Friday Fiscal Wellness Check May 23, 2025
I copy the previous week, delete the old and updated as I go along the week as a way even when busy and not in a blogging mindset I'm accountable to myself. Here's my recap of Friday, May 16 to Thursday, May 22.
Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs
- I was annoyed I didn't fill up when I realized gas went up 50¢ a gallon overnight. I waited a day and it went down a dime, plus I had a 20¢ coupon. Still annoyed, but the sting wasn't as deep. I do not understand how it can fluctuate that much!
- Drove my daughter to the airport so she wouldn't need to leave her car. It was very early drop off, 4:00, but I went back to bed once home.
- Did the best I could using up the gallon of milk I got two weeks ago instead of my normal 1/2 gallon in baking, soups, and hot dishes. Why when I have a 1/2 gallon, I run out by weeks end but this full gallon just never seemed to end? ( It was on sale less than 1/2 gallon size)
- Meal planned and bought only what was needed to round out meals with the exception of a boneless pork loin at $1.79 pound. I'm trying to eat down to do a very deep clean to the kitchen freezer.
Spent Intentionally
- I tried to like the Aldi version of Dawn, at less than 1/2 the price per ounce. But decided I'm brand loyal and bought the name brand. (The dishwasher pods though from Aldi seemed to work just as well as Cascade Complete, but I don't think they're that much less.)
Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls
- Entered Fetch receipts and played MS Rewards.
- I registered with a Consultation Service. This would be an industry based opportunity that may or may not yield many jobs, but thought I'd look into options. Most is a bit of research work or focus group type stuff.
Miscellaneous (added as a few things don't quite fit elsewhere)
- The teaching service restructured so I had to "onboard" before fall to avoid disruption to the new school year. I updated paperwork to have them withhold more to ensure I don't get hit with unexpectedly taxes next spring.
- For same reason, I'm withholding 2% more than was going to be withheld for state taxes on my retirement.
Then, there are often other things that impacted my check book that came up without much planning or notice, or an all-out splurge.
- I had no luck this spring finding my larger but cheap or free planters for inside plants so had to buy five with plates to set them on. I really need to organize a better plant space in my house.
- With practically tearing the vacuum apart, I could not fix so it had to be replaced. I found the purchase-I bought it in May 2019. It sucks (no pun) that it needed replacing after just 6 years. We are tough on them with a lot of carpet and a lot of pets.
Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 5/16 to Thursday, 5/22) My milk needed using up plus a bought if cold temperatures again, so Monday and Tuesday was promoted by mitigating waste and comfort food
- Fri - Chicken Wild rice soup with broiled meat and cheese on sourdough sandwiches
- Sat- I wasn't feeling well, toast, older daughter and son had plans nearby so both fended for themselves with leftovers or what they found
- Sun- It was just me and I used the day to just get stuff done and picked at bits of food in small meals between jobs
- Mon-Baked Potato soup with homemade bread or Extra creamy tuna hotdish
- Tues- leftovers as I had cooked a few things the day before
- Weds- Chicken Stuffing hot dish with mashed potatoes and green beans
- Thurs- Pork chops and salad
It was I guess what could be called a reset week where I was mostly a homebody. I went for a lot of extra long walks with grand pup when the weather was good for that and he's a good companion, but we had a few soaker walks too. How was your week?
Nothing wrong with a reset week!
ReplyDeleteI think I need another one too.
DeleteI buy a gallon of milk which costs the same, sometimes less, that a half gallon, then freeze it in small containers. Dawn works. I just repotted my indoor plants and had to get creative. Planters are outrageously expensive. I found a six pack of wastebaskets, drilled holes on bottom and voila. Getting creative is going to be more prevalent now that prices are higher.
ReplyDeleteI should have thought ahead and a frozen half. I agree creative actions are going to be necessary
DeleteI buy Lactose free milk (generic at Aldi) because of my dairy intolerance but the milk has something like 6 weeks dating before it goes bad. I really can’t taste the difference between that and regular milk. Melissa
ReplyDeleteI don't have issues with lactose. I probably will just try to manage waste better.
DeleteA reset week sounds lovely! I was busy here and there, but found time for rest and fun. Today I WILL get a long nap to get ready for my work weekend. I'm trying to eat down my freezer, too. Then it gets a clean and re-stock.
