Friday Fiscal Wellness Check May 8, 2026

                               

           Feedback appreciated as the Friday Fiscal Wellness check to me seems the dullest of all my regular topic posts. This is probably because its more about my own reflection and accountability and not really a way to have conversation. Let me know if this should be kept hidden, and I look for other things on Friday, keep but shorten, or keep as is. 

     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.I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing. Since I haven't done one of these for several weeks, I'm just grabbing a few things I remember. April was expensive but I'm looking forward to a low spend on regular life things in May...a slow down month, though theres a few timed bigger expenses that hit this month. However, no doubt come June I'll make purchases to contribute to my son's new home set up, and treat the girls a bit.

Use it Up/Avoid Waste 

• Finally got a couple batches of jam made with fruit supply in the freezer. I used jars already had. I encourage people returning the jam jars to me once they've finished my gifted jam. Oh, and found the hidden prepped strawberries in the freezer and will make that batch today.

One batch raspberry from my bushes. 

One batch cherry from my nieces tree.

• Using up yet more fruit, I made a strawberry rhubarb dumplings cake for the annual Derby Day at my sisters.
• Made a rice crust quiche with odds and ends for a brunch when both of us were home. So simple and tasty.
  
  
  

Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs

•  I needed new walking shoes and found the brand and style on sale I wanted online. I wear walking tennis shoes/ trainers 90% of the time so need good ones. I prefer Sketcher brand and this was repeat of the ones purchased two years ago (now my garden  and lawn mowing shoe) that I preferred over the last two pairs.
• I gifted two of my kids a movie theater ticket using AMC rewards through Fetch as a thank you for each taking care of something for me.
• I ordered a mini fridge outdoor cover and mat. I justified purchase that it will help add summer hosting enjoyment and together, were less than one afternoon subbing. I'd use the same mini fridge that was used by three kids in college. But, on closer look, it says not for outdoor use, which defeated the purpose, so I'm returning. My son pointed out that the back door to my kitchen refrigerator is about 12 feet and coolers exist for this same purpose without using electricity. I guess he's grasping the fact as a soon to be home owner that utilities are expensive!
• With son pricing homeowners insurance, I did a second look as well at my insurances. My company was very high for not any more coverage. Switching will save nearly $1900 per year in home and auto. I'll be timing this switching before months end. This is quite annoying as I made a change in how my policy was structured, same company and coverage, last August, saving nearly $1,000. I feel I've been woefully overcharged for several years.
• Very grateful that my battery operated lawn mower and trimmer started up and that I bought back up batteries last year. No purchasing of gas though of course, electricity to charge has gone up in price too.
• Sent in rebate receipt to Menards ( home and garden supplies) for my 11% cash back (merchandise check).

Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls 

• Entered receipts in Fetch, played MS Rewards.
• Subbed a few afternoons here and there. I move the payments right into my higher yield account. 
• I participated in a dog food study plus did a few SAGO surveys while watching television. You accumulate points that cash in 100 for $1. The dog food study earned $150 worth of points. The others just a few dollars here and there.

 Non-Thrifty or Frugal

• I needed a new garden hose and spray nozzle for the back yard after the overpriced "nonkinking"one I bought two years ago had leaks and spray nozzle was worthless. I went old school practical this time. 
• My car needed it's biannual oil change, tire rotation, and inspection. It's insanely expensive but as car is completely under warranty, I take no chances getting discount service ( though had a $10 coupon.) The dealership changed owners 18 months ago and I no longer get the employee discount they kept after my husband died, often saving 50% as they often comped all the labor too for small jobs. I plan to drive this one until no longer practical, at least another 10 years. 
• Needed to replace my Oral B toothbrush heads. Ouch-$22+ after-tax, but if the brush helps my dental issues I'll gladly pay.

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.

• Gave meal kits another try when offer came at $2.99  serving even though I have a full stock of food. Boredom order but we did cook them and they were all tasty, but I  canceled again as didn't seem worth the cost. I got a couple new ideas for changing up our food a bit like a creamy pesto pasta and cheeseburger wraps. Now I was just given a $2.49 per meal offer, and tempted.

  Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 5/1 to Thursday, 5/7). 

Fri - Adouille sausage with red beans and rice, sautéed green beans

Sat- Derby Day and book club at my sisters, so assortment of appetizers and she made Sloppy Joes. Son cooked chicken thighs and scrounged sides and ate at home before meeting up with a friend.

Sun- Sweet and sour chicken with broccoli, egg rolls

Mon- Baked BBQ chicken tenders with Memphis Rendezvous rub, tater tots (to use up a bag) steamed carrots, crescent rolls

Tues- Italian seasoned chicken made into a sort of chicken parmesian, spaghetti 

Weds-  Sort of a Chicken Olivia, but improvised with ingredients on hand, served over the rest of the pasta cooked night before, asparagus

Thur- Burrito bowls with carnita pork, black beans, rice, cheese, and avocado 

      Aldi had a large package of BS chicken breast  but it was partially thawed so I felt I had to cook right away, hence so many chicken dishes in a row. But these made leftovers every day for lunches and I put together a couple ready meals for Sundays when my son is gone from morning to night and I don't want to cook but want a decent meal. How was your week?