Friday Fiscal Wellness Check:December 27, 2024

 


     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 20 to Thursday, December 26th.

Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs

  • I had massive grocery store order, trying the online order and pick up for the first time. This covered all the items for my contributions to both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals, plus food for my family with extra treats and requests. By doing the online, I didn't put extra end cap items.
  • Unfortunately, they only put one of two of the 4 pound boneless hams I needed. I also realized a few other things aren't on my list, but I managed a quick in and out stop at the local grocery for just what was on my list.(And the 4 pound boneless would have been plenty. I sent ham home with two sisters, also widows, plus had leftovers as there was no shortage of food options.)
  • Finally made the turkey. We'll be eating it for weeks, plus got a huge pot of soup made. Some of both turkey and soup went to family. Last night was a delicious turkey pot pie. 
  • Used greeting cards I already had for the neighbors when I delivered their mini Bundt cakes.
  • Had a 10% coupon for Fleet Farm to stock up on kitten food and the specific canned food that my daughter's picky cat will eat. It's not huge savings for me as the kitten eats dry and a big bag lasts a long time, but for my daughter, the extra 10% if timed saves her $3 a week.

Spent Intentionally

  • Finished all odds and ends shopping, including the cash to top off my kids and godson's gift. I stayed in budget overall including extra food and baking supplies. 
  • I was very restrained regarding Christmas shopping (clearance), having inventoried and decided we only needed ribbon and maybe gift bags for next year. Really, I could be fine with neither.  I didn't even attempt the crowds clammerimg for deals yesterday. I'll keep an eye out for the next few weeks as the real mark downs happen. 

Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls 

  • I had back to back $4 CVS bucks, using both to get food shelf items of cereal and more canned soup. Then, received another $2 off coupon used for one more can. It's a windfall for someone and with no school this week, easy meals for kids are high on the food shelf needs list. 
  • I got a $37 electric rebate from our power co-op. From what period of time, you might ask? 2002-2003! I had to reread the dates.

     Then, there are often other things that impacted my check book that came up without much planning or notice, an all out splurge. 

  • Really, not too much to add. As I needed to charge my social batteries before Christmas, I stayed home not spending and avoided online shopping too. I also stayed home on Thursday when my son and younger daughter took their grandma out for lunch. I didn't need another rich meal nor the cost. 
  • I may have to repurchase tickets to something for my MIL. I had cleared dates with her, but she forgot and scheduled travel with her sisters over the same date I got play tickets. The box office has been closed for the theater so haven't been able to reach them to see if I could just change to the following weekend. If not, I'll treat a friend and get tickets to something else. 
     It's my last payday of the year. I will pay all bills today, deposit sinking funds and emergency savings, and what's left minus a bit of reserve, will pad my medium term savings. It's the last check that will be without  my 401K set aside, so I'll be back to a modest take home, enough to cover the bills, sinking funds, and emergency deposit, but that's about it. I should be sitting ok with taxes after making the big adjustment in March to have more taxes taken out to offset my CD interest. We're going for lunch today or tomorrow at the all you can eat Sushi place, though I'll have other items. It's my last splurge for the year, and I guess my family's new tradition the week of Christmas. My next Friday Fiscal Wellness Check will be to start the new year. Then, things need to get serious as I want all of March living expenses set aside as there'll be a delay before I start receiving my retirement withdrawal. 



Comments

  1. SharonDecember 27, 2024 at 8:58 PM

    I really like these posts. I think, if not posting my own, I might have to start keeping a tally for myself written down. Husband is hoping to retire within a few years and it's time to make sure we're on track, watching what we spend, not depriving ourselves, but really thinking about what we spend and why. I think I've said this before, but I really like the way you balance the necessities with treats as well!

    ReplyDelete

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