Data Analyses

Numbers that
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Data-driven reports that translate complex information into clear, honest insights — helping you understand where you actually stand, so you can decide where to go next.

7
Charts & graphics
6
Months of data
26
Weeks analyzed
1
Report published
2025 Financial Report — Quarters 1 & 2
📅 March 2026⏱ 12 min read
A rigorous personal cash flow analysis covering six months of spending data — from monthly inflows and outflows to weekly net trends and a breakdown of essential vs. discretionary costs.
Key Findings
  • Net loss of $1,548 over H1 2025
  • Average weekly cash flow: -$59.54
  • Discretionary spending consistently exceeded 20% guideline
  • May was the strongest earning month at $6,851
Personal Finance

2025 Financial Report
Quarters 1 & 2

By Austin Matera  ·  March 2026  ·  Personal cash flow analysis covering January–June 2025

This report summarizes six months of personal banking data, organized to provide clarity on earning patterns, spending habits, and overall cash flow trajectory. The goal isn't just to present numbers — it's to ask the honest questions those numbers raise, and to use data as a tool for behavioral change.

Cash Flow Analysis

Monthly Inbound & Outbound Cash Flows

The following table summarizes total monthly earnings (credits) versus total monthly expenses (debits) across all six months.

MonthEarningsExpensesNet
January$6,103-$6,624-$521
February$4,302-$4,321-$19
March$4,656-$5,967-$1,311
April$4,333-$5,421-$1,088
May$6,851-$4,599+$2,252
June$4,432-$5,290-$858
Exercise 1 — Identifying Your Seasons of Earning & Spending

When during the year did you spend the most, and when during the year did you earn the most? January and May stand out as the highest earning months, while January and March saw the heaviest spending. May is the only month with a positive net cash flow.

Weekly Net Cash Flow Summary

-$2,761
Worst week (minimum)
-$59.54
Average net weekly flow
+$1,812
Best week (maximum)
The most important metric here is the average net weekly cash flow of -$59.54. When this figure is below zero, it means you are losing money on average each week. Over the course of these first two financial quarters, the total net loss was $1,548.
Exercise 2 — Identifying Your Worst Cash Flow Months

Review the net monthly figures. Your three worst months were March (-$1,311), April (-$1,088), and June (-$858). All three are negative. These months share one thing in common: earnings were below $4,700 while spending continued near the $5,000–$6,000 range.

Spending Analysis

Essential Spending

Essential expenses include rent, food, medical costs, and other non-negotiable living costs. The general guideline is to keep these below 60% of monthly income.

MonthEarningsEssential Expenses% of Income
January$6,103$2,45240.2%
February$4,302$2,44156.7%
March$4,656$2,84261.0%
April$4,333$2,14549.5%
May$6,851$2,58137.7%
June$4,432$2,64659.7%
Exercise 4 — Are basic life costs drowning me?

Two months (March and June) either met or exceeded the 60% threshold. The average hovers around 51% — just under the danger zone. On months with lower earnings, essential costs become a proportionally heavier burden. Consider whether fixed costs like rent or subscriptions can be renegotiated or reduced.

Discretionary Spending

Discretionary expenses — dining, travel, entertainment, shopping — should ideally account for no more than 20% of monthly income, with another 20% going to savings.

MonthEarningsDiscretionary Expenses% of Income
January$6,103$4,17168.3%
February$4,302$1,88143.7%
March$4,656$2,83961.0%
April$4,333$3,27775.6%
May$6,851$2,01929.5%
June$4,432$2,50556.5%
Every single month exceeded the 20% discretionary guideline. April was particularly striking at 75.6%. The top discretionary categories across the period were Food & Drink, Travel, and Shopping — all highly behavioral and adjustable.
Exercise 7 — How am I spending frivolously?

Review your top three discretionary categories and the range they swing across months. Are you a person who just can't help but go out for drinks and coffee? What about travel — are you consistently booking trips? Identifying your "leak" category is the first step toward plugging it.

Final Thoughts

Congratulations on taking the first step — downloading your financial data, formatting it, and doing an honest review of your financial habits. That isn't easy. Your situation won't change overnight, and you can't solve every quirk in one go.

To get started, pick one thing to improve, set a measurable goal, and track your progress daily. A simple daily tally of spending in your Notes app — with a reminder set at a convenient time — can be one of the most effective habit changes you can make. In the past, a goal of spending no more than $150 per week on non-grocery food and drink was enough to change behavior within days: instead of the easy choice, cooking what was already in the fridge became the default.

Try it, and see what changes.