Friday Fiscal Wellness Check: Friday March 7, 2025
Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs
- I really needed a full pantry stock up of basics like my spices and standard baking supplies and condiments. My grocery bill was high, but still without much "fat". I avoided convenience food with exception of a couple rice sides, hummus, and jarred pasta sauce. I bought a few snacks, but nothing wild. I had to laugh at myself unpacking as there were multiple jars of dill pickles. Twice I went back for them thinking I had forgotten when I grabbed olives. Pickles keep so not a problem. I've loved having a pickle with my tuna sandwich or wrap. I made a sort of meal plan before leaving with the random things that needed using up but adapted to what was better values in the store. (Not much!)
- Best deal was a massive pork loin at $1.79 a pound. I put in the freezer but when I decide to thaw, I'll cut 1/2 into loin chops as a couple meals then cook the rest for pulled pork for a few more.
- I paid off all credit cards and utilities to avoid any later fees or interest charges.
- Since I was early with my Kohls cash two weeks ago, I ran in today as it was near the drop off for donating a bunch of old coats. I found a basic long sleeve sweatshirt for my son that I'll tuck away for his birthday. I also splurged on a large stove top griddle pan, which I've wanted forever to avoid making things like pancakes, grilled cheese, and French toast one at a time. I should have had this 20 years ago! All clearance was an additional 50% off bringing my out of pocket spend to 36¢.
Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls
- Added receipts to Fetch and played MS Rewards towards gift cards.
- The local school districts are all apparently moving to Teachers on Call for sub rosters. I updated everything in their portal. Today, I have a group interview to solidify, then I guess I can select which districts or private schools (including preschools and child care) I'd be willing to work. I thought maybe the week of April 28th I'd start a day or two, breaking up my efforts at home.
Then, there are often other things that impacted my check book that came up without much planning or notice, or an all out splurge.
- This was a splurge a bit, but I still like to support the Show Choir community and had not yet seen the high school compete. I picked up my daughter and her roommate to see their last local competition of the year. These are a bit pricey for admission and I bought a snack, but all the proceeds go back to the host schools' program. (I make a yearly donation in my husband's memory to our schools show choir as part of the non-profits my kids and I each picked to support.)
- Sure enough, just when I decided I should just use Turbo Tax or a service of some sort rather than my account, I got a statement that I supposedly under reported 2023 taxable income on my property rebate form. I followed the instructions to a T so quite annoyed. Now I've got to both repay the overage and a $30 penalty. Financially, I move a step forward, then it seems two back.
Daily Dinner Diary ( just Friday, Feb 28 to yesterday, Thursday, March 6th)
- Fri - Cod (son ate last two pieces), soup, and garlic and herb bread, for myself and younger daughter who came to town and stopped to visit my brother, we had panini type sandwiches on the homemade bread.
- Sat- Not sure what son ate. I met my daughter and roommate to see the high school show choir finals, and intentionally ate a later lunch, then grabbed a snack at the school (part of their fundraiser)
- Sun- Spaghetti and meatballs
- Mon- Petit filet steaks, baked potato, and salad- a total splurge,but nothing compared to same steak at a restaurant.
- Tues - Cottage pie
- Wed- Salmon fillets for my son. Broccoli- cheddar rice, broccoli. I had a packet of Thai chili flavored tuna for my protein
- Thurs-Chicken and rice bowls with roasted sweet potatoes and carrots
Lunches were leftovers, sandwiches, soup, fruit and yogurt, veggies and dip, and tuna on crackers or in wraps of course with a pickle.
I always hated a restocking grocery trip because of the price hit. I rarely have to do one of those anymore since I tend to keep spares of nearly everything we used to run out of, and it still seems things run out at approximately the same time. How does the ketchup know that mustard is almost empty too?
ReplyDeleteIncredibly great buys at Kohls!
Your meals sound great and I consider indulgences a great buy compared to a restaurant meal.
I still haven't used the griddle but it'll get used this weekend to batch some burritos for the freezer. I agree - the steaks were three times our normal protein, but even a simple steak sandwich and fries in a bar and grill is going to run nearly $20.
DeleteGreat work on the Kohls deals. I need to go redeem two CVS coupons today before they expire. All told, I think it's $14 of either their monthly rewards, and then a random $4 coupon. So, I'll pick up a few things for that. I also need to grab some treats & drinks for the soccer banquet tonight. I may use grocery store rewards for that, to keep spending really in check. I actually track those items as "boys" vs groceries, as we spend a lot entertaining & hosting, which is great, but pretty different than your standard grocery spend.
ReplyDeleteI also need to come up with a menu for the week!
