Friday Fiscal Wellness Check July 10, 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, July 3 to Thursday, July 9. I just sort of list things as they come up.

Use it Up/Avoid Waste 

• Made a small bit of  broth and took the minimal chicken off bone from last Thursdays rotisserie chicken. Used bits from discounted cheese curds to bulk up with carrots, celery, and bow tie pasta for  small pot of soup. I froze a couple portions of it as well. My freezer is getting quite filled with 1-2 portion freezer meals.

Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs 

• Second thoughted myself and made a broccoli, bacon salad for the 4th when I was going to be lazy and pick up from the deli counter. It still cost a small fortune as broccoli and bacon are pricey, but I probably got twice as much if not more salad. Used this recipe from Mavis at $100 a Month, but sunflower seeds instead of nuts because of a couple family allergies, another advantage of not using the deli. It was devoured, always a nice compliment when you bring a dish to share. 

Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls 

• Entered receipts in Fetch, played MS Rewards, and a few surveys. Happened to have two receipts from someone elses shop in my cart so scanned those as well. No bonus points...I guess they're thrifty as well with no big brands.
• Had a good meeting with my financial advisor and learned about a few options that'll add security and hopefully preserve a bit more legacy for my kids. I keep getting reassured I'm doing more than just fine (remember that  retirement funding was supposed to be for two of us), but I'll continue to try and be thrifty and savvy with money while having a good lifestyle. I recognize I have a lot of financial privilege to do so, and will continue to prioritize charitable contributions and a safety net for my children so they can continue to work in valuable, but under funded and resourced jobs.

 Non-Thrifty or Frugal

• Still in the Non-Thrifty category,  but picked another two big salads worth of lettuce so my ROI on my garden is now -$80. I'll say though, it's a priceless simple pleasure to pick greens from my back yard, wash and use as a meal.

Then, there are often other things that impacted my check book that came up without much planning or notice, an extra optional or necessary expense, or an all-out splurge.

• I paid my PT copay but it was cancelled. I'm assuming this will just stay as a credit, but until I see it applied, it's an unnecessary cost. 

  Daily Dinner Diary (Friday 7/3  to Thursday, 7/9). 

Fri -   Jimmy John's BOGO for two of us having dinner at the house

Sat- Old fashion hotdogs (my choice), brats, or walking tacos plus with too many sides to choose from at my sisters party. She and my BIL, the ultimate hosts, provided the mains with rest being contributed by guests. Feast!

Sun- Weird for hot weather but see above...chicken noodle cheesy soup.

Mon- Spicy Pork and peppers over rice

Tues- PB&J sandwich, a banana, Greek yogurt

Weds- Tuna melt with tomato and lettuce, dill pickle

Thur- Cheeseburger with tomato, lettuce, and onion, side salad

        One of my sisters is laid up with a past neck and shoulder probem giving her a lot of pain again after overdoing yard work. I'm going to make her lunch (a nice green chefs salad) and leave something for them for dinner, but not sure what yet. Her husband is lovely but doesn't cook and she is not a fan of fast food as he's likely been picking up this week. I havent looked at the weather, but might take pup on a day trip to the lake. He really enjoyed that a few weeks ago, and swimming in the water probably felt good on his joints. I know I enjoy it on mine. How was your week?