Friday Fiscal Wellness Check April 3, 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, March 27 to Thursday, April 2. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing. 

Use it Up/Avoid Waste 

• I had an obscene amount of cleaning supply containers under the sink discovered when prepping for the water filtration install. I organized on a shelf in the garage to use up as the small amount that I'll store under the sink get used up. I lost 2/3rds the storage space.
• It was darn right chilly on Wednesday and I wasn't feeling coffee or tea in the afternoon.  I scrounged the last packet in my miscellaneous hot beverage packet bowl (probably well beyond date on package) of a cinnamon hot chocolate. 
• I'm happy to say that I  met the -20%  grocery budget target for March. Granted, I was gone 11 days but I also made extra meals to send with my younger daughter. I plan to try in April too, but with cooking a nice Easter dinner, more like 10% is probably more doable.

Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs

•  Finally figured out I can pay through automated phone payment my health insurance, saving a stamp a month. Little savings but nothing is dismissed these days.
• Filled up when gas was $3.22 and I had a few cents off reward. I feel for people relying on gas for their jobs, school, or medical appointments. My daughters have sizeable commutes and my son can be at wide varied locations and have all felt the pinch.
• With Q1 being in the books, I updated my cash flow projection for 2026 with new costs for pup and other lines based on increases, revised discretionary line items to fit priorities, and for now, should be still on track.

Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls 

• Uploaded Fetch receipts and added to my MS Rewards points. 
• I netted a whole $74 after my federal refund and what I owed the state. I'll file for my property tax rebate in August and hopefully get a small bit back, but willing to pay my fair share.

 Non-Thrifty or Frugal

• Paid the balance after the water filtration system was installed. This was a painful purchase due to the necessity caused by reckless environmental actions in the name of corporate greed.

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.

• Splurged on Jersey Mike's sub sandwiches when kitchen was chaos and didn't know when exactly the technician was coming. 

  Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 3/27 to Thursday, 4/2). While I planned a list of possibilities, I adapted to fit the day schedule and moods.

Fri - Hamburgers with all the fixings, homemade air fryer French fries 

Sat- BBQ Chicken drumsticks, mashed potatoes, sweet peas

Sun- Chicken tacos, rice, and beans

Mon-   Adouille sausage, red beans and rice,  mixed vegetables 

Tues- Late lunch (subs) so had cottage cheese and fruit 

Weds- Meatballs in vodka sauce over spaghetti

Thur: Vegan chili and rice

    It seems many of you are also planning, and without being disappointed, a homebound  outlook for the coming months to rest of the year. I'm leaning into the opportunity to truly get things done in the house, the yard, and invest time in healthier activities and cooking. I'll have another life update soon that will occupy my time and will add expense, but bring lots of smiles. I'll continue to look at ways to maximize my budget elsewhere.