Cheap and easy work breakfasts

30. March 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Dining out, Food · Tags: breakfast, cheap eats, eating at work

As I walk through the food court on my way to work, I’m amazed at the number of people I see buying breakfast. The line up at McDonald’s is always long, and takes forever to get through. I can understand going out for an occasional treat, but every day? As far as I can tell, it doesn’t seem to save you time to buy breakfast, and it definitely doesn’t save you money. Depending on what you get, you can spend at least 3 to 5 dollars a day on breakfast. That can add up to 25 bucks a week, and that’s 100 a month! That’s 1200 bucks a year, which can get you a nice week somewhere warm on a beach!

Mr. Canuck Buck used to buy a tea biscuit every day. I was always on him to change his ways because the biscuit had no protein and just ended up leaving him hungry. I started making breakfast sandwiches for both of us and he got hooked.

Here are some great breakfast you can either prepare at work, or make ahead at home and bring in.

1) Bagel or toast with peanut butter or cream cheese. Total cost should be less than 5 bucks a week.

2) Instant oatmeal. Just bring a box in and you’re set! Total cost – 3 to 4 dollars a week. I’ve also cooked up “Scottish” oatmeal, divided it up into portions, and then reheated it at work.

3. Hard boiled eggs. Just boil them all up on Sunday night and you’re good for the week. Should be no more than 2-3 dollars a week.

4. Cereal with milk. Just leave a box at work, and some milk in the fridge. If you’re really cheap, you can use the milk work supplies for coffee, but I suggest you bring your own. I’ve often done cereal and milk at work, and just bring in fresh fruit every day to put on top of it.

5. Make ahead breakfast sandwiches. Take some bread, or those “thin” bagels, lunch meat, and cheese, and make up sandwiches for the week. Bag them and put them in the freezer. They’ll thaw on the way to work, and you just heat them when you get there!

What kind of breakfast do you have at work? Do you have any ideas I’ve missed here?

Playing the lottery – is it ever worth it?

29. March 2012 · 1 comment · Categories: Entertainment

I stopped by customer service in the grocery store today to return a box of burgers that had been subject to a recall. I suppose I could have lived on the edge and tried eating them anyways, but I really have no desire to find out how e.coli. feels.

I ended up having to wait several minutes as customer service also sells lottery tickets. And apparently Wednesday is a popular day to buy them. The women in front of me had such a complicated order that the clerk had to actually call her manager in order to figure it out.

I can understand picking up the odd scratch and win ticket or maybe even putting in a few times a year when a really big jackpot comes up. But to me, you’d have to look at the money the way I look at gambling – it’s entertainment. If I make money, fine. But if I lose it – well, I was entertained, and that’s part of the entertainment budget.

I remember sometimes buying scratch and win tickets before I was the legal age to do so and always thought it was so cool the clerk would let me. I guess they knew something I didn’t – that my chances of actually winning were pretty darned small!

I think lottery tickets can make a great gift for someone (as long as they’re not a recovering gambling addict), particularly if you’re not sure what to buy them or they really don’t need any more stuff. In this case, the tickets are a gift – so, you would have spent money on something anyways.

What I don’t get are people who lay out a fair amount of money each week – and even worse, people who count on winning the lottery as a retirement plan. I think your odds of winning the big jackpot are lower than the odds of getting hit by lightning, and most people aren’t hopping for that to happen.

I guess what I’m saying is – if you can afford to play the lottery, and you aren’t sacrificing other things for it (you know, like those pesky bills or your retirement funds), then go for it. But – know your limit, playing within it!

Do you ever play the lottery? If so, why? I’ve really only played in work pools because of that horrible fear that everyone bu you will win…

Living cashless – does it cause you to spend more or less?

27. March 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Cash

I just read an article on Slate about one of their writer’s spending 2 months without cash. The writer explains about where some of his pain points were (not everybody wants to accept debit or credit), but concluded he liked living without cash he definitely liked some of the rewards you get from using credit cards. As well, he said he actually thought more about what he was spending when he used his credit card then when he used cash.

I found that point interesting because when people are trying to get out of debt or break their spending habits, a lot of financial gurus recommend that you stop using credit cards and just use cash. One of the best known people in Canada to do this is Gail Vaz-Oxlade, the host of “Til Debt do us part”. I love this show and I think I’ve seen every episode – twice! For anyone on the show who truly puts an effort in, living on just cash really seems to help them. I think the fact that cash is tangible certainly helps, but I think the big thing that helps is they only have so much of it. I’m not sure if they had the same limit on a credit card if they would be just as successful or not.

I have to admit that putting things on the credit card does not make me think more about what I’m spending. In fact, when the bill comes in at the end of the month, I’m always shocked at how much it is! I do like credit cards in that they help keep track of where I’m spending (I realize debit would too, but I’m just not a fan of debit) and they give me nice points! But, I think they can also cause expenses just to creep up on you.

What would you prefer, given the choice to try and reign in your spending – only cash or only credit cards?

Have you checked out the library lately?

