Friday Fiscal Wellness Check June 5, 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 29 to Thursday, June 4. I just sort of list things as they come up, then edit before publishing.
- Five of us road together to a graduation party. It was a little tight but glad to not take two cars 140 miles round trip.
- Paid or accounted for all bills that are set for automatic pay. Knowing bills are accounted for and what truly is my balance helps ensure I stay on track.
Spent Saturday night in my backyard with neighbor's in lieu of local sports bar with a store bought 6 pack of Leinies and a bottle of wine. Drinks at just a fiver each and beautiful no humidity evening. Pup could wander safely.- Other entertainment was watching the Champions League Final, streaming services movies, a walk with two friends.
- Cooked up and froze chickpeas and black beans in portions for future meals.
- I'm sorry I forgot from who, but took someone's advice and will be getting pups meds through Chewey. The first order will save me $75 and going forward probably closer to $40 but either way it's a huge savings and will save a drive over to the vet.
Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls
- Entered receipts in Fetch, played MS Rewards, and a few surveys. Its a little annoying how many questions on the survey there are before you get "rejected" because they've filled their numbers or not right profile, but since I do these while watching TV, it's not a huge time waste.
Non-Thrifty or Frugal
- In our family, we've always helped if requested with dessert bars (pan cookies), brownies, or other sweet nibbles at graduation parties. With two sisters gone a couple of us made double amounts for my great nieces party. I made a s'more bar and chocolate chip pan cookies. Chocolate has really gone up so these were not cheap treats, but she had a lovely variety and collectively saved my niece and lot of money and time. She was very appreciative.
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 got by financially unscathed this week.
Fri - Just me, had a quick sandwich and later made popcorn
Sat- Chicken, rice, and black bean burritos/ bowl with avocado and salsa
Sun- Dal, rice
Mon- Chicken drumsticks, salad, seasoned rice
Tues- Take and bake pizza, salad
Weds- Pork loin, garlic green beans, rice pilaf with onions, garlic, and mushrooms
Thur- Happy hour nibbles, son ate leftovers before he went to work and then again after
My son has a cargo van rented and we're heading to my friends moms and he'll haul to his place, along with other items that have been stored, a beautiful sectional that she didn't take to her new independent living apartment. They want to list the house in July with minimal clutter. K says there's more things she might stick in the van to get out of the house, when he's not looking. Rain and storms threaten so hopefully with not too much effort he can dodge down pours. How was your week?
I appreciate that observation: "I got by financially unscathed this week."
ReplyDeleteApril, same here! It made me smile.
Delete- Tamara R / My Retirement Project
I don't know iw if I've used the word before...definitely not for finances.
DeleteSounds like it was a really good week. Mine was just the regular basics, short of our mini weekend getaway, which turned out to be very reasonable, minus the fact that I forgot my pricey electric toothbrush & they couldn't turn it up to mail back to me. :-( Replacing it was a terrible feeling, because I saw it sitting there as we were packing up & was going to brush right before we left. What a fool!
ReplyDeleteSam got a second job at a donut shop that needs some summer help. Nick is enjoying his summer job of mountain biking, climbing, kayaking, hiking & SUP, as that's totally his jam & he is teaching it to others. He earned a bonus by staying late to teach all of the other coaches how to do basic bike maintenance.
We ended up doing an impromptu dinner out (not frugal) last night, because we were all home together, which was so fabulous & rare! The food was fine, but it's always a treat to have everyone together. - Hawaii Planner
Your boys are so industrious and hard working. I don't mind the splurges to have all four of us together. It is very rare and glad for you having that opportunity.
DeleteThey definitely know how to work, which makes me happy, as many of our friends have kids who haven't held a job yet. That puzzles me, as learning how to get a job done (be it at a donut shop or a restaurant or whatever) is such an important life skill. I also really think it helps them better understand money. They are so appreciative of good service at a restaurant now, after they've both worked at one. - Hawaii Planner
DeleteI 100% agree, whatever the job is, it helps level set life expectations. Fsmily of service industry workers here, and yes, good customer service is absolutely appreciated in restaurant, retail, and other servive directed industry.
DeleteSam, your week sounded really nice. A good mix of activities, friends, and family.
ReplyDeleteI’m not familiar with Leinie’s beer- is it a Minnesota brand?
Over here we just finished our usual Friday of a long walk (7 miles) and a shared sandwich, followed by a shared iced coffee. A total of five hours of fun for very little spend.
We’d planned to go to our social club for Happy Hour, but are both too tired to go out again, which is fine because we have to leave early in the morning for an event.
Leinenkugels ( Leinies) was a Chipewa Falls, WI, about a 90 minute drive from St Paul so close, up until a few years ago now brewed in Milwaukee. They still have the Leinies Lodge, with brew pub and tasting bar mixology and gift shop but no more tours. My cozy came from the gift shop. I'd be tired after that walk as well. Now that my ribs feel better, my hips not a joy again.
DeleteI too like the term 'financially unscathed'
ReplyDeleteI must admit, it's not been a good week financially. I've spent money on things I don't really need. Sigh.
We all have thise weeks. I'm going to have a nig necessary expense ahead, likely before winter so trying to figure out where I can trim spending to avoid using savings. Ill really need to watch unnecessary spending.
DeleteIs it daft but I'm so excited for your son, even though I know you'll miss! And I really like the idea of the Saturday night sports evening at your place. Quite apart from the cost, I would hate to be stuck in a crowded sports bar with all that noise! Good thinking Batman!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited too, though he's not in a rush to live live there. He'll spend the summer her, there, and at the lake so no missing him and cats yet. I kind of like the fun of a sports bar, but need to be geared up. Yes, prefer my or someone's home more often.
DeleteSo exciting for your son. It will be nice for him to have his own place to come home to eventually. I love the "Managed to make it through the month unscathed".
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
No surprises in May financially and I didn't do dumb spending.
DeleteI never heard of 'bars' until my late godfather who was Lutheran had me attend their church get-togethers. Apparently bars not cookies are the official sweet of the Lutheran Church.
ReplyDeleteI learned via blogs that Minnesota must be unique in calling these pan or teay baked sweets things bars. However, I see recipes all the time on line for various "bars". Yes, mist definitely every Lutheran church thing will be trays of bars.
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