ReplyDeleteThere's things in my freezer that are years old that keep getting shuffled lowered.
DeleteChicken & wild rice soup is probably my favorite, after a baked potato soup. Yum! Nice work on the meal planning around sales, & getting yourself set up to sub in the fall. - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteBoth were very tasty with the coldish wet weather. Things are going to be tight so having the subbing funds for entertainment and travel or to save for a want will be good.
DeleteYes, fuel prices here in the UK are forever going up and down too, I have no idea why. At least they do go down sometimes, although on balance they're probably creeping up more than reducing. A reset week is good and necessary sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI think June may be a reset month once I'm back too. My spending on needs is getting higher and higher.
DeleteReset weeks are wonderful. I have various peppers, and some blue berries and cherries from last summer in the freezer that I am going to use up in the next week or two. Summer is almost here and it will be time to restock.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
I know I have cherries frozen and in another few weeks, my nieces tree will be having again. I need to do something with them this week.
DeleteVacuum cleaners: I am somewhat of a connoisseur, what with pets, people, asthma and year round gardening. I vacuum daily. That said, I have had upscale models costing in the $300 range, I have had clearance $45.00 models. I have noticed no difference in longevity or effectiveness between them. All have lasted about 5 years, so now when I replace I look for the most inexpensive, lightest, yet most comfortable to operate one which still has on board attachments. Interestingly, some years ago I read an article (perhaps from the asthma and allergy institute) that stated that unless you were going very high end (Sebo, I believe) the $300 vacuum offered no advantage over the $50.00 one.
ReplyDeleteBaked potato soup is one of the few soups I actually enjoy! I may have to make a pot in the next few days if the weather doesn’t “sun up.”
-Meg B.
That gives me a little reassurance that replacing was the best move. I got the same model pretty much because it's easy light weight and picks up well. I wish it was $45, but less than $80.
DeleteWe have shifted to almond milk and buy both shelf stable and refrigerated cartons. I find it works for us. Good job on meal planning and eating down your freezer. Long walks with a good dog are a joy for me although mine wants to spend a lot of time sniffing and visiting other walkers.
ReplyDeleteI like fresh milk though do keep shelf stable and almond milk here too for my kids or other guests. This week my walks are going to be taken in a few new places.
DeleteI second your confusion on how and why gas prices can change so quickly and dramatically - it's so frustrating!
ReplyDeleteThe only item we really use 'milk' for is our morning coffee. I began buying Non Fat 1/2 & 1/2 from Aldi's, which lasts a good long time, much longer than milk. We've yet to bump into the Sell Buy date before using it up.
I have a lot of recipes that use milk but also drink a lot of coffee. 1/2 gallon seems to be the norm. I just am annoyed I didn't freeze part of the jug right away.
DeleteI have to drink a2milk brand because I am allergic to the a1 protein in milk from cows with a1 protein in their milk. It is $5.39/half gal. This week it is 2 for $9 at Publix. I was thrilled and bought four cartons. I have used this brand for years and it never goes bad, even when in refrigerator for over a month. If it goes sour, I put chocolate in it and cannot tell it. This price made my week!
ReplyDeletePractical Parsimony above.
DeleteLiving in dairy country, $5.39 a 1/2 gallon better come in a crystal pitcher! I'll trust your judgement on chocolate in sour milk but won't be trying.
DeleteI’m trying the Walmart Great Value version of Dawn and it doesn’t suds as much as Dawn does. I prefer Dawn and always have, but will use this up until it is gone. I don’t understand the fluctuating gas prices either, but have also noticed it. Your chicken and wild rice soup sounds good!
ReplyDeleteI gave the Aldi brand a try but I used twice as much it seemed for same results. Gas prices annoy me more than han anything. It shouldn't be a $5 swing on my regular size tank one day to next. I love wild rice period so the soup just is icing
DeleteThat sounds like a good week with lots of long walks to keep that step count up.
ReplyDeleteWe rarely use the car, I make Jon walk everywhere. I don't think he's filled the tank in a couple of months! xxx
The grocery store, liquor, and a couple bars, and a hardware store are really the only walkable places I go to unless I have close to an hour each way. My town is quite spread out and I'm practically rural. It's doable but not practical.
Delete