Friday Fiscal Wellness Check August, 8 2025

                   

     I try not to do many of the posts like Wednesdays, but I blog for me and it's my outlet. As 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 1 to Thursday, August 7. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing. 

Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs

• I more saved daughter and friends money by making a taco bar and offering random drinks when they unexpectedly were in town. 
• I renewed a maturing 4 month CD at the same interest rate. 
• Found comfortable but dressy sandals 40% off. I have both a wedding and a "work" event that necessitates appropriate summer shoes that I currently do not own.

Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls 

• Entered Fetch receipts and MS Rewards 
• Silly me, I found out the survey thing I signed up for actually is earning a few dollars here and there so on top of the pet food study, I've done random others earning between $1 and $3 so far per survey. It's not going to make me rich, but it's a bit of fun that will give me a small amount of bonus money. Plus, the pet study points hit my wallet too this past week. 
• Did a blood draw and have fulfilled the terms to get a $25 gift card for a cancer prescreen study through my health care system. I'd have participated without compensation but gladly accept. 
• I accepted a short-term, part-time contract and they met the mid-point of my desired rate. Anything I earn, I'll set aside until after I do my 2025 taxes as it will be a crazy year to report with multiple W2's, investment withdrawal, possibly one Social security payment and now self-employment income. As both the funds for the UK and Greece are covered in sinking funds, what does not go to the tax bill will greatly pad both my 2026 and 2027 travel budget. 

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.

• No surprise spending. 

     Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 8/1 to Thursday, 8/7). 

• Fri -  Hamburger and steak fries
• Sat-  Tacos
  
• Sun- Red bag chicken sandwich
• Mon-  Potato corn chowder soup and an Orso- cucumber salad , zucchini fritters, leftovers (using what needed to be used up in a couple new dishes and these were basically lunches too)
• Tues- Cheeseburgers and onion rings
• Weds-  Butternut squash ravioli
•  Thurs- Chili (loaded with summer squash, peppers, and onions) with rice

           I've got a challenging emotion filled weekend ahead of me, but got this finished Thursday night and scheduled for publishing. Today's a funeral for one of my husband's best friends father ( his wife passed just after my mom nearly 15:years ago) who was sort of a second dad to him. His friends parents treated me like a beloved daughter-in-law. Tomorrow is the open house for the Healing Garden at LifeSource (organ, skin, eye donors) when we'll see his name has been added to the memorial wall. Sunday would have been his 64th birthday. I'll likely pause on blogland for the rest of the weekend.