Starting Net Worth: $135,664
February was another relatively normal month for us financially. We continued making deposits into our retirement accounts with each paycheck so we could consistently purchase new shares. Even though the stock market declined overall during the month, our account balances held steady because of the new contributions we made. As always, when the market is down, we like to view it as an opportunity to buy shares at lower prices.
February was also the final month of a special student loan repayment plan I had been using since 2022. Under this program, my employer sent a portion of my income directly to my student loan provider. This allowed that portion of income to avoid all forms of income tax, and every dollar went straight toward paying down the loan. When Congress passed the bill that created this benefit, they designated 2025 as the last year it could be used. Over the three years I participated, this program helped reduce my student loan balance by about $20,000, which put me far ahead of the standard repayment schedule. With my remaining balance down to $5,700 at an interest rate of 2.75 percent, I decided it made sense to continue with the minimum payment for now. This approach keeps our monthly expenses predictable while allowing us to focus more of our cash flow on other financial goals.
Ending Net Worth: $143,078
None of the above information is a recommendation. This blog is purely intended as commentary on things that have happened along our financial journey.