-Hawaii Planner
I haven't gotten the CVS freebies for some time. I don't think to use the 20% or so coupons because they're prices are so high I don't think it'd even be a good deal. Hosting your "boys" will come to an end. Your smart to soak it in now. I loved having kids and friends hanging out here.
DeleteI have a Kohl’s here… well, as close as “here” as any other major retailer, but I never really shopped there. A kid and I did go before school one year, and I replaced my running shoes, and picked up a small appliance they had on sale for a neighbor to save her the trip. I found the store is clean, and well laid out. I went maybe two other times in the past ten years , but never used the rewards because I go so infrequently. Maybe I should go there first when I have a shopping need? Of course, I am buying ONLY essentials for the foreseeable future, so who knows when that will be.
ReplyDeleteAs far as your pantry shop, I have to say I don’t see a whole lot of savings from making scratch pasta sauce compared to buying the sale priced jarred, unless the canned tomatoes/sauce I use for scratch are in a deep discount (under 25 cents per 14.5 ounce can.) I have also canned my own tomato sauce, and even when I grew my own tomatoes, I can’t say it was cheaper!
Yay for show choir! I wish more community members, and not just parents of performers would attend school productions!
Have a great weekend!
-Meg B.
I buy so much less than I used to, but for basics, it's not a bad store. I've had good luck pairing clearance with Kohl's discounts, then using Kohl's cash to stretch the budget a bit more. Show choir, even at a $20 entrance fee, is a lot of entertainment packed into a day or even evening. I still enjoy all the arts performances of the schools.
DeleteI hadn't been in Kohl's for years until last fall, looking for a new purse but didn't find one I liked. It's a nice store tho. Today I went to the small Hmong grocery in town, and they had some good deals and nice fresh produce. I seem to forget about that store as it's not someplace I pass by often. I almost bought a 10 lb bag of red rice for $8. That seems a good buy. I've never cooked it, can't recall even having tried it. I need to look up red rice recipes!
ReplyDeleteIts a good basic sportswear store. My husband bought his annual Levis and Dockers chinos, plus casual shoes and tennis shoes there. My late fall mild winter jacket is from there. Nothing fancy but good for basics. I've never had red rice either, and I know many Hmong neighbors and coworkers. Now I'm curious.
DeleteI have never been to a Kohl's. There wasn't one in our town. I buy spices for stockup prices when there is a sale.
ReplyDeletePractically every week, I tell Tommy that I need a griddle or larger skillet. And, I have not bought one. I used a very large cast iron skillet, but cannot lift it anymore. The good griddle was lost with the house.
Your meals sound like a good use of leftovers.
Not many leftovers except for lunches but when both of us are working in the house they're nice to have. No kohls in my town but they're all I er the metro area.
DeleteFour weeks! Definitely on the countdown.
ReplyDeleteI hate grocery shopping at this point. Everything is so expensive. Sometimes I look at something and I put it back because I refuse to spend that amount on something. I'm trying to come up with alternatives. For spices and such I either get some at the Dollar Tree or my local health food shop. They sell herbs and spices by weight, and it turns out a LOT cheaper than the cost at the store.
The look on people's faces is disheartening in stores. I've compromised meal ideas a lot. I love the Indian grocery store for some of the spices I use a lot like curry powder. We also have a co-op so can get some refills there, but haven't thought about that recently so thanks for the reminder.
DeleteI do the very same thing you do, Sam. I start these Friday posts right after the last one ends and add to it over the week. I've had to restock some of my spices recently too. What a bargain you got at Kohl's, WTG! Your meals sound delicious. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope the griddle serves me well for many years. I'm trying to enjoy putting meals together. If the price of groceries is high, I want to enjoy the results.
DeleteOn the penalty for the underpayment, it is probably worth the time to write a brief letter to the powers-that-be, explain that you thought you had followed the instructions exactly, that you are very conscientious, and ask them to please waive the penalty. I did this with my parents' federal income tax several years ago when they got hit with a penalty for not making estimated tax payments, explained that my father was dealing with my mother's increasing dementia, and that I would help them stay on track. The IRS waived it.
ReplyDeleteThere is an appeal, but when I looked up where they came up with the difference, I found the issue. I still think their instructions then were half assed.
DeleteFour weeks until freedom - how exciting!
ReplyDeleteI must admit, your financial stuff goes over my head, tax, windfalls and funds read like a foreign language but it sounds like you've got it under control. xxx
It's ridiculously and stupidly more complex than it needs to be. Yes, freedom will be here. I know nothing of geography but if Siobhan is game, I'd love to figure out a meet up spot on one of my days in November.
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