This Month in Finances (March 2025)

This Month in Finances (March 2025)

The last few months have been a difficult time of random expenses popping up in and out. So much so, that I have had to drop my savings rate from 34% including employer match to 27% including employee match. This really stirred something up inside of me. I started to have more anxious thoughts coming in and out throughout life. Taking steps back always makes me really sad and I worked so hard to build up that savings rate for it to have to drop nearly 10% within a year of having the savings rate. My finances have been pretty sad as of late. The new goal is $400 instead of $700. This $100 a week paying myself first is more than enough to reach my goals of maxing out a Roth IRA and filling my emergency fund back from a horrific February.

I was able to cut my entertainment expenses by $500 from over $700 spent last month to a little over $200 for this month. My housing went down $20, my “other” category also went down. Still had to buy a random tire at the beginning of the month but that was the only other expense. My grocery expenses went up, but I had to pay a subscription yearly fee to have my Walmart delivered. Living in Central Florida the Walmarts are extremely busy here and to have it delivered is probably my favorite subscription in my life. No fuss, just groceries straight to the door. I really don’t have any complaints about it. Maybe it has made me throw out more fruit than before because I don’t hand pick them. Tolls were also more expensive as I had to drive out to my college more and they have toll roads there.

Category	Amount
Housing	$      1,051.10
Gas	$          159.16
Tolls	$          100.00
Shopping	$          617.00
Entertainment	$          266.27
Other	$          137.00
Total	$      2,330.53

My income still remains low. I have added a few extra income increases but still not much in that area. It remains low. One saving grace I had this month was a grant payout by UCF to put $1000 in my pockets. For next month, I have a travel agent booking, and a new bank account bonus that should be hit this month or next month to push me over my goals. With all income streams I was able to hit $3,534.13 which powered me to my goal of $400 a month. It actually paid for that goal for the next three months. Which has eased my mind a bit. Even though I had to decrease investment areas I was still able to push along and hit my goals.

Income	Expenses	Profit
$      3,534.15	$      2,330.53	$      1,203.62

I feel good. This was a month I really needed. My emergency fund is getting larger, I have some more breathing room. Looking into the months ahead. My housing costs will increase but I think I can still be okay. It is much better than spending over $3,000 more than I made last month.

My income is still so low though. It has been something I have fought with over and over again. I have been able to have a good savings rate but that is also because I don’t make much. Overall, a good month and a decent outlook in finances.