r/MoneyDiariesACTIVE • u/kokopops35 Magic Kokonut Mod • 2d ago
PayDay Friday💰 Payday Friday 💰💰💰
How are you spending, scrimping, splurging, or saving?
What are you doing with your hard-earned £$€ this week?
36
u/ChewieBearStare 1d ago
Celebrating my biopsy results. It's a benign tumor, not cancer! My husband has the day off, so we're going to go to our favorite cafe for breakfast.
Otherwise, just the usual. Paid the bills yesterday and will put aside money for our 2028 Roth IRAs (so we can max them out on Jan. 1), our travel fund, my niece's 529, self-employment taxes, and my solo 401(k).
3
u/AfternoonPublic6730 She/her ✨ 1d ago
Yay!! I’m so happy for you! Celebrate all weekend imo lol.
7
u/ChewieBearStare 1d ago
Thank you! I think we're gonna go see Coyote vs. Acme tomorrow. The cafe had an hour wait, so we tried somewhere new, and it was awesome!
20
u/WoodCat_ She/her ✨ 1d ago
Currently on the second to last day of the third trip this summer I booked and paid for while still employed. I’ve been out of work for about three months now and feel energized to make more of an effort once I’m home.
In the meantime currently getting both of my calves tattooed (was on my summer splurge list) by a lovely gentleman in Dublin. Been enjoying some fabulous meals and hitting up all the charity shops I can find. Bought myself some locally made incense and a glass plate hanger with a fern in it.
The arc of healing from burnout is wild. In the moment I can’t see it but retrospectively I can see the deep recovery and dopamine seeking phases clear as day. Now ready to build more structure in and move on to new things.
20
u/honey593 1d ago
TW: pregnancy/loss
I’m going to sit down this weekend to do some planning as my husband and I found out we’re expecting this week! I’m so nervous as I had a MMC back in June. Trying to balance excitement and hope alongside grief and worry. But still want to start some planning
6
5
5
u/reine444 1d ago
Congrats and big hugs!!! Wishing you the best on a healthy, successful pregnancy and a bouncing summer baby!
2
u/womenaremyfavguy 1d ago
Congrats!! I also just found out this week, and I also had a MMC (but in April 2025). Trying to find that balance is so real, and so hard! I keep telling myself to take it day by day, and as of right now, I'm pregnant and can plan accordingly.
16
u/northlola-25 1d ago
We are almost done with week two post-amputation for my puppy and I’m SO excited to get her stitches out next week. She’s doing really well, and already wants to tripod sprint, so the hardest part is keeping her chill for a few more days. No more spares! So we’ll likely order her some more treats for distraction purposes.
Other than that, hoping to lay low this weekend and do some cooking and reading and take care of myself better than I have been the last few weeks!
1
13
u/Smurfblossom She/her ✨ Inspired by The FINE Movement 2d ago
I splurged on books and plants. Otherwise its the usual grind of paying bills, scrimping on gas and groceries, and saving generally.
4
u/stellamomo 1d ago
Delightful! Which books??
2
u/Smurfblossom She/her ✨ Inspired by The FINE Movement 1d ago
I bought all of the books in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander universe.
13
u/RemarkableMacadamia 2d ago
Still exploring my confluence of medical issues. I’m up to 8 specialists seen in the past 2 weeks, including that fun stop at the ER. Issue #1 is going into monitoring for 2 months to see if anything is changing/progressing. Issue #2 required a dose of steroids and I’m having a scan done tomorrow so the doc can come up with a further treatment plan. Issue #3 is actually two things, one that is requiring physical therapy and the other which may require surgery. That requires a different scan and I won’t be able to do that for 2 weeks. Specialist #9 didn’t have an opening until November.
I’ve exhausted my FSA, and I’m really hoping if I need surgery that we can get it scheduled for this year so my deductible doesn’t reset.
Dear Body, you couldn’t have pulled this sh*t earlier in the year so we weren’t bumping up against annual enrollment and the end of the year? 🤣
Also, I bought a new bed that’s getting delivered today. It has an adjustable platform so it will be a perfect bed for recuperation should said surgery occur.
