Friday Fiscal Wellness Check August 15, 2025
For Friday Fiscal Wellness Check, 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, August 8 to Thursday, August 14. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing.
Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs
- As July was a huge spend on pantry, freezer, and household needs, I'm only trying to buy needed items to round out stocks and fresh food keeping the spending to $65 for the week. But wow, does fresh food, basic restocks, and must haves like coffee add up quickly.
- Entered Fetch receipts and MS Rewards
- Logged 17.5 contract hours. I'll send an invoice at the end of next week month, then ever two weeks thereafter. I'm tracking in a calendar with the action.
Then, there are often other things that impacted my check book that came up without much planning or notice, an extra optional expense, or an all-out splurge.
- This was and wasn't a splurge. I wanted an e-reader before travelling. My Nook from 12 years ago is no longer compatible to download anything new as was an older version when I got it. I used collective earned gift cards from surveys and studies to buy a basic Kindle with only $18 out of pocket, including buying a case.
- Pup had his dental work, blood work for his meds, and last summer shave. While I budget for pet care, there's been extra the last year, though this vet is more affordable than the secondary vet. They just are often too booked and previously didn't do a sedated groom.
- I've pretty much spent my entire eating out/ entertainment budget and still have a get together with a friend on the 21st. The past weekend called for lunches out and not worrying about the checkbook.
- A complete waste, a watermelon rotted and leaked all over the table, drenching am I restock if boxed pasta. The smell was horrid and I couldn't imagine saving the pasta as didn't know how far into the box it seeped. It wasn't an old melon, just bought Tuesday and this happened Saturday -Sunday. Out $10 for stocked up pasta and $5.32 for the melon.
Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 8/1 to Thursday, 8/7).
- Fri - Daughter and I went out for early dinner
- Sat- I had lunch out with the girls after the memorial. Later it was fend for yourself.
- Sun- Vegetable fajitas with sides ( daughter cooked)
- Mon- Beer brats, cucumber Orso salad, potato wedges
- Tues- Baked chicken, fried rice and mixed vegetables
- Weds- Mushroom risotto and peas
- Thurs- Fettuccine with pasta sauce and Italian meatballs
We're expecting a full weekend of rain. My cousins memorial is Saturday and it conflicts with friends daughters wedding. I'm trying to figure logistics. How was your week?
Ah yes, watermelon. I learned long ago to cut up the whole thing day 1 into a large container.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing great overall!! I hope you have a great weekend :-)
Lesson learned. I just had other fruit prepped and accessible and limited refrigerator space.
DeleteI had a watermelon go bad this week too. Wasn't even that old but had a soft spot on top that caved it. Thankfully I noticed it before it leaked over the counter. Money is just flying out as I am trying to get Rebecca ready to move into college on Monday.
ReplyDeleteThe first year all the added things well add up for college. Sadly while other things don't need to be rebought in subsequent years, tuition just goes up.
DeleteWhat a same that watermelon didn’t last no time! I would have tossed the pasta too, not knowing. Better to be safe than sorry. Coffee is buy one get one free at Publix this week, so $13.99 makes them around $7.00 each. I need to pick some up for Bailey.
ReplyDeleteI worried they got contaminated or buggy with fruit flys. Not what I want in pasta. I've been making sure coffee is plentiful here.
DeleteUgh to the watermelon, that stinks. Literally. Today was my last girls day with DD for the summer and it was a busy expensive one. Got up bright and early for her to get her real id. It ended up being a pretty painless experience though more than I thought it would be. I thought it would be $30, but they tacked on a $39.50 renewal fee and extended her license until 2033. Realistically, she will be married and moved out by then so it will need to be updated anyways but it’s done. And not a moment too soon since she’s flying to Myrtle Beach on Sunday. We got lunch, packed up everything but her clothes and her and her boyfriend are getting the keys to their apartment tomorrow and moving in sans any parentals. Such a neat transition to see her need so much of our help freshman year and not so much her senior year. JoAnn
ReplyDeleteIs your daughter engaged? Exciting. If not yet, you're lucky if you have a crystal ball to 2033. I would have thought my kids 8 years out firm their senior years of college might be looking at marriage, but it's been 14 and 12 for older two and no sign of rings . Yes, the move inside are easier over time to school abodes.
DeleteYou've got me doing a Friday financial review as well. Not on my blog but in my journal. And your weekly posts remind me to do it. Please keep it up!
ReplyDeleteIt was a week that drained many budget lines and then some!
DeleteWhen I first started travelling my Kindle was a god send so I'm sure you'll enjoy it. You did well on the price!
ReplyDeleteThe price wasn't a savings it was the gift cards that lowered the cost. I've read one book so far. I'll live for traveling.
DeletePractical Parsimony
ReplyDeleteI had a watermelon that was fizzling out a tiny hole on the top. I got that back to the store asap. They were hesitant to refund for it. Nope, did not want another watermelon. I was so disappointing.
I'm glad you got your money back. Food is too expensive for waste.
DeleteIt has been a year of “yuck” melons here too but not a mess like that! I finally bought an expensive cantaloupe at the fancy organic farmer’s market at it was delicious. I hope you enjoy your new kindle and what a great bargain.
ReplyDeleteWell Kindle same price, just I had gift cards for Amazon. I just got a cantaloupe that was just ok.
DeleteWell Kindle same price, just I had gift cards for Amazon. I just got a cantaloupe that was just ok.
DeleteIts been a good week here, although a pricey one with a new tire for my car. Do you know - I haven't had one bite of watermelon all summer. I keep forgetting to buy it!
ReplyDeleteI had never seen or heard of watermelons basically exploding until a couple of years ago. Apparently, it is due to excessive heat. https://www.today.com/food/news/watermelons-exploding-foaming-rcna100186
ReplyDelete