Friday Fiscal Wellness Check April 17, 2026

                              

           For my Friday posts, I copy the previous week, delete the old and update as I go along the week. This helps me add as the week goes on. Here's my recap of Friday, April 10 to Thursday, April 16. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing. 

Use it Up/Avoid Waste 

• Even with theoretically doing Cheryl's challenge on how long could I go before shopping, I still felt things were maybe hidden. I found another significant portion of sloppy joe meat in freezer and used for a beef, cheese, and tomato pasta bake.
• Despite buying quite a bit of staples, I'm in Use it Up mode as I want it easier to clean all food storage places, pantry, fridge, freezers, fully- tomorrow's entertainment.

Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs

•  Did the quarterly Sam's Club stock up ( not everything every quarter) which included tp, tissues, and laundry soap. I'm disappointed that membership will go up another $10 when we renew, but these dry goods savings annually offset the membership, and any other savings is icing. My daughter uses the other card.
• Attended a free webinar hosted by a professional organization I'm still a member of post retirement. It never hurts to stay informed and connected.

Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls 

• Entered receipts in Fetch, played MS Rewards, and started doing surveys again as available.  These earn very little but do them as I watch something on screen. 
• Subbed for 4th grade classroom 1/2  day for the same teacher my youngest had for both 2nd and 4th grade. I earned the standard 1/2 day rate. I'm subbing in a 2nd grade classroom this afternoon.
• I was selected to do a dog food study in a few weeks. I think I'm a pretty good representative of the dog lover community.

 Non-Thrifty or Frugal

• Pup had a couple regular vaccines, blood recheck and a refill on his arthritis pills. Whewy is my vet bill high these days, but he's doing pretty darn well for a guy who turned 15 this past Monday.

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 

• I splurged at Sam's Club on a box of 23 proteins bars for my youngest. She too often skips meals due to being rushed or disorganized but is also training for a marathon (she ran a 10 k this past Sunday.)  I figure she can keep these in her desk drawer and at least have a dose of protein as each are 20g a bar. If she likes, I'm happy to pick them up regularly for her.
• I stopped at Trader Joe's after my hip appointment as it was on route for some staples. A couple bottles of my favorite cheap rosé wine just happened to come home too.
• Impromptu Happy Hour to celebrate my sister getting to have the boot removed on her foot. Celebrating health and recovery is a win in my book.

  Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 4/10 to Thursday, 4/16). 

Fri - Grilled cheese and TJ tomato soup 

Sat- Beef, cheese, and tomato pasta bake

Sun- Chickpea and potato masala, rice

Mon- Panko crusted chicken with mashed potatoes and green beans

Tues- Homemade flatbread pizzas, used up freezer and fridge finds and my own garlic sauce base

Weds- Chicken, rice, mushroom and cheese hotdish, sautéed green beans

Thur- Turkey meatloaf, baked potatoes,  broccoli 

      Last Friday at school went very fast only working 1/2 day so feel today will go fast as well. I hope a couple more Friday or Tuesday afternoons come up. They're a nice detour in my week with low commitment. I'm helping in my community and making a little money to go into my savings or to offset an unexpected expense. I've got the big dog this weekend as my daughter's out of town plus rescheduled family book club/ cards so will be a frugal low spend weekend with hopefully lots of outdoor time if weather permits. How was your week?