Starting Net Worth: $304,807
June was a more expensive month than normal for our family, but it was also a great example of why having a financial plan matters.
During the month, we took our summer vacation to the College World Series, which was a memorable experience and something we had been looking forward to for quite some time. We also had a veterinary appointment for one of our dogs, including his annual checkup and preparations for an upcoming neutering procedure. On top of that, we celebrated my birthday with friends and family.
None of these expenses were necessarily surprising, but together they created a month where spending was noticeably higher than usual. This is a good reminder that financial success is not about having the lowest expenses possible every month. Instead, it is about planning ahead and creating room in your budget for the things that matter most. Life will always bring vacations, celebrations, home repairs, medical expenses, and unexpected costs. The goal is not to avoid these experiences but to prepare for them so they do not derail your long-term financial goals.
June also provided an important investing lesson. The stock market experienced its share of ups and downs throughout the month and ultimately finished lower than where it began. While market declines are never enjoyable, they are a normal part of the investing process. Fortunately, investing success is not determined by what happens in a single month. Despite the market's decline, we continued contributing to our retirement accounts and brokerage account as planned. As a result, our overall account balances still increased slightly, although not by as much as we contributed during the month.
This highlights an important principle for long-term investors: focus on what you can control. We cannot control market returns, economic headlines, or short-term volatility. What we can control is how much we save, how consistently we invest, and whether we stay committed to our plan. Some months the market will do most of the heavy lifting. Other months your contributions will be responsible for nearly all of your progress. Both are part of the journey.
June was a reminder that building wealth is not about perfection. It is about consistently making good decisions, enjoying the important moments in life, and continuing to invest for the future regardless of what the market is doing in the short term.
Ending Net Worth: $302,700
None of the above information is a recommendation. This blog is purely intended as commentary on things that have happened along our financial journey.