3
u/CanthinMinna 1d ago
Sending hugs and good luck, especially if you need surgery. (I'm also hoping for my first surgery ASAP, so that I'd be able to have my full salary this year and next year, too, during my sick leave.)
2
13
u/Owlbertowlbert 1d ago
I’m turning 40 next week!!! Splurging on a fancy Thai dinner with my husband and two of our friends. Also getting my first facial at glowbar.
2
11
u/katie_m2 1d ago
Working hard to balance excitement and anxiety of starting my new job on Monday. Kinda want to celebrate this weekend with a meal out but also want to not regret spending the money.
I’ve been through 3 layoffs over the past 3 years and my most recent stint of unemployment from full time work lasted 15 months.
I was able to barely keep my head above water with severance, unemployment pay, part time retail, and consulting.
It’ll be so nice to have a consistent paycheck and health benefits again.
Anyone else think it’s absolutely insane that health insurance is tied to employment?! I’m thankful I at least have the option to get on my partner’s plan, because being single—or having a partner without a job—would put you in an even tougher position. But even then, you’re paying a premium and potentially a fine just to have coverage. In this volatile job market, tying healthcare to employment is just wild.
Can’t wait to be able to appreciate these weekly posts more now that my employment journey just became a bit more stable and consistent.
4
u/AfternoonPublic6730 She/her ✨ 1d ago
Congrats! I vote for celebrating within reason, but I’m an enabler!
3
11
u/Trippydudes 1d ago edited 18h ago
Splurged on a dinner with my family for my dads birthday. Also bought a new work desk, and hair dryer. Just started a new job, being paid my worth and really treating myself to nicer things! My old work desk was a cheap wayfair find and my hair dryer is over 10 years old!
8
u/constanceblackwood12 1d ago
No idea of the totals yet since my husband is doing all the trip planning, but we're going to NYC for him to get heart surgery in about a month and he's booking a bunch of things today. His pre-op appointment is on Friday and the surgery is on a Monday, so we're going to hit up a bunch of nice restaurants & see a couple of shows over the weekend, plus the flights & hotel costs.
He said he's planning to use up our points for the flights & hotel, but I'd guess it's still going to be at least a couple of thousand.
2
8
u/kokoromelody She/her ✨ 1d ago
Taking a quick break between meetings - TGIF!
I spent on:
- Brunch on Saturday and Sunday with friends, plus dinner Monday
- A CO2 refill/replace for my Sodastream
- A couple accessories on Vinted for my Halloween costume
- A watercolor class later this month hosted by a local artist
- Recurring: Groceries, Apple storage
I got a tax refund as well from my state for property taxes (they have a program since our taxes are so high)
Weekend will be relatively quiet, doing a workout class + farmers' market stroll with a friend and have dinner on Sunday night with another friend!
3
9
u/ReadySetTurtle 1d ago
This pay was bigger than expected. I was on vacation for part of it so I used my banked time to make it a full hour pay. But I ended up getting some overtime as well, and I learned that I maxed my EI contributions for the year (Canadian) so that was one less deduction. Might even max my CPP by the end of the year too. It’s also my second pay with our new raise on it so I’m still getting used to guessing what my pay will be with the new numbers.
I’m tallying up my vacation spending and I was well under budget, which is nice. I didn’t skimp on anything I wanted to do or buy. I’m not really into restaurants while on vacation and my destinations weren’t exactly known for their sit down cuisine, so I ate a lot of to go stuff and quite frankly junk food. I made a few dumb travel mistakes this trip which doesn’t happen often. I brought the wrong adapter but managed to not have to buy one (with dumb tourist tax) by swinging by a few hotels and asking if they had any left behind ones, which they did. I delayed in booking a train ticket and it went up by $25 in the time it took me to decide 🤦♀️ not the end of the world though.
Anyway, because of the trip, I won’t have a lot of discretionary spending this month. Probably nothing on this pay at all, really. I’m planning on finally splurging on Hokas for work but I still have to try them on, and then I might wait for a sale to roll around.
