Friday Fiscal Wellness Check, May 29, 2026
For my Friday posts, I copy a 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, May 22 to Thursday, May 28. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing.
- With just myself home Memorial Day weekend, I used it as an opportunity to use up bits and "one of" items for meals. I got the refrigerator good and tidy.
- I chose not to meet a couple sisters for dinner out on Friday. The timing just wasn't great with having all the pets and I really was looking forward to a quiet night and starting the last Outlander season. (I said yes to the pets instead of sisters.)
- No heat or AC over the weekend, but by Monday it was getting a bit hot inside as temps warmed outside, but used AC just to cool down before going to bed and kept shades and blinds drawn late afternoon to keep sun out.
- Call out to Cecilia and a recent post plus bonus Watching Brief link, tracking price comparisons. As she writes from both a New Zealand and US perspective/ knowledge/experience ideas and awareness are global. For those confused that an America first agenda isn't negatively impacting the rest of the world or just don't care (not you dear readers), reading blogs like hers might open eyes a bit.
- My car tab notice came, due in June and are just over $100 less than last year.
- My refund from canceled insurance was applied (would have been due in August) and is pretty close to three months of the new. And going forward, I can pay monthly, by CC and earn points, and better manage cash flow. Every effort helps these days.
Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls
- Entered receipts in Fetch, played MS Rewards, and a few surveys.
- This is mixed: subtract-add to funds. As I was essentially my son's bank, I used funds in a CD for purchase. Between him finding a property less than budget and closing costs and fees lower than estimate, there was a significant balance. Rather than open another CD, I moved the balance into the newer high yield account that actually has .4% more in interest, plus is more accessible should it be needed this fall. Not huge, but annually is $85 more passively earned than in a CD.
Non-Thrifty or Frugal
- Four family graduations this year and I put cash or checks in cards this week. Gift line in budget took a stretch, but other months are lower.
- I was about to plant and realized I didn't have nearly enough soil in the garden bed so bought more plus a compost mix. I also went ahead and bought three tomato plants, two golden jubilee and a cherry tomato plant. We'll see what my total gardening costs come out to be compared with results.
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 stocked my son up on a home cleaning supply kit, ensuring he'd have the basics at hand pre-move in. I did this for both girls when they had their first "adult" living space, but as son stayed in his last college apartment for 15 months after graduation, then to Florida, then California, I didn't get to help him out. It's a one and done, right down to toilet brush and rubber gloves, but he was very appreciative. The cost though, eye watering.
- Made additional food shelf donation.
Fri - Frozen chicken and pepper empenata
Sat- mini French bread pizzaa from leftover bits
Sun- Spinach salad with nuts and dried berries,
Mon- BBQ chicken legs, orso pasta salad, veggies and dip
Tues- Pizza hotdish
Weds- Cream cheese and olive juicy loose hamburgers
Thur- Pineapple and teriyaki brats, watermelon
The weekend will be yardwork plus a meetup with friends for a walk, then beverage of some sort. I'm going to try to use my bike a bit too since I'm finally feeling myself for the most part, just don't make me laugh, sneeze, or cough too hard. I'm car pooling with family to a graduation party about 90 minutes away on Sunday and my daughter will be here for pup. How was your week?
Thumbs up, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThank you. New week starts along with a new month.
DeleteAnd am heading over to read Cecelia next: thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteThe watch report is very interesting.
DeleteThat's a great idea to give your kids cleaning supplies before moving in! Financially this wasn't the greatest week since we had an unplanned vehicle repair to pay for, but I think we will be able to transfer funds from our savings to checking to pay for it.
ReplyDeleteRepairs never seem to be planned. Good for you you have something set aside. Not easy these days.
DeleteSounds like you are feeling a bit better although somewhat sore, and so glad to hear you are heading in the right direction, healthwise. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteMuch better...the last couple days seemed better. Yes, still achy but not in pain.
DeleteYou did very well this week, even with the eye watering cleaning kit you made for your son. I need to read the Cecelia so will be heading over there shortly. Thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
She has a lot of interesting observations and experiences.
DeleteThis sounds delicious, Sam. Can you elaborate on this please. How neat the home cleaning supply kit for your son. I can just imagine the final cost, eye watering is right.
ReplyDeleteCream cheese and olive juicy loose hamburgers
DeleteBelinda
These were burgers a former bar and grill made. Ratherxthan cheddar, use a big dollop of cream cheese and sliced olives inside two formed and molded thin burger patties. They have to be thin to be able to seal. I just cook them slow and low in frying pan. They can be grilled but trickier to do slow in a frying pan.
DeleteGetting on the bike sounds fun - I'm really glad you're feeling better! We don't have any graduation parties this year, for the first time in forever. Nick is the youngest in my family & friends group, so last year the final "baby" graduated. - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteThese are great nieces and nephews! My youngest is younger than a couple of my siblings grandchildren, then the rest just trickle year to year-54 in total greats. Bike didn't go great yesterday, but will keep trying.
DeleteI agree that it sounds like you had a good week including feeling well enough to try bike riding. Baby steps. Congratulations to you son on his new place and that is a really nice move in gift.
ReplyDeleteTried was the word. Hip wasn't a fan of the bike. I got a good walk in though. The cleaning supplies were more a "he's not going to think about these things" purchase.
DeleteThat is a great idea about the cleaning products, I will do it next time I have to get a house warming gift
ReplyDeleteAs the condo sat open for so many months, it needed a top to bottom dust, sweep, mop, and the work in the bathroom left a bit more dust and residue. He'll need a accumulate, stick type as there's no carpet but he plams to get a couple rugs and of course with the cats, theres always a need.
DeleteI am intrigued by the brats! Ha ha. The week in my neck of the woods was OK. I guess OK is better than not OK? (:
ReplyDeletePass on the brats in that flavor. They were a butcher counter packaged clearance and the flavors in brat form were not horrible but not right! You're like me...OK weeks are OK.
DeleteYou are so rich in family. I understand that nothing is all positive, and I’m sure there are pressures at times, but my own family is so petite, I do find myself envying those whose families are vast.
ReplyDeleteI started our own retirement overseeing every single expenditure, because stepping away from a regular paycheck can be unsettling. It takes time to build confidence that your retirement planning is indeed more than adequate. I think you are doing great.
I do realize my large extended family, and that for the most part get along with, is a gift not many people have anymore. It's the day to day life after being married 35 years, that's lonely. Both are true, abd thats not a complaint, just reality.
DeleteI worry about inflation outpacing what I'm comfortable drawing down. All the experts and models say I'm doing fine, somewhat conservative, but thinking "this is it" for covering my living expenses for the rest of my life is scary. You've done so well. I'd love to have your confidence and I'd love to live with Elle' s thoughts to maximize abd prioritize travel for the next 10-15 years.
My week from a financial point of view was a disaster: the car broke down/needs a new one and the pool needs work enough to pay for a college education. oh the pain.
ReplyDeleteI cant imagine the pool cost, but that must be a necessity in your city. Cars suck...a necessary evil.
DeleteWell done! Not sure I'm doing great. I'm trying....
ReplyDeleteWe have lots of expenses individually and Ive committed support to each kid for a few, plus cabin expenses. Life is sure financially lifing right now.
Delete