Sam Squared

           The Friday post is my personal accountability to review in where my funds are going and look for stupid spending in hopes of improvement.  This is my summary from Friday, December 13 to Thursday, December 19th. Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs The only groceries this week was bread, milk, cheese, a few munchies, and bananas. I ran out of coffee filters and disinfectant wipes so grabbed them as well.  I used freebie codes from the Holiday station store game for a free hot chocolate on a bitter cold Friday, and an additional 15¢ off gas.  Still had a few beers and hard lemonade for Vikings game watching. 12-2 baby, let's go! SKOL!!! Brought a treat platter for trivia that was enjoyed by my team and the host, plus a few other patrons. I sent the leftovers with my friends for their daughter as I have loads more of all for other holiday events.  Free exercise. Well, I shoveled and that's always a work out even when it's not heavy...

      We'll get a White Christmas. The 3-4 inches expected is a nice amount for me. It covers the ugly dry, brown, dead vegetation with fresh blankets of white. It's enough for those that like sledding or ski runs to enjoy their hobbies, and I like the freshness of the air after a snowfall. I hate shoveling, but this is a manageable amount. My daughter shared this photo of grandpup looking out her living room window. It was too cute not to share with you all. 

      Photos from pexel.com.      After a full day Friday at work, covering an extra mailbox as my data systems person took the day off (and also this past Monday and Tuesday), an evening out with my kids for my son's birthday, and a full day Saturday with my siblings at the play and then later book discussion, I was worn out on Sunday. But, having neglected even staying up on basic household tasks like laundry, bathrooms and floors, I spent Sunday getting caught up. Plus, I still had Oreo Truffles and Peanut Blossoms I wanted to make. Next weekend I'll make quick breads/ mini cakes for neighbors, but I don't have the freezer space to do in advance. I splurged on this adorable mini Bundt pan to make copy cat bundtinis like Nothing Bundts . (I'll share pictures late.) Actually, I  spent just $5 at Home Goods on clearance.       I've often heard from other retirees that their lives sometimes feel like all or nothing. They either are p...

    Photo from pixel.com free photos.       I had a nice time yesterday with my siblings/ their spouses plus a cousin to round out our group. We were 14 at a Dinner Theater matinee for White Christmas , then later (after dicey roads from sleet) to my sister's for book discussion, some cards, and of course more food. The venue was packed, weekends sold out in August. Grease is starting on January 31 and apparently there's just a handful of dates left with tickets, weeknights only. I noticed last weekend the movie theater was packed too. People are traveling again in record numbers, vacations and return to family gatherings.       And, everyone I know wants to have less stuff. Sure, those just starting out have needs to fill homes or get a work appropriate wardrobe, or a better car for their driving needs. I'm not hearing about a lot of wants of things being prioritized. I am splurging on things like tickets to an event over more shoes or...

     This sort of spending recap is for self accountability on how intentional I've been the last week and if I can find flaws that might help me make fiscally better decisions in the future.  This is my summary from Friday, December 6 to Thursday, December 12th. Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs I did not want to go out Wednesday when temps got to 0°, but recalled my $4 CVS Extra Care bucks were going to expire. I signed into the app and ordered to pick up Thursday two cans of Progresso soup 2/$4. We always can use canned soup for an easy lunch or supper, or an easy item for food bank/ little free pantry donation.  I had another $4 off anything at CVS. I stopped on route to PT and stocked up on canned tuna, another food pantry option. Picked up the last of a Kohl's order on route home from the office, savings a trip to the next town up the highway.  Spent Intentionally Grocery and household spending was through the roof last Saturday, but much was to repl...

           I've had a few weeks of lunch and dinner meetups with people that I've not seen for a while. I met a friend for lunch in early November, met in the workplace- first I reported to her and then as my career took off, she reported to me the last decade I was there. I met a more recent colleague/ friend that works in a different branch of our enterprise now, but she was who recruited me to my job. Then last week calendars finally worked to meet up for dinner with another friend of over 30 years, also met through the work place. This is just examples of so many friends that have come through work. Not surprising since 40 hours a week or more have been spent with these people at different points of my life.       It does give me pause;  how will I keep staying connected to people in my past and forge new friendships that align with my change in lifestyle. I know I'm retiring years earlier than most of my friends. Some, because ...