Friday Fiscal Wellness Check January 30, 2026

                      


            As a reminder in case you feel repetitiveness to my Friday posts, I copy the previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This will help me add as the week goes on. Here's my recap of Friday, January 23 to Thursday, January 29. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing. 

Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs
  • Another look in the clearance section when I mostly was at Walmart to get some steps in as it's so cold. The only clearance things I bought were 3 bottles of Meyers hand soap clearance for $1. If you know that brand and the quality, that was a huge savings. 
  • My sister and I ended up sharing two entrees that came with an appetizer at the birthday lunch. We both had leftovers for another meal. 
  • I was happy to learn I didn't have another co-payment/ deductible for my, dentist appointments this week (steps 2&3 of 4) as was part of the one made on the 14th. 
  • Free coffee with my rewards at KwikTrip when I stopped for a bit of produce and eggs
  • Our team placed 2nd at Trivia, with me breaking a tie with the closer to the correct numerical answer, so a future free beverage is on the horizon, saving money later.
  • Happy to hear my car insurance didn't go up as much as I expected and the paying through checking account transfer was an addition $73 discount. It'll be taken by autopay in February.

Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls 

  • Uploaded Fetch receipts and added to my MS Rewards points. 

     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 bought replacement socks for my daughter as the ones I had included in her "stocking" were too small and couldn't be returned. Fortunately these were good running shoe socks found at a good price as January seems to have the sales on athletic stuff to support the get healthy resolutions. (She gave the too small package to her sister.)  

     Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 1/23 to Thursday, 1/29). 

Fri - Chicken drumsticks, rice, broccoli

Sat-  Leftovers

Sun-  Pork roast, vegetables tots

Mon- Brats and baked potatoes 

Tues- Chicken, rice, broccoli and cheese hotdish

Weds-  leftovers

Thurs-Greek yogurt as my mouth was pretty sore again after round 3, my son found something 

      I've got the rescheduled doctor appointment at 9:05, very specific. My mouth is still quite sore and swollen after two procedures this week.  I'm sick of the cold and a garden center is close to my doctor's office in a town 15 miles northwest of me, the one my work friends gave me the gift card. I think just to give myself a change of scenery I might have a wander, but it's not really any sort of gardening season right now. Maybe I can get a few leftover amaryllis bulbs from the Christmas stash, but likely they'll be gone.

      I'm on the fence getting up early and driving to where my great nieces (two of them in the all female choir) have a show choir competition. I have one other option in February to see them in town when they host. That would be my only plans other than to read bookclub book for Monday. So, how was your week?

           

     

  

Comments

  1. BelindaJanuary 30, 2026 at 7:06 AM

    Sounds like a good week for you, Sam. That was a great deal on the Meyers soap. The amaryllis bulbs would be good, I hope they still have some.
    Belinda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMFebruary 1, 2026 at 8:41 AM

      There were no leftover bulbs but it was pretty in the shop..

      Delete
  2. Cheryl KimbleyJanuary 30, 2026 at 7:17 AM

    My savings - just staying home and using things I have here. Weather has been frightful - so just free exercise with shoveling!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMFebruary 1, 2026 at 8:41 AM

      We didn't get more snow with our cold. I guess I m grateful for that but it's lightly snowing now.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2026 at 7:25 AM

    We've been eating out of the freezer, I went to a free pilates class, I used a CVS credit to buy a few things for birthday & Valentine's Day. Nothing too exciting - Hawaii Planner

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMFebruary 1, 2026 at 8:42 AM

      I'm finding small wins are encouraging. I've got bigger plans with my money for the next few years and it'll be tight but manageable.

      Delete
  4. TamaraJanuary 30, 2026 at 10:02 AM

    Very little money spent in that we spent most of the week outdoors in some form, which ensures I arrive home to tired to do much more than pull out a good book to read.

    I am giving myself a pat on the back that by virtue of meal planning some weeks ago for this weekend's multiple entertainment events, I stayed on budget while looking forward to serving some terrific food. I find that lack of time or planning is the biggest threat to remaining on budget. Nothing good ever seems to come from last minute 'must have' shops.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMFebruary 1, 2026 at 8:43 AM

      I look forward to spring and being out and doing what you are...no spend healthy time with people.

      Delete
  5. SharonJanuary 30, 2026 at 10:17 AM

    Was a great deal on the soap. I haven't been out much at all this week. It's been too cold, too snowy and the roads are terrible. Sigh. I'm going a bit crazy staying in the house but hoping to get out this weekend. I've been remembering my Fetch receipts and I'm doing quite well on the points!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMFebruary 1, 2026 at 8:44 AM

      I went to the show choir comp and it was nice being out of the house and not freezing my face. That increase to the high teens temperature wise made huge difference.

      Delete
  6. VixJanuary 30, 2026 at 10:17 AM

    I hope your mounth heals quickly and you're pain-free vey soon.
    It sounds like aproductive week. Have fun spending those vouchers in the garden centre, how about a hardy houseplant? I'm a big fan of Monsteras (we call them cheeseplants in the UK) or a Mother-in-Laws Tongue(Sanseviera) - low maintenace and lovely to look at? xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMFebruary 1, 2026 at 8:47 AM

      I've a lot of houseplants and struggle to keep them healthy but there were so many beautiful ones. I ended up just getting a little Christmas pick for a planter next year and a few packets of wildflower seeds that were packaged like a greeting card. Not Christmassy, just a beautiful cardinal on them so I'll use for gifts in the spring. I still have my gift cards to enjoy come spring.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 30, 2026 at 5:39 PM

    PP commented today but it is concerning. She may have sepsis and is going to ER. She said thanks to all for the concern. I hope she is ok. Cindy in the South

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMFebruary 1, 2026 at 8:48 AM

      She sure sounds unwell, the poor woman. I've never understood her children's role but they seem absent in advocating for her to get better health care.

      Delete
  8. Anne in the kitchenJanuary 31, 2026 at 12:54 AM

    You had a good week. The only thing I bought this week has been a few groceries and silicon lids for oui yogurt jars. TheHubs yogurt obsession causes those jars to multiply .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SAMFebruary 1, 2026 at 8:48 AM

      Those oui jars are very cute. What do you use yours for?

      Delete

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