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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
It's funny how much stuff can be stored under a sink until you go to clean it out and then realize how much is really there. Smart of you to move some of it to a shelf in the garage. Great job on reducing your grocery budget by 20% in March. $3.22 for gas is good right now, it's $3.79 here, and I want to see if I can find it any cheaper when I am out today and fill it up. Good deal on your refund, not too much and not too little withheld. I hope you have a good weekend and enjoy the Easter holiday with your family, Sam.
ReplyDeleteThose under sink cupboards - mine is certainly a hoarders paradise!
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x
I'm going to have to follow your blog more closely as I plan to retire in two years and I'm never been one for being frugal. I have been trying the past year, not eating out as often or hardly ever, but gas in California is at $5.59 per gallon! I was in Arizona last month and gas prices there were $3.39 and Arizona people were complaining! Ha!
ReplyDeleteYes to Alicia's gas comment. DS20 drives his car to/from work & it is outlandishly expensive. I'm going to offer to have him drive the electric car at least part of the time. We still pay to charge the electric car, but definitely not at the same cost as a gas fill-up.
ReplyDeleteWe have been paying close attention to our expenses as well. Looking for opportunities to reduce expenses where we can, while still optimizing our lives. I was really focused on travel optimization this week, as we have a bunch of "logistical" trips with DS19 getting to/from school & us making a few visits for move in/out & family weekend. I underestimated the amount of travel required, so I'm attempting to make the most of it with airline miles, credits earned from a canceled flight, & hotel free night awards. Every bit of money saved on logistical trips means either more money for fun travel, or just more money back into the budget. - Hawaii Planner
Ugh! Now that I have read your blog I need to do the same with my under sink cabinet. In fact just this morning I found 2 containers of furniture polish in the cabinet above the washer, which is not where it belongs. I wonder if my excess cleaning products means I don't clean often enough. Probably!
ReplyDeleteI've got cleaning supplies left from the previous house owner that I said I would use up all along. They are different products than I usually use. The supplies are still on the shelf here 3 years later. I like to see what others are eating to give me some ideas.
ReplyDelete