The Money Muse

Q3 of 2025 brought a mix of growth and change for my finances, and it’s been exciting to track the progress. Between a stronger-than-expected Etsy performance, steady income from my salaried job, and consistent investment contributions, this quarter highlighted the power of disciplined saving and strategic investing. Even with life changes like a move and a modest increase in living expenses, it’s clear that focusing on long-term goals pays off.

Let’s dive in:

• Income. My after-tax income for Q3 2025 was $16.6K. About 76% of this was from my salaried job, and the remaining 24% was from my Etsy shop. Q3 on Etsy was better than Q2; I made nearly double on Etsy in Q3 vs. Q2! The past few weeks, my shop has seemed to slow down, but I need to stay focused and keep in perspective how much this little side hustle has grown!
• Investment contributions. Before taxes, I contributed $1.9K to my 401(K), including an employer match. From my after-tax income, I put $1.7K into my Roth IRA and $5.1K into my brokerage account. In total, I invested 41% of my after-tax income in Q3 of 2025. This is a high percentage of my income – I normally aim for around 50% (the Money Guys recommend 25%). For the most part, I invest my money in VTI, Vanguard’s total stock market ETF. This move was inspired by JL Collins’ Simple Path to Wealth (a great personal finance book that I highly recommend!). 
• Investment performance. My net worth increased $32.5K (+10%) in Q3 of 2025, with my 401(k) experiencing the highest percentage increase (+11.4%), followed by my taxable brokerage (+10.9%), and my Roth IRA (+10.3%). This is the second highest dollar amount increase I’ve experienced while writing these recaps!
• Future plans and goals. I ended up moving at the end of August, and my cost of living did end up increasing – but not by that much! My rent increased up $350, but I split that with my partner. We’re living in a nicer part of town, walking distance to more of the places we enjoy. We did end up spending a lot during the moving process, and my goal is to rein it in and get back on track, especially because Q4 ends up being a big season of spending too.

Overall, Q3 was a strong quarter for building wealth, with net worth growth, robust investment returns, and a thriving side hustle. While moving and higher living costs presented challenges, I’m motivated to rein in spending in Q4 and maintain momentum. Staying consistent with contributions to my 401(k), Roth IRA, and brokerage, while keeping an eye on expenses, continues to reinforce the value of disciplined financial planning and long-term investing.