26. March 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Cheap activities, Free Stuff · Tags: library

It’s really amazing what you can find at your local library these days. I realize that depending on the size and location of wherever you live, you may not be able to find everything I list here, but you’re still sure to find something you’ll like! Here’s a list of all the *free* things I have access to thanks to my library:

Books. Yes, people still read books. Hard covers, soft covers, best bets. Large print. Audio books as well. ine has a “7 day loan section” which I used recently to get out “The Hunger Games”. I’d have had to wait forever for it otherwise! Getting books out for kids is a particularly good idea – they can have exposure to lots of different books without it costing you a fortune – or clogging up your house!
DVDs – Great selection of movies for kids and adults. Usually you can take them out for 7 days. Coming in ahead of something like March or Christmas break and “stocking up” can help keep the kids (or you!) busy and from going stir crazy if the weather is bad.
Video games. This is a fairly recent addition. Mine has video games for various platforms, including the Wii, Xbox and Nintendo DS. Video games can run anywhere from 20 to 50 dollars a pop, and often you find out you don’t really enjoy a game after you get it. Getting them out of the library enables you to have a free test run.
Ebooks. A lot of people don’t know about this, but many libraries offer eBooks you can download directly from their Web site. These are the ultimate in cost saving – you don’t even have to leave your house to get them. They become locked on your eReader (that is, you can’t read them any more) when your time is up, but they’re never overdue, and you don’t have to remember to return them.
Free and legal music downloads. This is quite new – but I can download 3 songs each week – legally from Freegal Music. They’ve got everything from the latest hits to heavy metal. Your library has to subscribe to their service to access it.

Also remember that libraries over Internet access and activities for adults and children. So, if you haven’t been lately, I recommend you check out your local library!

Part 5 of 5: Save money on clothes at regular stores – at sale time!

23. March 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Clothing · Tags: sales

This is part 5 of a 5 part series on saving money on clothes. If you haven’t already read them, please check out part 1 on shopping in your own closet, part 2 on having a clothing swap, part 3 on shopping at thrift shops, and part 4 on shopping at discount department stores

Now we come to the most expensive option – shopping at “regular” stores. This can still be a frugal option – the thing is, you have to make sure you catch the sales!

The thing I find strange about stores is that they stock everything ahead of the season. For example – you can buy a lawnmower in March, but not a shovel. With the amazing weather we’re having right now, I don’t really need a shovel right now. However, one winter when I did need one in March, not being able to find one was really frustrating!

So – the key to find stuff on sale is actually shop in the season you need it – a bit later in the season if you can. I picked up deeply discounted shirts last summer (to go with the great skirts I got a Winners).

My thing is – I’m never organized enough to buy clothes ahead of the time I need them – I only realize I need them once the weather changes and I realize I don’t have anything that fits. So – in this case, procrastination actually is your friend!

What’s the best thing you’ve ever gotten on sale?

Part 4 of 5: Saving money on clothes at discount department stores

22. March 2012 · 2 comments · Categories: Clothing

This is part 4 of a 5 part series on saving money on clothes. If you haven’t already read them, please check out part 1 on shopping in your own closet, part 2 on having a clothing swap and part 3 on shopping at thrift shops.

I’ll admit it. I love Winners. I love the crazy stuff you can find there, and I love the fact that it can change from day to day and you never know what you’ll find there. The most recent thing I found at Winners was something that purported to be an exercise suit – if you put it on while you exercised you’d burn way more calories. Frankly, I think it looked like the model had basically put a garbage bag on, but that’s just me.

I know I’m not alone in my love of Winners – there are 2 of them within a 10 minute walk from me at work, and both of them are packed over the lunch hour (and I’ll be honest – it’s mostly women). They do a pretty brisk business. I think on the whole their prices are pretty good (I picked up 3 skirts there last summer for a total of 80 dollars), but shopping at Winners is definitely not for the faint of heart. Things are sorted to a certain extent by size and by type, but it can be overwhelming to look through a rack of things tightly crammed in together. And frankly – some of the stuff they stock is quite hideous and I really don’t know who’d buy it.

Another option is Joe Fresh. I have yet to buy anything there (I was trending towards the larger sizes for a while, and I’m not sure if Joe Fresh stocks those), but I do recall admiring a co-workers skirt last year and she said it was Joe Fresh. So it’s on my to do list now that I’ve managed to shrink down a bit.

I gotta admit – I’m not huge on Wal-Mart or Zellers for clothes – although I did find a good bathing suit at Zellers last year and picked up a few belts there as well (although they are starting to umm..flake bit). I don’t have kids, so I can’t comment on whether they are a good place to shop for kid’s clothes, but I generally don’t like how their clothing looks, even if the prices are cheap.

Have I missed any good stores? What’s been your best discount department store purchase?

Part 3 of 5: Saving money by shopping in thrift shops

21. March 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Clothing

This is part 3 of a 5 part series on saving money on clothes. If you haven’t already read them, please check out part 1 on shopping in your own closet and part 2 on having a clothing swap.

