WIS in the Week, September 26, 2026
I'm tracking my variable, discretionary spending through October, giving me a quarterly glance at where my variable expenses are costing me. However, I think this will be the last I post as its a fair sample to give anyone assessing insight. Perhaps I'll summarize at the end of October any spending tweaks I plan long term based on what I see in trends and patterns. The intent would be to make positive changes that will support my financial health and goals to live healthy and with intention, while not missing out on good experiences. Here's WIS, in the last week, rounded up to nearest dollar.
Sunday: $0
My son was going to be back very late, so my daughter and I went for a play and cuddle with his cats and to refill water and food bowls. She had joined me for lunch and to see her grandma.
Monday: $0
Mom's bookclub was tonight. I made an apple cinnamon bread using a cake mix and a lone apple to bring with ingredients already at home.
Thursday: $20
Visited my MIL at the care center. I brought her the things she wanted to be more comfortable, including a tie blanket my daughter had made her 20 years ago. I washed it first so it would be fresh and fluffy. Before leaving town, I stopped to buy my last few years "traditional" birthday gift of a road trip snack bag for my brother. I spent $20 give or take on a mix of grab and go snack items and beverages. I went to my Thursday grief group and once home, I stayed up until the dogs settled.
Friday: $0
No spend day but a lot of running around to feed my sisters cats and spoil them with treats, and two times, a couple hours each, at the transition care to visit with and followup on things needing tweaking for her recovery. My SIL needed a much deserved day away after four long days at the hospital then overseeing the transfer.
Saturday: $58
More running errands including feeding cars, watering plants at MIL's and stopping for a visit. I ordered another pack of doggie diapers for pup.$14, and these were on sale so saved $2. I spent $44 exactly on dinner out for my brother's birthday (entree, tip, no drinks as I felt dehydrated all day $$$) and before he leaves later this week to return to Florida.
Grand Total: for the week:$181
I can see a few things popping up, like unplanned eating out along with planned outings. There's also a few no spend days which often pair with not using any gas in my car as well, but not this week with the extra trips to my sisters and for MIL. I'll need to look backwards at the end of October to see what other habits I either just embrace or attempt to modify.
Looks like you have a good handle on spending though. Three days of no spend is great!
ReplyDeleteIt's nice when I realuze nothing us needed or wanted. I feel a bit more in control.
DeleteWow! I'm impressed!!! I like your thinking ahead to looking back at the end of October to see what practices/habits you tweak.
ReplyDeleteI know I've gotten into a too easy habit of eating out. We're planning meals for at the cabin to avoid eating out more than once.
DeleteGreat handling of spending! I have been limiting yself to free water more often when I eat out. Not sure if you are still working on your "other blogs you'd like" list, but I can't open the link on my Macbook or Iphone.
ReplyDeleteI'm always interested in recommendations. Yes, I really would have loved a diet Coke last night but $4 extra and caffeine after 7? Not good so water was great.
DeleteYou inspire me: I plan to mind if I have any 'no spend' days already, and if I don't can I make some.
ReplyDeleteIt helps me see what I already have though Im not all that intentional about it. Tryingcto be more so and not just pop out to buy if not truly needed.
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ReplyDeleteCongratulations on so many no spend days! I hope that your MIL's recovery is going well.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Shes doing fantastic. She has a very positive healing mindset too.
DeleteHeading to Italy on the 18th, and while the flight was only $75 (I used miles) hotel and a junket to meet up with a friend in Firenze, head to Amsterdam for two days, and reroute back to Seattle with him hiked the cost a bit! But I figured I may as well take advantage of the opportunity. As you know, I haven’t gotten out much over the years, so figured I would do this south of the moment change to meet him before I lost my nerve!
ReplyDelete-Meg B.
So excited for you! Im really think8ng about those long layover trips as possible extra vacation days. Two days in Amsterdam after watching a Ted Lasso episode there (lol) peaked my wish list attention. Ive only been in the airport.
DeleteThat was a great week! I need to finalize our spend report for our 8 day trip - just got back yesterday. It was a combo of saving & splurging, but we had an amazing time & really enjoyed all of it. Less fun is prepping for work this morning. ;) - Hawaii Planner
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading and catching up. My son has a work trip flying to Vegas then driving into Utah. He might add a day on his own dime for a hike.
DeleteKeeping track of your spending is such a good idea, seems to have helped you quite a bit to figure out where money is going. I really need to do the same!
ReplyDeleteIt helps secretaries my steps as it were. I think my "leaks" other than eating out, were fewer because I didn't want to have to fess up.
DeleteWell done on the no spend days, and overall you did great with your spending for the week.
ReplyDeleteI track spending, but mostly by month. This summer, overall, has been expensive. And September is always a spendy month because I have subscriptions for geneaology and computer security, as well as insurance costs for travel and vehicle. I do set aside funds in my savings account to cover these over the year, so it isn't as bad as it could be.
Sinking funds deposits are a must to not get caught off guard when things are all due at the same time. Between October and December Ill have $11,000+ in seasonal expenses. Thankfully, the money us sitting earning a bit of interest until I needcto make the payments.
DeleteYou had a pretty tight spending week with several no spend days. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI really didn't need much and was glad to stay home those days.
DeleteKeeping track is one way I make sure I am not spending a crazy amount of money in a month. You did very well.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Gas was a biggy and with daily nursing home visits, Ill eat up more. But, Im adding my other stops if needed at tge same time.
DeleteNot a bad week spend. I'm trying to do more of those no-spend days.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, your post didn't show up in my feed, sigh.
I still am missing some as well. Nit sure what Blogger is doing. Im having commenting issues on other blogs too.
DeleteI'm sorry that your Mum-in-law isn't well, I hope she's on the mend soon.
ReplyDeleteYou did very well with your non-spend days! xxx
Thanks, Vix. She's doing amazingly well considering her age, half her age. Shes motivated to remain as independent as possible. I have a very expensive fall until the end of the year so the more no spend days the better.
DeleteSpending on experiences is rarely a regret over here, and spending on things is no longer shopping I enjoy. What a change from my younger years.
ReplyDeleteDo you find that the pleasure factor for experiences vs things has evolved as you've gotten older? I''m curious if that is a somewhat common change as we age.
Of course when young, we were furnishing the house, the kids had wants, i needed work clothes. Now, I need nothing abd woukd just rather enjoy time. So I suppose the evolution is age related
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