SaraCate

@SaraCate (184)

Canada • Age 45

Joined myLot 17 years ago

All Activity

SaraCate's Responses

Small things you do to be 'frugal'

maezee @maezee (41988) • United States 15 Mar 12

Yesterday me and my older sister hung out for a little bit and when we went to McDonalds for our $1 sweet teas, she asked for "very light ice". I looked at her kind of weird, and she told me that it's a better deal because you get...

16 responses •

4 people

SaraCate I, too, ask for no ice or light ice. :) We do several of the things others have mentioned - vinegar and baking soda for cleaning, taking lunches, and making FULL use of our library. Several other little things we do: I try to wash laundry exclusively...

16 Mar 12

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2 people

If you can choose your career, what would you want to be?

vivianchen @vivianchen (2646) • China 22 Oct 09

Whatever your work is now, you like or not, you will still have to work, because you need to work to live if you are not from a rich family. Some of you might not like your work, if you can choose, what career would you want to...

career

choose

to be

44 responses •

3 people

SaraCate I realize it's not the question in the post title, but I have to respond to one point in the original post: "You need to work to live if you are not from a rich family." I will preface by saying that I realize that North Americans are among the 'richest'...

24 Oct 09

What is your favourite way to eat Potatoes.

sandymay48 @sandymay48 (2030) • Canada 2 Mar 09

Tonight we are having poatoes again!..Oh no not again you say!! Well the potato is so versatile..There are so many ways to cook potatoes. They can be a side dish or an entire meal...Its all up to your...

favourite way to eat potatoes

73 responses •

13 people

SaraCate I haven't seen pierogis mentioned! We like pierogi 'lasagna': layer lasagna noodles, potatoes (I generally use mashed), and whatever pierogi fillings/potato topping you like: crumbled bacon/chopped ham, chives/herbs, onion (for this dish, I saute it with a...

3 Mar 09

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2 comments

What is the point of being married?

paula27661 @paula27661 (15811) • Australia 2 Mar 09

A new law has just been passed in Australia giving defacto couples the same rights as married couples in the event of a separation which entitles the non- married people to child maintenance and property settlement rights...

break up

defacto relationships

39 responses •

13 people

SaraCate I agree with the 'sacred union' view as well. However, for us, from a legal perspective, it makes life a lot easier. I am American; my husband is Canadian. We live in Canada and cross the border many times per year. Being legally married made getting my...

3 Mar 09

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1 comment

Give me your menu for Christmas Dinner?

marciascott @marciascott (25529) • United States 17 Dec 08

I don't know if I want to cook or not, I might goe over to my daughters, she is a very good cook. And What will you have what will you been doing for that day? Again Happy Holidays! and Have a Happy Year and a safe one!

holiday dinner

16 responses •

4 people

SaraCate We had our Christmas dinner this past weekend - we work when we do it around when my step-son will be with us, and the fact that we like Christmas Eve/Day to be as relaxed as possible. We started with - cheese tray with crackers/summer sausage; veggie tray,...

18 Dec 08

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1 comment

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1 person

Would you cut your cable or keep it for the kids?

silverglint @silverglint (2000) • Philippines 26 Nov 08

I have read in many budget and money saving articles that cable TVs are not necessities. I know and agree with the theoretically. I don't really mind losing the cable since I am barely home to watch TV anyway, but what made me...

27 responses •

5 people

SaraCate I think most positions have been covered already, but I wouldn't worry about maintaining cable for your kids' sake. I haven't had cable TV since I've been out of my parents' house. I know there are so many other things to do with the time that having extra...

27 Nov 08

Frugal Tradition

DCMerkle @DCMerkle (1281) • United States 10 Nov 08

In todays economy I know I am thinking more and more about the ways that my grandmother use to do hings to save money around the house. She did a lot of baking, cooking, sewing, coupon saving and things like that. I was wondering...