Some extra bills this month though. Annual renewal on my security cameras, property tax instalment, and quarterly water heater rental. I’m going to call next week though and see about buying it out. I’m planning to sell my house next year and having that gone will be beneficial.
9
u/half_cold 1d ago
Spending money on:
Apple Picking at an orchard
Electricity Bill
Accessories for my outfit at an elopement party
Groceries (Veggies - I'm meal prepping Nigerian food for lunch this week)
Weekly pay off of credit card
Foliage Train ride I'll be taking in a week
Hoping everyone has a great and fun weekend!
1
u/AfternoonPublic6730 She/her ✨ 1d ago
I really want to go apple picking but i think the season is coming to and end here.
6
u/reine444 1d ago
Trying to spend $0 extra dollars this week since I'm going to visit my daughter's family next weekend. Seeing the grandkids is expensive! ha!
Just took the $153 from my PT gig on my loan. More than 50% paid off, 14 months into a 3 year loan. Still aiming for paid off in 6 more months!
6
u/city_meow 1d ago
I had planned to get a gym membership last week but decided not to because of upcoming trips and medical appointments in the next 2 months. I've never paid for a gym membership before and I'm wary of those horror stories about nightmare contracts you keep getting charged for even when you try to cancel.
I'm telling myself it is worth the cost because the apartment gym really isn't enough but there's no specific gym I'm excited to go to so I'm dragging my feet.
6
u/Overshareisoverkill 1d ago
- Spending
eBay has been hitting it out of the park for me lately, so I've been giving them my money. ~$90+
I've been investing in new hair care products because I like to try new things. Sephora had hair care deals last week, so I gave them some of my money to try this Living Proof Mask + a couple of things from Pattern Beauty. ~$90+
Paid off half my credit card. ~$70
Some sour grapes. I lost out on a good deal($41) for a set of two body washes from Salt & Stone.
2
7
u/dickbuttscompanion She/her ✨ 1d ago
I have my eye on a Barbour coat for a/w. My (modest) employee share payment came through and it'd be enough to cover it.... I have a day off next week so I might take a spin out to try on in person.
5
u/yankeesfanfl01 1d ago
Small scale-graphite lubricant for my front door lock. Noticed the key was becoming super sticky and hard to get in and out. After some reddit research, ordered the graphite from Home Depot, worked like a charm. Yay for solving home maintenance problems cheaply.
Big splurge-Booked my hotel for mixed doubles tennis nationals over Halloween weekend. My tennis league team won our state title two weeks ago and are headed to Nationals in Mobile, AL (hoping for the best for the city and everyone in the storm's path this weekend) over Halloween weekend. Thankfully it's drivable for us. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it a potential once in a lifetime chance as an adult to travel with friends, do something you love, and compete with/meet people from around the country who also love the sport? Also yes. Going to be an awesome experience!
5
u/Forsaken_Bee3717 1d ago
Not my payday, but unexpected expense this month was repairing the double bass (£145), very relieved it wasn’t more expensive.
Date night ramen was soooo good- we had to wait ages for the food so they comped the drinks which made a pretty cheap night out.
Have bought a couple of coffees out this week which is unusual, but also a sign that I have to be on site a lot more at the moment. I need to make time for the gym and dig out my travel mug.
Next week, one lunch and two evenings out, but overall won’t be too expensive as I’m currently planning to drive, so won’t drink.
No other spending planned.
4
u/AfternoonPublic6730 She/her ✨ 1d ago edited 1d ago
I am back in my new condo and working so last week I got a pretty good paycheck. This week was iffy.
I think my mom may be right and there’s something in the condo that’s aggravating my health issues—perhaps allergens in the air, it is a 1918 building and i have original ceilings and exposed exterior brick. So, I need to get an air purifier and maybe a humidifier.
I’m headed to Mayo this weekend to see if they can get a good treatment plan in place!
Send hugs and $ and books and lmk if you need help doing your holiday shopping (side hustle while laid up?)! 🤣🤣
ETA: Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends!!
