March 2019:: A positive end to the FY

Each month is an opportunity to be closer to financial independence:: March 2019.

We were able to meet our savings target in the last month of the financial year. The expenses were slightly higher than February but still below 20% of our earnings. Additionally, there was a significant

improvement in our equity portfolio due to improving market conditions. To summarize:

• The valuation of our equity portfolio increased by ~ Rs 1.5 lakhs.
• Unplanned medical and commute expenses ~13% of the total expense. 
• Limited our expenses on eating-out and partying to ~2%.   

Below is the pie-chart depicting category wise expenses:

Investments

We continued investments in FDs and mutual funds. Additionally, we started decreasing our exposure to direct equity(stocks).

Forecast for next month

Our investments in EPF, PPF and FDs will payout the yearly and quarterly interest in April. This will provide a boost to the retirement corpus.

We don’t have any travel plans. Therefore, the target is to limit the expenses to 17-18% of the earnings.   

Retirement corpus as on April 1st 2019 – Rs. 1,21,82,578

Previous month’s update: February 2019