12 responses •

5 people

SaraCate We're not doing anything differently than we have for years - but I know I'm an exception, especially for my age. :) I'm a 29-year-old homemaker. The vast majority of our meals and baking are from scratch, including yeast breads (not as much work a folks...

13 Nov 08

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1 comment

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1 person

What are your goals for this month?

cutepenguin @cutepenguin (6431) • Canada 3 Nov 08

This month, I hope to: get my apartment completely organized pay down a lot of my debt (knock off at least 2000) start a logic puzzles blog. I really like logic problems and I've been writing them. What do you hope to...

logic puzzles

puzzles

4 responses •

1 person

SaraCate Continue making Christmas gifts Continue getting apartment purged/organized (currently working on primarily bedroom, secondarily living room) Finish cleaning 1/4 of in-laws basement so we can put a chest freezer there (this weekend, hope!) Buy a chest...

13 Nov 08

How Much Money Do You Plan To Spend On Christmas Gifts This Year

livinglegend7 @livinglegend7 (114) • United States 12 Nov 08

I am asking personel question about how much money you plan to spend on Christmas this year because, of the bad economy. I was talking to some of my friends and it seems like everybody is going to cut back a least 25% from last...

christmas

economy

gifts

15 responses

SaraCate We've always tried to maintain a low budget for gifts, as we make an effort to de-emphasize the 'consumer' side of the season within our circles. I don't know how much we spent last year - it wasn't a lot - but we're not 'consciously' cutting back. Gave lots...

13 Nov 08

Do you try to reduce fat in your meals?

mienkoos @mienkoos (95) • Netherlands 12 Nov 08

With today's empasis on healty meals, I watch how much fat I use and I try to search for alternatives for butter. I use more olive oil and when I bake I use sillicon bakemoulds to make sure I don't have to use a lot of butter....

olive oil

reduce fat

11 responses •

1 person

SaraCate We have always made an effort to eat relatively healthfully, but about 3.5 years ago, my husband (BF at the time) was diagnosed with extremely high cholesterol and triglycerides. What I didn't know is, at the time, he ate a slice or two of greasy pizza for...

13 Nov 08

Would you be offended?

silverglint @silverglint (2000) • Philippines 12 Nov 08

Just want to know your opinion about selling or giving away something that someone else gave you as a gift. Do you think its ok? Because what if I receive something that I do not have any use of and I thought of a friend who will...

gifts

giving away

selling

46 responses •

9 people

SaraCate Generally - the vast majority of the time - I support re-gifting an item in new condition that you don't want/need/love. As some previous posters have stated, the exceptions that should perhaps have more thought put into your choice around them are 'precious'...

13 Nov 08

Where did you spend all your online time BEFORE mylot?

James72 @James72 (26790) • Australia 6 Nov 08

I have been a member of mylot for around 2 and a half years now and have to admit that it eats up a considerable amount of my online time each week. I tried to think of what I did on the internet prior to mylot being around and...

before

mylot

online time

140 responses •

30 people

SaraCate As is obvious from my post number, Mylot is not a huge part of my life. I enjoy it once in a while. The other things I did on the net are pretty much the same as now: email, Craftster, one or two message boards I'm active on, research, recipes, occassional...

7 Nov 08

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1 comment

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1 person

Do you mind that your wife have a work?

neulichuang @neulichuang (85) • China 17 Sep 08

I am a Muslim, as Islam a woman would better stay in home and don't work.But now most of momen have work.A lot of women reject that,the women think no working is a kind of sexism.My wife is a Christian,and have a good job and good...

work

17 responses •

3 people

SaraCate I think this position has been covered, but I believe that whether a woman (or man, for that matter) works outside her home is between she and her husband. I have a university degree with some graduate coursework, and I worked full-time while I was single....

18 Sep 08

What kind of foods do you bring on a road trip???

