Starting the new year off right

Financial literacy is extremely important. I currently work a part time delivery job and make some money through school. I’m not bragging, just proud because of all the setbacks and stress I’ve had to endure over the last 3 years.

Between those two things I manage around $3k/mo. I’ve lowered my COL which includes food/gas/oil changes, to $1600. The amazing thing is, I haven’t changed my lifestyle any. I still eat out, travel cheaply, go out for drinks from time to time. I calculated the last 3 months from Sep to Dec and I still managed to save minimum $850/mo. This also includes having to pay for $1500 for college classes every 4 months.

It feels good to know that even without an education, a good job, working full time, or having side hustles. I still manage to save nearly $1k/mo. This year alone I cleared an extra savings of $8k. I’m now up to $30k savings after not working consistently for the last 7 years. I know what you’re thinking, that’s all? I see all the posts of 21 year olds saving $80k by the time they leave their parent’s house. I get it. But for me, I struggled to find myself and even harder to find myself in college. I was near the end of my rope a few times because of my own bad habits. Porn, video games, drinking. Still worked as a police officer and still worked in the government. I had good jobs but, not jobs I loved or that treated me with any decency.

My point of this post is to point out that it’s not always about things you’re not doing. Sometimes you’re simply doing too much. I live extremely frugally and have roommates so that my bills are low. I have like two subscriptions and my apartment has its own gym. This year I’ll be 32 and while it took me forever to figure it out. Financial literacy has always been with me. I’ve never moved back home or lived with family since I moved out at 20. I’ve done this mostly on my own and slowly built from nothing. Though I had good jobs, I’ve never made more than $40k in any one year. Though I’ve also never been in debt a single day in my life. I’ve had phone payments and car loans but, I only count debt as missed payments and money owed outside of a set timeline. I could be doing better but, honestly I’m doing pretty great despite everything.

This post is just a pat on the back at the start of the new year. Even though things didn’t always go my way, I always managed to stay financially stable no matter the circumstance. I even rebuilt my savings, twice. I’m really proud of myself and wanted to share my journey here.

TL:DR I make little money but, manage to save $1k/mo and have a savings of $30k with no debt at 31 just by practicing financial literacy. I made this post to be proud of myself at the start of 2025 despite setbacks.