Friday Fiscal Wellness Check February 14, 2025

      

     The world is crazy now. I'm trying for sanity in my little corner of it, taking care of my needs and helping family and friends when I'm in a position to do so. I'm still a bit nervous about my financial picture when I have no paycheck and will need to live entirely off retirement savings, give or take a bit of side earnings. Life's sure expensive, but I'm focused on maximizing my finances without being like Scrooge. This is my summary for Friday, February 7th to Thursday, February 13th.

Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs

• Skipped an in office trip this week, saving gas
• My thrifty but ample and dare I say decadent Super Bowl spread was well received. I used what we term "orphan" paper plates, napkins,  beer and wine left from other events. I did have some football napkins and serving piece's to pep it up a bit. It was just my family and a friend but still made an event from it.
• You never know what Dollar Tree may have. I like to get shelf stable milk, almond and 2%, to keep on hand from DT. The taste of both when cold is just the same and I mostly use for cooking anyway. The good deal was finding Pacific Red Pepper and Tomato soup for $1.25 carton. These are $4+ in grocery stores. I grabbed five on Friday, but later made another stop for five more as my daughter is having another oral procedure so will need soft food again. 
• Free exercise shoveling though we did not get near the snow originally predicted. Bonus, the son of my neighbor happened to stop by their house, grabbed a shovel, and helped me get the chunky heavy plowed bits. I got a catch-up with him. My youngest is between him and his younger brother age wise and they all grew up together. Both grew into terrific young men. We got a dusting on Wednesday too so a bit more. 
• Used up rice krispies cereal from Christmas treats to make both marshmallow and the pb and chocolate treats for the game.
• Had my eye exam and had the technician adjust my glasses so they fit better while I was there. I also brought my cleaning solution bottle for a free refill. 

Spent Intentionally

• Did one large shop to hopefully get to the end of my month( the 26th) with just small top ups of fruit, veg, bread. My goal was to reduce the Household and Grocery spend by 20% of my budget. I might make it as pantry and freezer are fairly stocked. 
• Entertainment was Super Bowl and family time, streaming shows/ movies, reading book from library, plus one I got used for one of the book clubs for $6 including postage (because I was too far down list ) and one drink out playing trivia, ($8 with tip). I let my BritBox and Paramount expire. 

Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls 

• Added receipts to Fetch and played MS Rewards towards gift cards. 
• Reviewed for any missing opportunities for my 2024 flex account and found another $105 to submit by the deadline. 

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

• While I used a 30% Kohl's to replace my daughter's blender and toaster, it wasn't an expense I planned. She needs these items in her apartment or she'll easily avoid eating food at her home. Yes, she could have bought herself since she got a bit of a rent credit, but her work and school plans still not settled, she'd have put off replacing them even longer. Mom's prerogative. 
• Couldn't resist getting a couple outfits for the next door neighbors new baby, plus a gift card so they could order take out or go to Applebee's on one of those kind of days new parents experience. Having good neighbors is priceless and they are the sweetest young couple. 
• But...with these purchases, I also got my MIL a Mother's Day gift, two dish towels to replace two thrown after Christmas, women's sports socks on clearance and definitely a need, and two pretty placemats for the kitchen table. These small purchases got me to $100 and I earned $20 Kohl's cash plus another $5 for store pickup and more rewards dollars. 
• One of the Mom's reached out for an impromptu dinner out. We haven't all been able to get together since August due to surgery's, cancer treatment, parental care, and life. It was the best way to shake off a challenging Monday and I do not regret spending a penny. Plus, we were frugal ladies and used discounts plus unbeknownst to us, Monday is free pie day at Perkins. So frugal splurge and I ate and enjoyed every bit of my French Silk. 

     Daily Dinner Diary  ( just Friday, Feb 7 to yesterday, Thursday, February 13th)

• Fri - Aldi red bag chicken with spinach, avocado, and cucumber salad 
• Sat- Smoked sausage with dirty rice 
• Sun-  Super Bowl spread 
• Mon-  Leftovers from weekend, me Perkin's cheeseburger and fries
• Tues - Cod, brown rice, sweet garden peas 
• Wed-   Baked bbq chicken thighs, baked cheesy hash browns, cucumbers 
• Thurs- Goulash, broccoli, and corn 

  Looking over the last week and can see why the pounds that came in since Thanksgiving are slow to run away. Too much added cheese and not enough vegetables and way too many simple carbs.