Posts

Final Two Months of 2026

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      2026 is feeling faster than more recent years. Maybe because I was just trying to get from one month, one date of significance to the next, and living in a bit of limbo. I actually feel like I'm more in an acceptance mode, but more than that, a forward thinking mode. Even how I feel I'm approaching the year end holidays feels more forward thinking. I've got family birthday celebrations and Thanksgiving to enjoy before really turning attention to Christmas. I'm puttering though on the Christmas edges. Notice I said enjoy and not my phrase of the last three year, "to get through."       Even with staying on the edges, there's some time sensitivity I need to pay attention to. My calendar needs updating so I don't miss things I want to do and conflicts to avoid if possible. In some cases tickets to secure, which means dates to note ticket sales begin like a couple holiday concerts. I'm including all these extras as either in my holiday budget or ...
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Friday Fiscal Wellness Check October 30, 2026

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                                                                                                  For my Friday posts, I copy a previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This helps me add as the week goes on. Here's my recap of Friday, October 23 to Thursday, October 29. I list things as they come up.  Use it Up/Avoid Waste I've been eating all the soft foods I prepped ahead.  Used another of my daughters butternut squash in a vegan soup and sent half home with her.  Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs   Used local deals to get 12 cents per gallon back, at close of cc. I'll get the the 1.5% unlimited cash back too. I was tempted to get some lo mein noodles from the delicious Chinese restaura...
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No Spend Challenges?

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      Photo pexels.com  Tim Douglas      In tracking my spending this quarter and posting What I Spend,WIS, for 8 weeks, many noticed multiple no spend days. These were happenstance more than intent. I know there's different minds of what no spend challenges mean and if they are an effective budget management tool. I wasn't doing a no spend or low spend challenge, just tracking, but have been thinking about the strategy.       I've read opinions that they just cause delayed spending later, particularly if it's just putting off a purchase. Worse, the deprivation mindset might lead to overspend once the challenge is done. Also, that No Spend challenges can be more expensive as the self imposed closed wallet misses loss leaders or other opportunities to lower cost of living overall. It could mean not getting something fixed when it's minor only to have said item completely die before its time. These are all very valid points.     ...
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Friday Fiscal Wellness Check October 23, 2026

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                                                                                                For my Friday posts, I copy a previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This helps me add as the week goes on. I had a catch up weekend, and now. I'm sort of a druling mess as warned as my lower part of my mouth is still numb, but with more feeling each day. I'm really thinking juicy hamburgers and pizza,  but it'll be a bit.  Here's my recap of Friday, October 16 to Thursday, October 22. I list things as they come up.  Use it Up/Avoid Waste Changed furnace/AC filter as maintenance. I will need to restock by next month as that was the last on hand. Made navy bean soup with ham broth from the Easter ham bone. I...
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Travel Planning at Least on Paper

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      Clear skies ahead My mantra is I'll get through this financial stretch to end the year, then really hone in on my budget. I got a bit loosy tracking categories. While I had money set aside to pay for the cruise and ridiculous airfare, it was a bit of juggling. I plan to be much tighter with my travel account as part of sinking fund deposits.       Tamara at My Retirement Project posted a bit ago about travel plan's extended to 2030. That's fantastic for her, and some are not just planned but even booked. I really get inspired by her posts; truly creating an early retirement (at 50 if I'm correct) that aligns with goals for health, family, and friends, and with travel, now in comfort.      Anyway, as I've shared, my travel notebook is getting a lot of pages created for possible destinations and itineraries. I've got side notes as well as places to visit that might include a bit of condo looking. I just am not sure when or where, (or ev...
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Friday Fiscal Wellness Check. October 16, 2026

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                                                                                              I think I'm Blogger and phone glitch free for the time being. I've been reading other blogs and trying to comment but it was hit or miss. So many good posts the last few weeks! Blog world is a favorite frugal activity.      For my Friday posts, I copy a previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This helps me add as the week goes on. I thought I'd have a home focused week once home Sunday night, but forgot I had both a doctors appointment and consult with the oral surgeon referred by my dentist. I'm facing a wisdom tooth extraction.  The extended summer like weather changed what I wanted to spend time on Monday, ...
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Virtual Cash Stuffing

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      Aren't these fun budgeting envelopes? Photo Pexels.com      A new to me term, but for an old concept, is Cash Stuffing,  basically the envelope method of budgeting. I've tried it in the past, but the disadvantages for me outweigh the benefits. I don"t want hundreds and hundreds of cash sitting in envelopes. I want to both earn the interest, even if just a few dollars, by keeping cash in my HYSA until needed and get credit card rewards for groceries, gas, and miscellaneous categories.      I think my money management  though is sort of cash stuffing, but virtually. On the first of the month, I pay all my bills. Now, most are on automatic payment sometime later in the month, but I enter them all in my checkbook on day one. For expenses I put on credit card, I check the account frequently and use the feature that will seperate your spending by category. It's not perfect, particularly since I pick up different items in differently...
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