Friday Fiscal Wellness Check April 18, 2025
Today is the last paycheck day and last deduction for health insurance and flex medical spending (not HSA). I received the first invoice for the continued insurance in retirement. It's actually $96 more than I had planned, so over the course of the 21 months my daughter will stay on mine, that's $2,016 more than I budgeted. The electric company sent out a notice that there's a 10% increase over base rate beginning in June, and the city water increase of 20% goes up starting July 1. More reminders that I need every dollar to have a purpose. It's ok if the purpose is fun or giving to others, or even a planned want. I just need to be intentional. Grabbing a coffee through a drive through because I didn't plan to make at home, buying a good "deal" even though it's not a necessity or even a big joy, or any shopping as entertainment is done. Here's my recap of Friday, April 10-Thursday, April 17.
Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs
- Meal planned for the week to keep groceries to just essentials. I adjusted as needed to use up anything that needed to be.
- Got free larger paver bricks I'll use for the pumpkin and squash area, and a start of free regular bricks (just 24 were useable) to use as edging around the patio rocks. I'll need more of the edging bricks, but it's a start.
- I had a free seltzer at Trivia night thanks to previous wins. While I wasn't part of the recent gift card wins, I was on others so it evens out I guess. I added a tip in the jar though for the one busy beer tender.
- I moved up buying the second set of batteries for the lawn mower. With tariffs on, off, paused, and other nonsense, I'm pretty sure they will increase in price regardless. Now I'll be prepared once mowing season begins. I found after never being the one to mow the lawn, it's a task I actually enjoy.
- Same thought process, I bought the small chest freezer as well. The price was the same as December when I got my daughters for Christmas. It'll be the right size for me.
Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls
- Loaded receipts and played on MS Rewards, though have been less deliberate and missed many.
- Technically this could go in my gift budget, but I bought a couple bottles of special brews from the brewery for a friend for her retirement. These were unique wine like bottles and she's a beer lover. I'm happy for her- she's probably more burned out than I was. Her retirement date is May 1.
- Spent $35 on a spring event for the local AAUW (American Association of University Women) as a book club member invited me to join her. I think I might join the organization and if I join at the event, the annual dues are 33% less. I'll put both of these under entertainment, I guess. Isy need to rework my budget again.
Then, there are often other things that impacted my check book that came up without much planning or notice, or an all-out splurge.
- The vet bill for pup exceeded the sinking fund estimates deposit. But, he's an elderly dog and deserves to live his years in as good of health we can support
- Back to spending a bit more on gas and parking to visit my brother. Update to come, but him coming home will need a very intensive care plan and a lot of support for my SIL.
- My google Storage was running out. I've so much life admin to do with old documents, pictures, and other things that are stored but to buy time, I went ahead and purchased a year of added storage.
- Fri - Cheesy Chicken and rice hot dish with green beans.
- Sat- Cottage pie with ground beef.
- Sun- Baked boneless skinless chicken thighs, rice and peas
- Mon- Leftovers
- Tues- BBQ pork roast, Mac and cheese, zucchini, biscuits
- Wed- Pizza hot dish with pepperoni and Italian Sausage. ( This was phenomenal- my son was very happy with it.)
- Thurs-Leftovers, and I had the retirement gathering and had nibbles and a beer.
I think in these whacked out times, the economic volatility is a given. I am scrutinizing our household dollars even more carefully given that food costs are up, heating (natural gas) is up, and on and on. This triggers the "hunker down" voice in my brain...uggh.
ReplyDeleteI published this and then spent another fortune on groceries, but part Easter brunch, part my kids and I eating at home and not going out all weekends, some stick piling and some making food for brothers family. I'm hunkering down but also trying to still live life.
DeleteI got my 401k statement yesterday and it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be, so I guess that’s something. Finalized my dad’s will and all that fun stuff on Tuesday. Thought I had an eye appointment Wednesday but had the date wrong. I’m trying to squeeze in all the medical I can just in case something goes south with DH’s job. Grocery shopped for Easter which will be very low key and the week in general. I was very disappointed to see my favorite coffee creamer has gone up 50 cents. Eggs were down 50 cents so I guess it’s a wash. I’m surprisingly off today. Laundry, few admin things to do, painting my nails, putting everyone’s small Easter gifts together. Venturing out to the “nice” part of town to visit Trader Joe’s for the first time, getting dinner with the kids. Busy day ahead for me. Supposed to be 80 degrees and beautiful today. It’s not going to last so trying to enjoy it! JoAnn
ReplyDeleteBut was that just through March 31, the first one of the quarter? April has been brutal. I resisted my wants from Trader Joe's with the exception of tapenade and bruschetta when my daughter made a stop. I love that store!
DeleteOh, you’re right. I looked so fast that I didn’t even glance at the dates. It’s not like I’m ever going to be able to retire anyways :/ TJ’s did not disappoint today!
DeleteI just accepted two sub dates and put my interest into the three week summer school program. If nothing else, they'll help my travel kitty and extra groceries for meal prep for my brothers family.
DeleteSam, so happy you got a chest freezer! This will really save money. Just remember to date everything and rotate. The first couple years I owned one I had some freezer burn issues!
ReplyDeleteGood reminder. We had a second fridge and freezer but stopped is my it after no kids at home. It stopped working too when I tried last summer- foul smelling and nasty. I am happy to have this right size one.
DeleteIts too daunting to do through all my files on Google, I always pay the few quid for extra storage, too! Vets bill are so expensive but worth it! xxx
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for every day with pup. I'll have another big bill in the fall.
DeleteAs a child/teenager I remember the Canadian version of the university women’s group meeting at the church. I always wanted to join. I should see if there is a local chapter nearby - 4 university degrees later!
