No amount of money would make me want to do this..........

Here in Ontario/Canada, we have had a new budget released from both the Provincial and Federal Governments this past week.  Neither has benefited hubby or I personally.  As with all things, some things we agree with, some we don't.

Now, that is where this blog post title comes into play.  Would you want to be a politician?  I know I wouldn't because to my mind no one is ever happy with everything you do.  There is always someone complaining about what you have, or have not done.  There is never enough money to pay for everything........mind you that doesn't seem to stop them from spending money willy-nilly.

We were brought up to only spend what we have, and if we have to borrow money (i.e. mortgage) you have a plan of action on how to repay the money?  We were brought up not to lie.  So I am guessing I would make a terrible politician 😏

I wonder why people want to be politician's?  

We're living in crazy times that's for sure.........

It's been a few months since I last did a blog post.  Between now and then all sorts of things has happened, but none as dramatic as the Covid-19 crisis that is exploding world wide.

I have been in two minds about jumping back into the blogging bandwagon but I feel I may have useful information to help us through these trying times, that could help out in a small way?  Some things people already know what to do, others may not.  Also each country has set up different systems to deal with this crisis.  Also each person/family is dealing with this crisis in their own different way.

In our family we are fortunate that so far everyone is still managing to work; either from home or still at their place of work.  Daycare's and school's are closed but the grandkids are lucky to be able to be at home with one or both parents.  I must admit I am missing them like crazy, but thanks to modern technology I can see and talk to them frequently.  However it's not the same as being able to give them a hug, but that will happen soon enough.

One thing I think that has affected probably everyone is the panic buying of food and supplies.  It has happened all over the world and I think some have suffered more than other's.  Personally I think things are beginning to settle down; at least in my area, as the shelves in the stores are a little more fuller.  I know I have had to alter the way I do things and for the first time in my adult life I was concerned about whether or not we would be able to get fresh fruit and veggies...……...and no I wasn't one of the crazies that bought all the toilet paper...……….never did understand why people were bulk buying toilet paper? 

As I said so far everyone is still working in the family, but no job is 100% secure and if we were to rely on the government to support us we would be unable to cover all our bills and still be able to eat!!  So over the next few days I will do various posts about various topics to help us through these trying times.  If there is anything you want me to cover please ask.

I already make 90% of our meals from scratch and now it's up to 100% so will share some cheap and easy meal ideas.  I will go over how to budget and save money doing various things.  Also I am hoping between us all we will be able to come up with various ideas that will help us all not just now, but in the weeks and months after this crisis is over with.

Finally:

And please stay safe and listen to what your government is saying about social distancing!

November Grocery review and NINE WORDS WOMEN USE

Well I am closing out the month of November and must say although I said I wanted to stay under $300, with there being 5 Saturday's in the month of November that would have been super hard for me to do. I did manage to stay under $75 a week which in itself was an achievement, and ended up spending $371.77, with $133.03 in savings, which I am pleased about.

I am stocked up on coffee and paper towel. Don't need shower gel for the next 6 months either!!! Also stocked up on Tylenol for dh, although I will be taking advantage of that this month, as the expiry date is the middle of 2010, so will make sure I have enough until then. The freezers are pretty full, and as long as I am organized with my menu planning everything will be good.

I also got enough points from Shopper's Drug Mart that I can cash in for $200 worth of free product from their store, but I think I will leave those until next year.

There are only 4 Saturday's in the month of December, so I will budget $300 for this month, along with $100 in savings.

I got this email from Linda the other day, its so true!!! Pass this on to a man in your life!!!

(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.

(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!

(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . that will bring on a 'whatever').

(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying F-- YOU!

(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.



* Send this to the men you know, to warn them about arguments they can avoid if they remember the terminology.



* Send this to all the women you know to give them a good laugh, cause they know it's true!!!

End of October, start of November.......

so I have closed off the month of October for my grocery shopping. I went over my goal of $300, by $1.18. Which actually isn't as bad as I thought it may have been. I did well by saving $133.94 this month using coupons and free product coupons. October's budget did include Halloween candy, so that was $30 there.

I am going to to try for $300 again for the month of November, and try for $100 in savings. It's made a difference me planning my menu, and doing the inventory of my freezers.

This is for me and dh, and we are in Canada.

Talking of menu plans, here is mine for the upcoming week.

Sat: Pork Chops, Ceaser Salad and Baked Potatoes
Sun: Turkey Breast Roast, cabbage, carrots, stuffing & gravy
Mon: Homemade mac and cheese
Tue: Marinated Chicken Breast, garlic bread & Ceaser Salad
Wed: Meatballs in gravy, mashed potatoes and peas
Thu: Homemade Fish Cakes & Ceaser Salad
Fri: Pasta with either meat sauce or shrimp in sauce

As you can see its heavy on the Ceaser salad again, but I want to use this dressing up. Will probably have enough for a couple meals next week as well. There is a sale on for shrimp in sauce, so as long as I can get it, it will be shrimp, if its sold out (wouldn't be surprised if it is), then it'll just be meat sauce.

Also I cleaned out my coupon wallet for month end and that also gave me a chance to see what I have as far as coupons are concerned. I am starting out this month with four Free Product Coupons, which is a good start. I did a couple of swaps last month, and those coupons came in.

What's your grocery budget for the month of November?