Friday Fiscal Wellness Check, August 28, 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, August 21 to Thursday, August 27. I just sort of list things as they come up. I know my WIS is somewhat redundant but my Fridays are a more overall check into how I'm doing in terms of financial wellness instead of daily tracking each expense.
Use it Up/Avoid Waste
- Even with a huge for me stock up shopping, where I'm tempted with the nice new groceries, I ate leftovers on Friday for lunch and supper.
- Found a vegan zuchini fritter recipe to use up the huge zuchini my daughter gave me. These still were a bit pancakey, but very tasty.
Avoiding Spending/Saving on needs
- Stocked up after unexpectedly finding major loss leaders and reduced meat from butchers counter. I'll need to buy very little in September other than fresh produce, dairy, eggs, and bread. I still ended my shopping month with the target for all household, personal, and grocery needs.
- While last years Florida trip to a friends condo was very thrifty, various life situations has put a fall trip there this year on pause. However, the mom friends found a weekend all five of us are free in October and I confirmed the big cabin, with heat, fire pit ( if we get out of drought by then) showers etc. will be free to use. My older daughter will have pup. We'll plan details next month, but it'll be a very frugal get away for all of us. It was very kind of my MIL, husbands brother and sister, and my kids all telling me repeatedly they were happy that I was going to use the cabin with my friends. I'm trying to build happy memories even while being there is bittersweet.
- Another delicious and fun night at my sisters. They grilled burgers and others contributed sides, including my contribution of a fruit platter, and a cucumber, tomato, and onion salad.
- Gas was $4.17 a gallon but was able to use a 32 cent per gallon credit to save $4.
- Used my freebie from T-Mobile for a Diet Coke before picking up grandpup from doggie daycare. Fountain sodas just hit differently.
- I decided that while I'll keep Netflix, I switched next charge period, to the basic membership with ads, saving $19 a month. Ad free is just no longer worth the price. This will offset using a different service time to time-see below on HBO Max.
- My BIL dropped off a bunch of tomatoes, more than I'll eat fresh, so they were washed and put in freezer bags. I don't bother blanching as I've had good results making sauces, goulash, etc. from frozen tomatoes.
Opportunities to add Funds/Windfalls
- Entered receipts in Fetch, played MS Rewards. I did a couple of Saga surveys.
- Redeemed a T-MOBILE reward for a $5 Dunkin Donuts gift card. It'll be a nice treat come fall out and about. ( Though honestly, I probably have about $75 in various coffee gift cards I forget to use. I must remember them when I next plan coffee out. )
Non-Thrifty or Frugal
- My youngest felt lousy towards the end of last week and through the weekend. She really needed to get better with having a busy week ahead. I drove up to the city and brought her both comfort food and relief items on Sunday. Worth every drop of gas to help her a bit.
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.
- Splurged at the farmers market at the MN Nice Guy Popcorn stand on three varieties. These are for a couple social gatherings coming up...if I don't break into them. I bought the Chicago mix, white cheddar, and caramel corn.
- Signed up for one month ( canceled renewal immediately) for HBO Max so I could watch a couple shows.
Fri - Sauteed garlic and sesame green beans, chicken in a sort of sweet and sour sauce with brown rice (leftovers from Thursday)
Sat- Cheeseburger, fruit, and strawberry spinach salad at a cookout.
Sun- Pasta salad, tuna wrap, leftover from cookout
Mon- Zuchini chili over rice
Tues- leftover chili and rice, with cheddar cheese, stuffed green pepper, grapes
Weds- Roasted chicken, parmesian potatoes, tomato and cucumbers, grapes
Thur- Zuchini fritters, garlic/ soy green beans, sweet potato wedges
Leftovers/ Added to Freezer:
- Large portion zuchini chili
- 4 Zuchini fritters
- Tomatoes
I would call going to your daughters when she was ill a necessity, neither thrifty nor frugal.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to incorporate leftovers into our meals, but it has been hard with the stupid eating out we are currently doing.
And wonderful to plan a no/low cost getaway to the cabin. Though you will never replace the memories of times there, you can add some new memories
It was a necessary trip, but unplanned so went in the nonfrugal area...this helps when I remember why I burned through gas so fast. It feels awkward at the cabin, my youngest really spends minimal time there ( but theres more to that), but times with friends will be rejuvenating.
DeleteYou had a great week and your friend's trip to the cabin sounds perfect. I hear so many people saying they haven't used gift cards. My son finally sorted his and stood them in a rack right next to his computer as he works from home. For those no longer sitting at the computer I wonder if putting a small assortment in one's wallet and then refreshing that as they get used? It bothers me that corporations actually know what percentage of gift cards won't get used and count on that in their bottom line.
ReplyDeleteI really need to make a plan over the next 5 months while funds are a bit tapped to use the giftcards. It'll feel like little splurge wrapped in a hug, since these were mostly gifts from friends and family. Yes, retailers are well aware of the bonus revenue they make.
DeleteI like this idea, Juhli! I do try to keep a few in my wallet, but it's more that I altogether forget that they are there. I did help DS19 use a Chipotle gift card I found by sending him a photo of the code & pin, which he immediately redeemed to his account. If you can store it in your account for the business (similar to Chipotle, Panera & the like) it makes it much easier to redeem, and you don't need to carry around the physical gift card. - Hawaii Planer
DeleteI wish we had lots of garden tomatoes! M & I have been debating how we may be able to cover our planter boxes next year, in order to try & get a yield without the squirrels. They are gorgeous boxes & would do well, but the squirrels have eaten through any covering we add. We've been watching some Alaska homesteading videos (interesting in their own right), but also now have some new ideas for coverings for the boxes. We shall see.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a really good week, and I'm with Anne - helping your daughter when she's not feeling great is priceless. - HP
I need to cook down the ones my bil gave me as they're quite soft, but sauce will be good. I didn't hesitate helping my daughter.
DeleteDid you ever look into free Netflix? Mine is free through T-Mobile with a Magenta Plan - whatever that is.
ReplyDeleteI took a look but must not be on same level yet with T-Mobile. Best was same as I now have switched to.
DeleteSounds like a pretty good week - hope everyone is feeling better. The trip sounds like it will be a nice diversion in Oct.
ReplyDeleteMy dsughters still a bit yuck, but must push forward today and tomorrow to finish her move.
DeleteI am messaging from France. Do you use gram flour (chickpea) when you make your courgette/zucchine fritters? I always do and they seem like fritters and never like pancakes. Reading how your week has gone re spending and eating and stocking the freezer is something I find fascinating. I like to see how other folk do it. Susan
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried chickpea flour yet but many have suggested. I dont currently have any. Next shopping trip. The stocking the freezer is just leftover management.
DeleteI just love using grated zucchini in recipes I make as it adds a little bit of sweetness to items. I used it in the sauce I made for cabbage rolls this week and I really like how it compliments the other ingredients.
ReplyDeleteSplurging at the farmer's markets is one of my favorite things to do. LOL
I'm happy to hear you planned a trip with your friends in October.
The mini trip is being challenging so might end up just being Saturday when all are there but Ill take it. Farmers markets lure me in with colors and smells.
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