I have to admit, I haven’t always been a big thrift shop person. I don’t know if it was pride or just laziness (generally, I only buy clothes when someone drags me out and forces me to). Or I just didn’t think of it. I’m really not sure. That all changed when Mr. Canuck Buck’s Aunt took me out shopping.

She *loves* thrift stores. I swear the clerks actually recognize her when she shows up. She knows where to find the stuff that just came in, and how to quickly spot if anything has a serious flaw in it.

The first time I went shopping with her, I picked up 2 pairs of dress pants at no more than 10 dollars a pair. That’s a lot less than they would have cost me in the store new. And they were in perfectly good shape. No one has ever pointed at me and gone “Hey, nice thrift store pants!” Not yet, anyways..I also picked up a lovely dress for my niece for less than 8 bucks.

The second time I needed a decent winter coat. I got a really nice one for 40 dollars. Now – that may seem high for a thrift store, but I’m happy to support a good cause (the Salvation Army in this case). And it’s a good, warm coat. Which is a must in a Canadian winter (although not at the moment – it’s crazy warm out!). I also picked up a few things for a friend’s new baby – one shirt still had the tags on it!

So, I highly recommend thrift stores. Your main choices in Canada are Goodwill, Value Village, and the Salvation Army. There are lots of ways to save extra at these places:

- The Salvation Army offers coupons and senior’s discount every day.

- Value Village offers a Super Savers Club

- Goodwill has special events. There’s a “Friday Fever” coming up this week!

What’s your best thrift store find? Mine isn’t that recent – the best I ever got was a great “Catholic schoolgirl” outfit I wore many years ago for Halloween.

Part 2 of 5: Save money on clothes by having a clothing swap

20. March 2012 · 4 comments · Categories: Clothing

This is part 2 in a 5 part series on how to save money on clothes. If you haven’t already done so, please check out part 1 of 5: Saving money on clothes by “shopping” in your own closet.

If you can’t find anything in your own house you can use to expand your wardrobe without going shopping, maybe you can find it in someone else’s! Clothing swaps are a great way to get rid of things you no longer want or need, and hopefully take home some new items.

With luck, you’ll have a rich friend who is exactly your size, and gets rid of her clothes after wearing them a few times. In reality though, you may not know a lot of people who are your size. I’m fairly tall, so I’ve never been able to get clothes from any of my friends. I have, however, been able to get shoes from a few people who no longer wanted them, including some seriously awesome new high boots. The key to a successful clothing swap is to try to include as many people as possible – the more people that comes, the more likely you are to find someone with clothes you can use.

I just read an article about a “Fashion Week” clothing swap. If you’re someone who likes high end clothes, then this kind of thing can be fantastic! For every item you donate, you get a “chit” that’s redeemable for another item.

Have you ever participated in a clothing swap? What’s the best item you’ve ever gotten for free from someone else?

Part 1 of 5: Saving money on clothes by “shopping” in your own closet

19. March 2012 · Write a comment · Categories: Clothing · Tags: avoid shopping, use what you have

I’ve decided to do a 5 part series this week on how to save money on clothes. I’m going to range from the cheapest and easiest options, to the more expensive options, that cover how to wisely part with your hard earned bucks.

The quickest and easiest way to save money on clothes is just to go shopping in your own closet. Most people own far more clothes than they actually use, and a lot of them just don’t get worn because you’ve forgotten about them, or they’re hidden in the back of a closet or a box somewhere.

In my case, I’ve been optimistic and saved my clothes over the years as I have gained weight (sigh..). I have finally started kicking myself into gear and lost a decent amount of weight. When it got to the point my largest pants were starting to fall off me, I simply brought out the box of clothes I’d saved, and pulled out smaller pairs of pants. I did the same thing when I went down another size. If I go any further though, I’ll have to go out and buy something (cheaply, mind you!).

Reusing older clothes isn’t always a viable option – I have some dresses I’ve saved as well, and they fit again, but I’m not sure they’re still..flattering on me. I think I’ll try to lose a little more weight and see how they fit then.

So -next time you’re thinking “Wow, I really need X item”, try going through your closets, drawers, and boxes, and see if you already have it. It’ll be a great exercise in spring cleaning as well.

Happy hunting! What’s the best piece of clothing you’ve ever “found” that you already owned?

How a cancelled social engagement saved me money

15. March 2012 · 4 comments · Categories: Dining out · Tags: food, meeting people

I was supposed to meet a group of people for lunch today. After showing up and waiting for 10 minutes (and feeling extremely awkward of sitting alone at a table for 8!), I gave up and bought a sandwich and returned to the office. They had cancelled the lunch, but having rushed there straight from a meeting, I missed the notice. And apparently the restaurant didn’t remember to cancel the reservation.

So – while this was extremely annoying, I figure there is an upside.If I’d gotten food at the restaurant, it’d have cost me at least 12 bucks. The sandwich cost me 6 bucks. So – 6 bucks saved!

Moral of the story – every cloud has a silver lining. And some money saved. So, next time something gets cancelled (on short notice!), try not to think of it as a bad thing. Think of it as an opportunity to save money!

Ever had anything cancelled that, while disappointing, at least save you a few bucks?