Friday Fiscal Wellness Check October 3, 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, September 26 to Thursday, October 2. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing.
Avoiding Spending/ Saving on Needs
- Saturdays entertainment was a free visit to the nature center and a raptor bird release. Seeing hawks and eagles in flight is incredible. This is annual and I joined my brother who's visiting from Florida. I rarely get one to one time with him and so it was extra special and not taken for granted.
- Picked apples from the trees and have been using in quick bread. Also processed six huge zucchinis from my daughter for the freezer.
- I bought a small, well reviewed, "vlogging" camera. Not that I'm building a YouTube channel any time soon, but like the idea of capturing snippets of video not on my phone and maybe adding more to the blog or my much neglected Instagram for reels. However, it came with a sticker residue that I could not get off on the lens. I decided to return it and the extra micro SD card. My camera, though a bit larger, works as a video camera too, plus we have an old cheap one my daughter used in middle school that's still functional. $75 expense avoided.
- Entered receipts in Fetch and MS rewards points
- I hit 25 hours last week and just shy of 25 this week. I submitted my invoice, with the credit for the duplicate payment. Next week will be likely be full but then I'll do minimal while away, and just wrapping up odds and ends once back so nice to have a few heavy hour weeks before my trips.
- Well, see splurge, but I have $60 in Kohls cash to use as of the 6th. In my defense, some spending was on gifts and needed basics like socks and underwear.
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.
- I purged my words on Wednesday about my grand online shopping trip- nothing more to say on that but it's a rare occurrence.and everything purchased was needed or useful.
Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 9/26 to Thursday, 10/2).
- Fri - Hamburger Steaks with mushroom gravy, rice, broccoli
- Sat- Both son and I had a coming and going day. I picked up a couple Jersey Mike subs and ate a late lunch so I was not hungry. I think he met friends and had something out, but there was pop corn evidence and the Greek yogurt run was empty.
- Sun- Sloppy Joes, but also a slice of apple cinnamon bread I baked late afternoon.
- Mon- vegetable noodle soup, chicken cordon bleu
- Tues- Sweet pepper beef bowls over rice, sesame garlic green beans
- Weds-Rigatoni pasta with turkey sausage red sauce cucumber
- Thurs- Roasted chicken, herbed potatoes, steamed green beans from farmers market, acorn squash
I just spent a small fortune stocking up for the month but either son or I will only need a few top off ships for fresh food. This also included items I buy quarterly or even less frequently like furnace filters, black trash bags, the huge TP pack and spices at Sam's Club, some of which I share with my daughters. I have a couple book clubs so need to get cracking on those books tonight ( for tomorrow's) and Sunday, (for Mondays). We're doing the fall park cleanup first tomorrow afternoon then gathering at sister's for discussion, food, and if course card playing. I want to make an apple something ( bought puff pastry to try Cherie's recipe perhaps) and maybe zucchini breads for both or either. The Vikings have another international game so an 8:30 whistle Sunday morning. Later it's out to dinner to celebrate a few birthdays and anniversaries. Ours would be next Friday. How was your week?
Bittersweet anniversary date again for you this year . And a very personal one ( not everyone in my experience remembers the wedding anniversary) .Less than a month to go now before our UK adventure
ReplyDeleteSiobhan x
It'sore celebrating my sister and BIL who had their 40th last month; I just am reminiscing for myself. Yes the countdown is on!
DeleteIt was an ok week, and your menus sound great. In particular Thursday's!
ReplyDeleteOh my...I did myself proud with Thursdays dinner. My older daughter was over and while no chicken, she enjoyed all the vegetables. Acorn squash is my fall favorite!
DeleteYou have an Instagram account (neglected or otherwise)? So do I!
ReplyDeleteI do with a whooping 61 followers @samandcoffee65
DeleteOh, I would love to see a bird release like that! Your hamburger steaks sound delicious! I need to include that on my menu this week. We’ve been on a chicken taco kick this week.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm thinking tacos sound good. Aldi rearranged again and I never found the tortillas.
DeleteYour menu sounds really good. Acorn squash is also my favorite, and I need to pick some up. The visit to the nature center with your brother sounds so fabulous. Glad you got the chance to spend time together. - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteI developed an obsession with acorn squash when I was pregnant with my youngest. I hadn't really been a fan before. This particular nature center also has an absolutely gorgeous orchard, pumpkin patch, and walking trails that overlook the river valley. It's a treasure.
DeleteExpensive week: In 2018 my husband and I bought a new mattress. Oh, I loved it, but was very high. After my husband had his first stroke in 2021, I had to quickly order(without testing) a new one because after rehab, I didn’t want him to have to maneuver. I hated it, so Thursday I ordered a new, plush pillow top mattress. Also, I, well, I felt the need, ‘nuff said. It gets delivered today.
ReplyDeleteBeyond that, it’s been frugal here. Kids at home are really pulling it together in that regard and it’s nice to see. We will be fine…no mortgage, no debt, passive income with the rental (though I charge a pittance as it’s my sister in law), but the administrative work takes a while. Besides, I like seeing the kids think about these things. It will serve them well moving forward. Eldest, who used to have a temperature tolerance variance of 0.05 degrees, came downstairs a bit chilly yesterday and jokingly moved to touch the thermostat. (He turned up the heat in our farmhouse on when he was in middle school, and DH and I were out. He had it set to 72 degrees! We sensed it the minute we walked in! Knowing immediately who the culprit was, I called him downstairs and threatened to jam his fingers in the coffee grinder if he ever touched the thermostat again. I was kidding about the coffee grinder but serious about not touching the thermostat.) In any case, yesterday I said “light a fire if you’re cold.” He went to the woodstove and started lighting it, looked at the beautifully stacked rack of wood then said “but all our work!” He put on a long sleeve shirt. Evening settled in and we were convening for “Jeopardy .” I suggested again we light a fire and he said something like “Mom, it’s 66 in here. Can’t you use a quilt?” I am seeing that mindset in a lot of areas lately, and I am glad! Cataloging the small victories!
-Meg B.
My son obviously didn't pay utilities with his roommates ( one owned condo) as it was just part of his rent. I've pointed out the difference in the utility bill for August with lots of AV and September where no heat or air for three weeks. It was a ,$30 difference. He knows budgets and expense management. It's part of his freelance work and past work as a department head on projects. He just never applied to a house. He's 36 for goodness sake! I have yet to buy my much needed mattress. My Christmas gift to myself.
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