Analysis: 2026-03
Last updated: 2026-03-27 17:00
Summary
March brought in $7,338 in income (one paycheck each) against $15,619 in spending, resulting in a -$8,583 net — a heavy month driven by SLUH tuition, a large lump-sum debt payoff, and a Colorado trip. The good news: $10,494 went toward debt payments, dramatically reducing balances.
Spending Highlights
- Housing/Mortgage — $3,677 — Normal. Mortgage payment as expected.
- Education — $3,318 — SLUH tuition payment ($3,247). One-time per semester, expected.
- Groceries — $1,632 — High. Whole Foods, Costco, Schnucks, and Straub's combined pushed this well above a typical month. Worth watching.
- Dining Out — $1,256 — High. Includes the Colorado trip dining plus regular St. Louis meals. Multiple Shake Shack, TST venues, and restaurant visits added up.
- Shopping — $1,006 — Elevated. REI ($345 combined), J. Crew, PacSun, Nike, and Polo Factory all hit this month — some trip-related.
- Travel — $961 — Colorado trip (Best Western Fort Collins, Embassy Suites Boulder, parking). One-time.
- Pets — $449 — High. Chewy ($207) + Wolfgang's grooming ($242). Chewy was likely a big supply restock.
Debt Progress
Per the payment schedule, the March paycheck debt payments ($988 × 2 Chris, $819 × 2 Jennifer) went to Amazon card:
- Amazon — on track to be paid off by mid-April per plan
- $10,494 in Debt Payment transfers recorded — includes the large lump-sum payoff already applied
See Payment Schedule for full payoff timeline.
vs Last Month (February)
| Category | Feb | Mar | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | $14,676 | $7,338 | -$7,338 (one paycheck vs two) |
| Groceries | $1,358 | $1,632 | +$274 ↑ |
| Dining Out | $915 | $1,256 | +$341 ↑ |
| Shopping | $504 | $1,006 | +$502 ↑ |
| Travel | $758 | $961 | +$203 ↑ |
| Utilities | $1,649 | $811 | -$838 ↓ (Feb had catch-up bills) |
| Miscellaneous | $1,010 | $264 | -$746 ↓ |
| Fees/Interest | $431 | $302 | -$129 ↓ |
March income was half of February's (one paycheck cycle vs two). Most spending categories increased due to the Colorado trip.
Colorado Trip Breakdown
The Boulder/Denver/Fort Collins trip totaled ~$1,620 spread across several categories:
| Category | Items | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | Courtyard Cherry Creek, CitizenM, Budget rental car, Best Western (Ft. Collins), Embassy Suites (Boulder) | -$960.78 |
| Shopping | REI Boulder, PacSun Denver, Cherry Creek, SP Art Source Boulder | -$318.74 |
| Dining Out | Fat Shack, Post Brewing, Tasuki Sushi, Illegal Pete's | -$228.22 |
| Transportation | Circle K gas (Lyons), parking (Denver meters, CU, PMC), CF United Apro | -$103.61 |
| Entertainment | Pinball Jones (Ft. Collins) | -$8.98 |
| Total | -$1,620.33 |
Excluding the CO trip, total spending would have been approximately $13,999 vs. the $15,619 reported.
Watch Items
- Groceries — $1,632 is running high; aim to keep under $1,200 in April
- Dining Out — without a trip in April, this should drop significantly; target under $800
- Amazon card payoff — confirm balance hits $0 by mid-April per the payment schedule