Friday Fiscal Wellness Check July 18, 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, July 11th to Thursday, July 17. These start getting long, so feedback if you think less is more. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing.
Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs
- I included twinkle lights, purchased and tucked away from Christmas clearance, with my great nieces graduation card and money. I've been doing this for college dorm bound girls. I'm told it's always a hit by the moms or the girls themselves.
- The raspberries just kept coming and not only more than enough for jam, I been giving them away to keep produce sharing karma going.
- Brought my daughter an extra set of double size sheets I already had for her new bed. She's going to make do with the blankets and small comforter for now, which actually, with blankets folded at the end, looked quite nice. Bonus, she actually cleaned (her clean) and purged some things to make space.
- This and one above are daughters wins. Time management is struggle for her and she's a very low wage earner as technically her job is part of her education path. She over spends on take out. I brought her leftovers, goulash and some slices of the asiago bread for her lunch Thursday. She nor roommate ate yet and I could sense they were going to order something, so I "helped" identify easy options she could cook Wednesday and other nights with leftovers. She ended up making a chickpea enchilada type dish with French fries on the side. Her pantry is actually bulging...she just needs ideas and then to cook.
- Got the big loss leader at my daughter's town grocery store and discounted cheese curds and Colby chunks from the creamery that came to $ 3 a pound.
- I'm putting this here even though spur of the moment because I am budgeting and saving towards a Quarter 1 trip. I booked both air and hotel for a March trip to Greece at much lower costs than pretty much every other option I was looking at. Planning so far ahead, fairly risk free, cool weather season so I can explore without dropping in the heat, and really enjoy coffee and wine restaurants is the trade-off for not taking a "tropical" vacation. Bonus, I earned both Orbitz bucks and points/ miles on my Delta AmEx.
- Entered Fetch receipts. I dropped off MS Rewards out of forgetfulness but started again Monday.
Miscellaneous things that don't quite fit in other categories
- Nothing really notable.
Then, there are often other things that impacted my check book that came up without much planning or notice, or an all-out splurge.
- One of the mom friends texted for a spur of the moment brunch on Friday. I don't get enough friend time, so it was a no thought YES. In effort to manage both portion size and budget, I unabashedly ordered from the 55+ menu.
- It popped into my promotional email box...the MNBlogCon is back in September and much smaller than the last one I attended, probably in 2017. What the heck, I thought, so I nabbed a ticket. Imposter syndrome is here for $98.05.
- It was so hot and humid Tuesday and it overshadowed my budget and I splurged at the Farmers Market on artisan bread, salted caramel cookies( froze 5 of 6), and food truck egg rolls, spring rolls, and banh me sandwich after VBS for us both for lunch as thank you for taking care of dogs each day I was gone. All delicious but incredibly expensive. I supported small businesses.
- Splurged on a Dunkin coffee and Munchkins on route to my daughter's yesterday. It was a bad news morning for me and yes, I took comfort in junk and spending.
Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 7/11 to Thursday, 7/17).
- Fri - Grilled cheeseburgers on pretzel buns with lettuce and tomato, onion rings from the air fryer
- Sat- Grad party food
- Sun-Greek inspired pasta salad, romaine and whatever lettuce I grew salad
- Mon- Chicken, rice, broccoli and cheese hotdish
- Tues- Goulash and with pesto asiago bread and salad.
- Wednesday- Fend for yourself/ leftovers and glad for them as we had odd household schedules coming and going
- Thurs- Bacon wrapped pork chops and baked potatoes
With being at church three mornings, the rain sogging up my yard, I missed mowing this week so that's my priority today. It's our town festival that is not really my thing so I will avoid downtown. Oldest and youngest work most of the weekend and middle has plans. It'll be me and pets, plus helping my sister out and feeding her cats tomorrow as a bunch are going to a concert and staying over at the Casino venue hotel. I've no other plans but today's a day of note with my husband so need to stay busy. How was your week?
Wow, a trip to Greece sounds fascinating. Splurging at the Farmer's Market is something I would do. In fact, we splurged on cheesecake the to other day after I came home from the hospital. It was delicious! LOL
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed everything from the market so nothing went to waste. The cookies are still frozen and I'm bringing them somewhere today.
DeleteSon2 doordashes as he no longer drives much and always cooks too much for just himself. And his weekly grocery bill hit $150.He started splitting the door dash meal or adding an appetizer to make 2-3 meals. Got his grocery bil down to $200 a month including 40 lbs of cat litter. Said he is getting fresh veggies and fresh fruit more now also.
ReplyDeleteWell done to your son. I worry she doesn't eat enough. She's tiny and has a very physical job.
DeleteWell done to your son. I worry she doesn't eat enough. She's tiny and has a very physical job.
DeleteUgh for this week. I think in light of current events I am in a damn the torpedoes, “I got money I ain’t spent yet “ mood. Even though the streets were reported to be slippery we went south on the freeway, ate out LOTS, and shopped.*
ReplyDelete* DD and I bought purses, jewelry, ammo and ate lots of ethnic food, even after we were full.
-Meg B.
Not words I've ever read in the same sentence..."bought purses, jewelry, ammo"
DeleteYes, strange times indeed.
DeleteWe just came back from vacation and while I had prepared for the BIG expenses (hotel, for example) and I knew going out that we would be treating friends and family to meals out, let's just say I had sticker shock at the menu prices! When you don't eat out practically ever, restaurant costs are staggering!
