Don't use all capslock.
IF you use the 15 point buy, the suggested wealth by level tables and have 3~5 players then an encounter that has a CR equal to the level of the party should use about 20% of the party's resources.
A party should be able to take a CR of party level +1~2 with some trouble and a party level +3 CR monster should be difficult.
Page 396 to 399 of the core rule book, all new GMs should read this section. All caps makes it seem like your yelling.