Friday Fiscal Wellness Check December 20, 2024

     


     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 or a lot of snow. 
  • Added this one: used the last of a pork loin, a few potatoes, and green beans and made a stew that really hit the spot after the snowy day. It meant getting a full extra meal from odds and ends.

Spent Intentionally

  • Took my family out for Mexican food first sons birthday. 
  • I spent $30 on additional tip and two desserts for my oldest sister and myself at the dinner theater. Mine was an amaretto Pink Squirrel and hers, cheesecake. My sister doesn't have a lot of spare funds and picking up this little treat (that was in addition to the $80 ticket) was a small pleasure for me. I had budgeted extra funds for this. 

Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls 

  • Received a $4 CVS Extra Care bucks reward towards anything by 12/24.

     Then, there are often other things that impacted my check book that came up without much planning or notice, an all out splurge. It was a good week to not do too much additional splurging. 

  • I bought a $5 mini Bundt pan, but I think it'll give me smiles so worth the price. 
I have a few last day purchases before Tuesday. I've stayed within my Christmas budget and that's always a good thing for the year. 

Comments

  1. AnonymousDecember 20, 2024 at 9:09 AM

    I added up our 2024 spending & that always helps me understand our budget and plans for 2025. It's a lot of work to track, but I feel like it keeps me accountable and gives us really good insight into where the money is going. I also use the EOY to track our net worth, overall savings trends, etc. It was an expensive week for us, as I made my son's second tuition payment for college! (Hawaii Planner)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMDecember 20, 2024 at 8:25 PM

      I'm going to really need to be on my budget game in 2025. Health insurance is the killer to my budget in retirement, but I know I can save in other areas without sacrificing quality of my life.

      Delete
  2. MELODY JACOBDecember 20, 2024 at 10:58 AM

    It looks like you did a great job of staying mindful of your spending this week, balancing necessary purchases with intentional splurges. It's awesome that you managed to make use of leftovers and found small ways to save, like using freebie codes and shoveling for exercise. Plus, sticking to your Christmas budget is always a win!

    I just shared a helpful new post; you're welcome to check it out. Wishing you a happy holiday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMDecember 20, 2024 at 8:26 PM

      I'll definitely pop over. Tomorrow is wrapping day. I will give each of my kids a bit of cash and that's about the last of my spending.

      Delete
  3. AprilDecember 20, 2024 at 1:49 PM

    I'm impressed! Well done, Sam!

    ReplyDelete
  4. SharonDecember 20, 2024 at 8:24 PM

    Sounds like a good financial week. I like how you have savings, but you also see the value in spending and treating family, friends AND yourself! You deserve a treat

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMDecember 20, 2024 at 8:27 PM

      It seems I like to balance being money aware but not being a cheapskate at the expense of celebrating with my family and friends.

      Delete
  5. LindaDecember 20, 2024 at 11:10 PM

    I should remember, but how many years will you be eligible for Medicare after you retire?

    ReplyDelete
  6. CelieDecember 21, 2024 at 2:50 PM

    You've done really well and the holidays can be expensive, even without going over the top. But time with family and friends is worth the costs adding up. Does your employer offer any reduced rate health insurance plans? Mine does, using the value of accrued sick leave. Although I was already 65 when I retired, but a lot of people retire early and use that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMDecember 21, 2024 at 5:29 PM

      No, in fact it's more than if we went private for my daughter, but I worry about her preexisting needs and getting adequate coverage with her current doctors.

      Delete

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