ReplyDeleteIronically, in 2012 I received a nonprofit advocacy award from the Minnesota statewide AAUW. I didn't even think to join back then.
DeleteI've had my head in the sand & not looked at our retirement accounts in a week or so. I moved a lot of our money to CDs (not retirement accounts) when I received my severance, so that we could pay for the boys college. Because the time horizon is not super long, the market felt too risky for that money. I am very happy with that decision. The CDs don't pay out a ton, but the money isn't going anywhere and is available when we need it for college, etc. It helps me sleep at night. - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful I put the life insurance in CDs. That interest will bridge me through this hurdle... hopefully.
DeleteYou seem to have a handle on everything in your control, which is all any of us can do.
ReplyDeleteYou will be surprised how much you will enjoy your freezer. It helps to be able to buy when prices are at their lowest (though I have no clue what the new lowest will be) and freeze items in package sizes you need for meals. It really does cut down on food waste.
That's the key I guess, manage what we can control. It's the attitude that us peasants don't matter, both parties, and we're just supposed to suck it up that pisses me off. I'm looking forward to using as meal prep help in addition to more bulk, to me buying and good deals.
DeleteCould you please give the recipe for the pizza hot dish? It sounds wonderful
ReplyDeleteSure. Its always a bit different as it's a use it up kind of recipe. This time was 8 ounces dry/ then cooked pasta ( reserve a bit of pasta water), Any shape, probably about 10 ounces of pizza sauce, probably about 5 ounces cooked Italian sausage ( because I cooked a pound and used about 1/3 previously, 1/2 a pack pepperoni, a big dollop of if ricotta cheese, more garlic powder, Italian seasoning, probably 2/3 cup shredded mozzarella, all stirred together- I added pasta water but by but to get it creamier. I poured in my covered French Corningware oblong baking dish or about a 5"by 9" or so pan would work. Covered with the lid or use foil, bake 30 minutes, top with another 1/3 c mozzarella, bake again 7-10 minutes depending how you want cheese melted. In hindsight, I had mushrooms and olives I could have added. It really tastes like a pizza and there's no real recipe. Easily feeds four. Pasta sauce would work too, but I'd then go heavier on the seasoning and likely not need pasta water.
DeleteThat sounds amazing! Getting a handle on finances is the first step. I'm trying to write down everything, to the least item, that I spend in a month in an effort to try and stop myself downloading kindle books which is my big extravagant self-indulgence spend.
DeleteSame as you here, no shopping for entertainment, no coffees out, buying a good deal if it is not a necessity. I'm very selective in what I buy these days. Trumps on again, off again tariffs are probably going to cause prices to rise as some retailers will use that as an excuse to raise prices. Ugh. Hopefully your retirement account will recover. Bailey's took a nose dive too, but she is hopeful it will come back up again.
ReplyDeleteI hit a huge find on Late July brand salsa at DT today, so bought 5. Not only is $1.25 a good salsa price anyway, that's a premium brand that's nearly $5 a jar in stores. I hope being retired, I can find the good stock up deals I just didn't before.
DeleteThe ups and downs and doing something and going back on it is causing havoc with a lot of people I think. It certainly is making me think more intentionally about spending and worrying more about husband's retirement.
ReplyDeleteIt still sounds as though you're making a good balance spending. Are you settling into some sort of routine? Are you enjoying the beginnings of retirement?
Routine, not yet, but am slowly getting used to the idea that I don't have to get online each morning, that I don't have to fit things in short breaks. I'm trying not to get panicky about the volatility.
DeleteChest freezer will be amazing for you. I got my mom an upright freeze (she complained about her back and not wanting to bend over all the time) but the extra storage is soooo amazing! I also just pay extra for the google storage BUT they used to allow so much more free storage then all of a sudden they made cutbacks with photos/gmail, ugh.
ReplyDeleteI know good los recommended upright, but the sizes were too big or the shelf configuration would make the larger items challenging. Google storage is just a product of life these days.
DeleteYou will love the freezer. I went to day-old bread store where if you bought so many loaves of reduced bread/buns, you got two more free. I used 2 gallon storage bags for loaves. Then, I kept the used storage bags in freezer until next shop, so no excessive bag usage. Of course, there is storage of bargains and storage of meals.
ReplyDeleteUsing a chest freezer hurts my shoulders and knees. Better luck for you.
Subbing paid $90 each day, so it was a good little side job that was flexible. I am quite sure your area pays more. Some days, I drove no more than a mile, so handy.
Lol, always accept bricks.
Fortunately subbing is a lot more than that now or wouldn't be worth the the time. I've had an additional grudge/freezer before but hadn't been using. Now with perhaps garden produce I'll put to use.
DeleteWindow company measured for the windows and door. I had to order an air conditioner/heating window unit for it to fi my
ReplyDeleteOld window in that window bc the new windows are impossible for a unit to fit. I will just leave the old window in that one window. My house is small and that is how I heat/cool the entire house. The unit my son had that he was going to give me is too big even for the old window. The windows/door will come in about six weeks. The new foundation is supposed to go in Friday. As far as food, I cooked a ham I got for 69 cents a lb from around Christmas. I didn’t eat it then bc ai had the flu. Everything is sky high in prices and everything except my salary keeps going up. I am hopeful that by doing these repairs it saves me money in energy costs. I economize where I can. I need to go the the dentist also bc I think I just chipped a tooth yesterday. It is always something! I am not even thinking about trips or fun stuff. I just want my house safe, and for me to be able to pay my bills. Cindy in the South.
Excuse typos. I never proofread stuff I post for fun… lol. For some strange reason I find it kind of hilarious that I sound like I am a couple of French fries short of a Happy Meal! Cindy in the South
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