ChristLikeFarmer @ChristLikeFarmer (563) • Philippines 18 Jun 08

Howdy mylotters! Pls tell me the foods you bring on a road trip. Im heading out next week it will be a long drive. Dont wanna go hungry on the road. Happy posting...

foods

2 responses

SaraCate When we're making a long journey, I generally make a loaf of sandwiches. Of course, these only last the frist leg of the trip - if we want more, we have to buy the fixings! Other foods we take are dried fruits, nuts, maybe pretzels...string cheese keeps...

18 Jun 08

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1 comment

What do you EAT for breakfast?

whyaskq @whyaskq (7523) • Singapore 23 Mar 08

I start taking breakfast after I read that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Bread, fruits and a cup of hot drink are what I usually eat for breakfast, occasionally buns and noodles. Recently, I read that most...

72 responses •

20 people

SaraCate In our home, we make sure to always eat *some* breakfast, even when we don't feel very hungry. We eat all types of food for breakfast, but very little cold cereal. This morning was homemade whole wheat blueberry muffins, which is a pretty traditional...

18 Jun 08

Do you ever make homemade blueberry waffles?

beautyqueen26 @beautyqueen26 (16030) • United States 16 Jun 08

This morning I had blueberry waffles for breakfast. I'm not usually a big waffle person. But I was hungry and they don't take long to prepare. I use the storebought variety and have never really liked the taste. And, they're...

blueberry

homemade blueberry waffles taste good

my life

11 responses •

1 person

SaraCate I have to second Gerty's comments about making waffles with 'healthy stuff.' We always do use half whole wheat flour here in muffines, waffles, and pancakes, and they are far more filling - not to mention higher protein, fiber, etc. Another thought I've not...

18 Jun 08

Canadian Freebie Forum

vicki2876 @vicki2876 (5636) • Canada 28 Nov 07

This is the best Canadian Freebie Forum I have found. Great White North Freebies http://s2.excoboard.com/exco/index.php?boardid=5429 You do have to sign up to see the freebies but this is where I get most of my freebie/survey...

best for free stuff

canadian

freebie site

great white north freebies

2 responses

SaraCate It's not *just* a freebie site, but you might give the Freebie forum at www.frugalshopper.ca a try. I just signed up for Great White North freebies, so I can't tell you whether there are a lot of duplicates or not!

12 Jan 08

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1 comment

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1 person

Seasonal knitter?

peavey @peavey (16936) • United States 15 Sep 07

Do you knit more when the weather is cool or cold? I find it hard to really get going when it's hot, but when it starts to cool off in the fall, I start getting all these ideas I want to make!

ideas

knit

weather

7 responses •

2 people

SaraCate Yes, I do. I knit some throughout the year, but more once late summer/fall sets in. I think there are a couple of reasons: as the weather turns colder, once winter is in 'full swing', I stay in more; Around the beginning of September, I start winter holiday...

18 Sep 07

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1 comment

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1 person

Cooking Eggplant

teek459 @teek459 (44) • United States 24 Aug 07

How in the world do I cook an eggplant. I have never tried it before. Need help bad.

cook

eggplant

help

6 responses •

2 people

SaraCate First - for many varieties of eggplant, you may want to slice first, salt, and rinse to draw out some bitterness. You could try cooking without doing this though, as not all varieties require it. Salting the eggplant also helps to collapse some of the air...

24 Aug 07

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1 comment

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1 person

Do you think baking bread or other food items saves you money?

cutepenguin @cutepenguin (6431) • Canada 19 Aug 07

One tip for saving money I've recently read is to bake your own breads. I just don't really see how that can save you money, because you have to buy the ingredients - most of which, actually, I have on hand, but it still costs...

baking

save money

26 responses •

5 people

SaraCate I realize a number of people have weighed in already, but my answer is: yes, I bake our bread, and yes, it saves money. The cheapest processed wehat loaf I can buy on sale at a discount grocery store ( in Toronto) is usuallyin the range of $1.50 a loaf. I...

24 Aug 07

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1 comment

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1 person