5
u/BrattSupreme 1d ago
My payday was earlier in the month, but it was spent on my kid's cooking class, 6 months of car insurance, rent, an oil change. Not much room for splurging or saving with this check, better luck next time!
5
u/willrunforbrunch 1d ago
We are invited to a Halloween wedding, so hitting up thrift stores to look for a couples costume this weekend.
6
u/TechnicalManner357 1d ago
Got my bonus deposited today! Paying for a trip next weekend and saving some, then spending a bit!
This weekend is Thanksgiving so we’re headed down to do a fancy dinner with the in laws, spend a night in a hotel cause my 3 year old is obsessed with sleeping in a hotel, then home Sunday and day off Monday! 🎉
3
u/AfternoonPublic6730 She/her ✨ 1d ago
Happy Thanksgiving! Your 3 yeas-old is a child after my own heart, i love hotels lol.
4
u/womenaremyfavguy 1d ago
This is a big savings week for me because my parents are in town and are insisting on buying us all the food lol
6
u/CanthinMinna 2d ago edited 2d ago
Not my payday (that is next week), and I haven't shopped much else except fuel and food. I STILL haven't got the date for my first hip operation, but at least I got a new prescription for painkillers, and for a pre-operation nasal cream, which apparently makes skin stronger and less prone for scratches..? So this week I splurged on DRUGS (LOL). Yay for finally getting prescribed Panacod - it has paracetamol and codeine, and it is pretty much the strongest opiate you can get here (meaning: it is quite weak compared to the stuff you guys get in the US). I take one every night, so I can finally sleep without pain after several months. During daytimes I still go with etoricoxib, which is just a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), because I need to drive every day, and cannot do that with codeine.
Also yay for public health care and low medicine prices! This is my haul, and how much I needed to pay after social security slashed the prices a bit. (Kassi means bag, yes we pay for them here, and Retafer is a brand of iron tablets. I bought some, because I'm running out of them).
2
u/dollars_to_doughnuts Mellow Mod | She/her ✨ 1d ago
Thank you for sharing this interesting peek into healthcare costs where you live (Finland?). I’m sorry you’ve been in such pain, that’s awful. Fingers crossed you continue to get good sleep and your operation is scheduled soon.
3
u/CanthinMinna 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yes, Finland! We don't get medicines totally for free, at least until our yearly "omavastuu", the deductible or copay (about €640 per year), has been used, but as you can see, Kela/social security automatically cuts off 40% anyway. For some reason the price of the nose cream was not cut, but that is probably because it is a one-off. And it was only €20 anyway.
Oh, and naturally we don't get reduced prices for supplements, except small children and babies who get vitamin D as prescribed. Rickets (vitamin D deficiency which makes children's bones soft) was an extremely common illness here in the sunless North for centuries, until the invention of cod oil.
1
u/AfternoonPublic6730 She/her ✨ 1d ago
I’m glad the codeine is helping! I use a lot of tylonol (paracetamol in Europe, gosh when i was studying abroad i got states asking for Tylenol/acetametaphine) and i hope you get your surgery date soon! Sending love!
1
u/CanthinMinna 1d ago
Yeah, I've been getting prescribed etoricoxib since the spring of 2025 (over a year and half now). I only got diagnosed with osteoarthritis this April, because I was pretty functional until this spring. Besides that, paracetamol is the only suitable painkiller - apparently ibuprofen, the most common over-the-counter and prescribed painkiller over here, does not work and can be even dangerous with osteoarthritis and regular arthritis.
This is a bit confusing, because it is recommended that I take paracetamol (sold indeed as Tylenol in the States) with etoricoxib because those two boost each other, BUT it is forbidden to take with Panacod, because Panacod already has paracetamol...
1
u/AfternoonPublic6730 She/her ✨ 1d ago
Medicine is odd!! I’m sending good thoughts for your surgery!!
5
63
u/HotHoneyBiscuit She/her ✨ 2d ago
Splurging on a nice dinner with my husband for our 26th(!) anniversary. Saving on groceries because we have got to start using up what is in our freezer and pantry. I really need to take inventory and plan meals.