ReplyDeleteI know restaurant costs have gone up but it really needs to be a treat. I'd feel better spending more if so often the food wasn't so blah.
DeleteMy admin assistant broke her leg in two places and is home for a while and in pain, poor thing. I feel so badly for her. We also have a murder trial in three weeks so I am very stressed. I am having to do bland food bc of issues so I boiled a chicken leg quarter with green beans, potatoes, carrots, and threw spinach in at the end. Hopefully I don’t have to go completely bland and eat chicken and rice only. I can eat carrots cooked but become very ill if I eat raw carrots. It has been a wild and stressful week. I am just trying to rest tonight and get my digestive system to calm down. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteThe poor woman! I'm sorry for your digestion issues. My sister has had a rough few years and greatly limits what she can eat. Raw anything seems to bother her. I hope yours is able to improve.
DeleteBack from vacation and attempting to get back on track for real. Got just a little bit of groceries since it’s the weekend and no one will really be home. Bills are all paid. Quiet night in. I cooked a chicken, mushroom and rice dish that I threw together on the fly. Going to scan alllll my receipts tonight into all my apps. That’s going to take a quick minute lol. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteI have lots of groceries but I'm in the weird phase of lots of loss leaders, little cohesion. I hope you get banner points when you scan.
DeleteIt's lovely that you're helping daughter with her own budget struggles. I think it's something really neglected in schools.
ReplyDeleteShe's good with money in general but the grocery and eating out area is her struggle.
DeleteMy daughter struggles in the same area. And she won't eat leftovers.
DeleteMy daughter gladly eats leftovers, which is her justification for takeout because she gets two meals out of almost anything. I've never understood the no leftover people. Those were cherished lunches in the office.
DeleteGreece is someplace I have always wanted to visit. The blood clot issues in my lungs sort of scares me to fly.
ReplyDeleteIt seems you are doing well helping your girls to look at food they have to eat instead of ordering in.
We bought lots of vegetables and fruit from the grocery store. But, I am planning a big trip to our Pepper Place market. I cannot walk it, but I send Tommy out with my card and he brings back lots of goodies.
I'm assuming this is Linda? Yes, your health issues probably make a lot of travel a challenge. Fresh food this time of year is a treat.
DeleteYes, Linda
DeleteI understand the priority of saving for your trips, but I am glad you are saying yes to socializing. It is important to keep in touch with others, especially since sometimes it is easier to stay at home.
ReplyDeleteNo chance I'll miss out on the friend time. I'm fine being frugal in other areas for the trips. I do like my home time too, but would welcome more visitors.
DeleteSince I'm off sugar, a perfect piece if fruit from the Farmers Market more than suffices, so I thank you for the reminder - ours is today!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you are moving forward with Greece. It's a wonderful country, and quite affordable due to the many economic challenges it has struggled with. I know you will have a wonderful time there.
Tamara / My Retirement Project
I need to force myself off sugar....and fats. I start then over indulge.
DeleteIt was a long hot and humid week in beautiful Austin. I will be mowing my jungle of a backyard on Monday as early as possible! Your vacay plans are sounding very exciting.
ReplyDeleteThey are something to look forward too. Next weekend I'll be going with my sisters to one's husband's family cabin.
DeleteI'm so happy to read you are going to Greece. I remember you wanting to travel more, so good on you for doing what you've been wanting to do. It's been 20 years since I was there but I'm sure it's still such a magical place.
ReplyDeleteI hopefully am just starting to check off boxes. The research so far shows me it will be a good trip.
DeleteAs Anne said, frugality is good, but so is making time for friends & social connections, so well done to you. My BFF, sister & I are also thinking of a trip to Greece in early June, for a 50th birthday girls trip. We did France for my sister's 50th. My BFF and I are only a few months apart, so we will do a dual celebration. The logistics of getting to Greece are kind of a hassle, so we need to think through that. Where are you thinking of going? - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteRight now, as it was very spur of the moment, it's an air and hotel package in the heart of Athens. I booked originally as a solo person, so wanted ease to explore and convenience and safe. Likely we'll do some day trips, but in all honesty, the historic sites, the museums, and just soaking up the culture, food, wine, music etc. and slow days is great by me.
DeleteThat sounds really fun. We want to minimize transit, since getting there is a multi phased journey from the west coast. We will land in Athens & then spend a few days there & then likely try one island. We'd like to avoid the bigger tourist places, but of course, those are also easiest to get to, so that's the plus side. Hope it's an absolutely fabulous trip for you. - Hawaii Planner
DeleteMy daughter and I just returned from Greece….its amazing. We spent one night near Rafina ferry port then a week on Naxos….tons of history, amazing food, beautiful beaches, friendly and quiet. We then returned to Athens to se the sights. Athens is very similar to other European cities (far far more graffiti and dirtier than Madrid and Paris) with a few unique neighborhoods. While you could spend three or four it days in Athens, highly recommend adding an island or two. Two days in Athens was enough for us, but we travel internationally once or twice a year so our perspective may be different. March is not high season so Santorini probably would not be as busy - we avoided cruise ship islands. Greek food is amazing…if you like gyros the street gyros are lik 4€ and worth eating daily lol. Have a great trip.
DeleteIt was a package and while we'll do day trips, we'd need to book additional accomodations if we changed our itinerary.
DeleteWe might be able to do that, but I'm ok with a bone base and a lot of time in museums and cafe's.