I don't usually pay much attention to numbers other than an annual review.  But I figured I'd check in re: Emergency/Murphy year from hell.

First 6 months 2025:  In the black every month (earned more than spent), except for June when I had a $4,500 college bill.

First 6 months 2026: In the red February through May.  I have no idea how I ended up in the black in June.  We had several big expenditures, including more home repairs. 

Second half of 2026: I suppose that MM(22) could get a job tomorrow and our expenses could decrease drastically at that point.  But the only known at this point is that I no longer will have MM's college expenses.  

2025 vs 2026 spending: We've spent $19,000 more this half year, more than we spent last January through June.  

Details:

$6,000 College (more college expenses re: MM Year 5, but this is gone now)

$4,000 Home Repairs 

$4,000 Medical

$6,500 Emergency Vet

--------

$20,500 - Obvious reasons for increase in spending

This does not include things like paying an extra $3,000 in taxes (more FICA paid with raise; withholding more taxes re: loss of college tax credits)

I am grateful that this all happened this year.  We had so much going on last year and opportunities we were able to take advantage of.  The early year emergencies gave us the memo that there won't be much fun spending this year.  It set the expectation early.

I was cutting back retirement savings, intending to spend and enjoy more.  🙄 *This* is not what I had in mind.  But I have to admit it's one more reason I am probably stressing a lot less than I would be otherwise.  We will try again next year, re: more fun spending.

After all that, we somehow ended June with $2,400 in cash (above emergency funds).  It feels like a miracle we haven't had to dip into our emergency funds.  Will see what the rest of the year brings.

Side note:  By far not an all inclusive list of murphy year from hell, but it's the big/expensive stuff. 

Big picture: Net worth is up $50K.  

Details:

-$10,000 Cash (Medical Emergencies)

-$10,000 Investments (College Expenses)

+$ 5,000 Mortgage Decrease

+$65,000 Retirement 

It's always hard to sweat the smaller stuff when wealth is growing faster than we can spend.