Sam Squared

           We've got some coolish weather and you'll not hear me complain. It's still warm and sunny at the peak of the day (other than yesterday's needed rain off and on all day), perfect for getting a natural vitamin D dose and a play with the dogs. I find when true fall weather starts, I get in a certain set of actions, or habits, most of which are good...but a few might need some tweaking.  I'm back to the early afternoon walks again. The pavement is safe for the dog and I don't get drained from the fall sun like I do in hot weather. This will help me get a bonus 2,000 steps into my days. I'll make at least one pot of soup each week. Sunday was a soup using up odd vegetables, chicken, broth from the freezer, chicken and egg noodles. I guess it was a cross between chicken noodle and chicken vegetable. It was very good. I'm thinking chicken wild rice soon and I have the ham bone from Easter taking up room so maybe bean soup, though I need to get navy...

     I'm going to continue to track my variable, discretionary spending through October as a full quarter of the year seems will be more representational than an ad hoc month. I'm listing What I Spend, WIS, as a way to get a better grip on any spending that isn't adding value or giving peace of mind. The past four weeks was an interesting start and a few patterns emerged I'd like to change. I know its dull blog content and highly personal, no universal guide intended on how anyone else should spend their funds. It's meant as a view of where my money is going,  not necessarily a challenge. Here's WIS, in the last week, rounded up to nearest dollar. Sunday:$ 23 Realized with my shopping last Thursday, I didn't account for a couple meals I wanted to make if my daughter was still here for the week or even part of the week, nor breakfast for her. $23  Monday: $0 Went no where, spent nothing. Tuesday: $98 (-$17 on a credit) I bought more water a few veg at the far...

                                                                                    First, this post seems unimportant landing on the 25 year memorial of the 9/11 attacks. I feel the way the country pulled together was eroded after the decades of war in the Middle East, the response to Covid, and now, whatever cause for hatred between people is bubbling over daily. Still, I'll keep sacred, the memory of all who were lost, all who have since been lost from that horrible day. I'll try to be better, kinder, more giving, more forgiving of what can be forgiven, and hoping for meaningful justice for what can't. I say this to myself regularly, often falling short.       For my Friday posts, I copy a previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the ...

           Life is expensive these days and this past week was no exception. Hold your wallets because this week was a money explosion above and beyond static expenses. I know I help out my kids, my youngest in particular, a lot. I can afford to in the overall allocation of my resources; I'm supporting in ways that make a difference in their lives today, not after I'm gone. Yes, my fall is really going to be expensive, but knowing my kids have safe homes, cars, and health care, is good for my well being. I try using my resources wisely and my kid's don't ask me for financial help. It's my prerogative to offer or just cover an expense. B ut, I confirmed lack of planning isn't a good financial strategy.  I'm tracking my variable, discretionary spending to get a better grip on any spending that isn't adding value or giving peace of mind. While boring blog content, it'll give me a good view of where my money is going,  not necessarily a challenge...

                                                                                  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, August 28 to Thursday, September 3. I just sort of list things as they come up. I know my WIS is somewhat redundant but my Fridays are a more overall check into how I'm doing in terms of financial wellness instead of daily tracking each expense.  Use it Up/Avoid Waste As my daughter stayed here, I sent her leftovers to work for her lunches. Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs   Got a credit on a shirt that I decided was smaller than I like for the cruise but the vendor didn't want it sent back. The shirt will work for my sister s...

      I probably get at least one question in my comments whenever I refer to "hotdish" as part of menu updates. While I understand to the rest of the world, the blend of a starch, a protein, and a veg with some sort of binder typically is called a casserole, it's just not in Minnesota.       The quintessential Minnesota hotdish is the Tator Tot hotdish. This Facebook post explains it perfectly. I think even if you don't have Facebook, you can use the link. I haven't made it in quite a while. If you're wondering, I use green beans, not corn. I do not line up the tots but a randomized layer. If you Google for recipes and see pictures using both green beans and corn, that's just plain wrong. I guess that's my hotdish line in the sand. Not just a tasty side for a burger... photo pexel.com