May ’10 Net Worth Update (-2.44%)

Well my wife and I celebrated our first year of marriage together and also our first month of seeing our net worth actually decrease.  It was really no fault of our own however as most of the decrease is primarily due to the drop in the stock market.  Our net worth is still up 68% since we first got married which is really amazing when you think about it.  I do not expect it to grow at that fast of a pace simply due to the fact we are now down to primarily one income.

Cash– Cash dropped mostly due to our vacation in San Diego in the middle of the month.  It was good to report that we actually came up under budget on our trip and still had a blast! We still have $10,000 as an emergency fund and the rest is set aside to cover the possible replacement of our cars and my wife’s college tuition in June.

Employee Stock Purchase Program– Nothing new to report here, as another $1,667 was taken out of my paycheck and will be used to buy company stock at the end of the quarter which is June 30th.

House-I have recently tried some of the online home evaluators and got a wide range of values. The average was around the $95,000 and I will be using the amount for a while.

Retirement-Got hit by the stock market drop in May.  We are still holding steady by contributing 15% of our pay each month into our 401(K) and IRA.  The stock market swings are enough to give anyone an ulcer.  Good thing we are in it for the long haul.

Pension-Same contribution as last month. This amount should stay steady until October or November of this year.

Mortgage-This amount represent about an extra $150 that we are applying to our principal each month.  Right now on our pace it is going to take us approximately 9 years and 3 months.  Our goal is pay it off sooner than that however.

You can see past net worth updates at the net worth history page.

April ’10 Net Worth Update (+2.17%)

April saw another nice increase in our net worth. It might be a little slow going this summer though as my wife is leaving her job and going back to school. That will definitely slow down the cash flow for the time being but we have the cushion to get through it.

Cash– The quarterly sale of stock in the employee stock purchase program was the main reason for the increase. Cash will be taking a little hit the next few months as we have our anniversary trip to San Diego in May, my wife’s college tuition in June, and the funding on my financial coaching business. We still have $10,000 as an emergency fund and the rest is set aside the expenses mentioned above.

Employee Stock Purchase Program– As previously noted our ESPP account was depleted to buy stock on March 31st. That stock was sold in the beginning of April and put into our cash reserves. The April amount equals one month’s pay that will be used to buy stock at the end of the fourth quarter.

House-I have recently tried some of the online home evaluators and got a wide range of values. The average was around the $95,000 and I will be using the amount for a while.

Retirement-Big increase in retirement accounts for the month of April. We are currently making contributions into our 401(K) and ROTH IRA accounts. As noted before, the stock market had a great first quarter and those gains extended into April.

Pension-Same contribution as last month. This amount should stay steady until October or November of this year.

Mortgage-As mentioned above, with my wife quitting her job and going to college we are down to one income so no more triple mortgage payments. After seeing the principal reduce by $1,800 each month for the past few weeks, it looks different to only pay down ~$475. For now we are just paying $200 extra a month but are looking into ways to pay down more.

You can see past net worth updates at the net worth history page.

March ’10 Net Worth Update (+6.23%)

March included hitting a milestone as we crossed the $100,000 mark!  We might actually dip below that in April due to some cash expenses described below but it is exciting to see our net worth grow.  After hitting the six figure mark our next goal is the seven-figure mark although that is a few years away. 🙂

Cash-The usual decrease for the month, the balance will decrease a little in April and May due to some big financial changes for us which will be discussed about in the coming weeks.  Also in May is our one year anniversary trip to San Diego!  Our flight and hotel are already paid for but there will be money spent on food, entertainment, and a car while we are out there. 

Employee Stock Purchase Program– End of a quarter so the amount is maxed out at $5,000.  Stock was bought at the close of business on March 31^st and after quickly selling it will be posted to my checking account in about a week.

House-I have recently tried some of the online home evaluators and got a wide range of values. The average was around the $95,000 and I will be using the amount for a while.

Retirement-Big increase in retirement in the month of March as only a third of the increase is due to contributions into our 401(K) and ROTH IRA accounts.  Starting in 2010 my company began offering a ROTH 401(K)feature which I started to participate in.

Pension-Back to the normal contribution this month.  This amount should stay steady until October or November of this year. 

Mortgage-Another triple mortgage payment reduces the principal by ~$1,800!  We are trying to pay down the mortgage as quickly as we can and it is really cool to see the principle reduced by big chunks every month.  I have added a sidebar on the right side of the blog that has a graph that charts our progress as well as a goal sheet that shows how much time we have left.  At our current pace we will pay the mortgage off in 3 years and 2 months.

You can see past net worth updates at the net worth history page.

February ’10 Net Worth Update (+6.32%)

February turned out to be the best net worth month since September.  Another good month in March and we might even cross over the $100,000 mark!

Cash-Usually cash decreases a lot more but was offset by my 2009 bonus I received from my employer.  The bonus has pretty much been spent on our anniversary trip in May except for around $1,000.

Employee Stock Purchase Program– Nothing new to report here, as another $1,667 was taken out of my paycheck and will be used to buy company stock at the end of the quarter which is March 31st.

House-I have recently tried some of the online home evaluators and got a wide range of values. The average was around the $95,000 and I will be using the amount for a while.

Retirement-The market rebounded some from its January decline.  Over half of the increase is due to about $1,100 contributed into our 401(K) and ROTH IRA accounts.  Starting in 2010 my company began offering a ROTH 401(K) feature which I started to participate in.

Pension-Increased more than normal due to the bonus paid as well as interest for 2009’s balance being credited to my account.  Next month the increase should go back to its regular $172.76.

Mortgage-Another triple mortgage payment reduces the principal by ~$1,800!  We are trying to pay down the mortgage as quickly as we can and it is really cool to see the principle reduced by big chunks every month.  I have added a sidebar on the right side of the blog that has a graph that charts our progress as well as a goal sheet that shows how much time we have left.  At our current pace we will pay the mortgage off in 3 years and 3 months.

You can see past net worth updates at the net worth history page.

January ’10 Net Worth Update (+1.95%)

2010 started out with the lowest increase since June and included an actual dip in total assets but still an overall increase none the less.

Cash-The quarterly sale of stock in the employee stock purchase program was the main reason for the increase. The cash is made up of a $10,000 emergency fund while the rest is mostly in savings for a car/vacation.

Employee Stock Purchase Program– As previously noted, our ESPP account was depleted to buy stock on December 31st. That stock was sold on January 10^th and put into our cash reserves. The January amount equals one month’s pay that will be used to buy stock at the end of the fourth quarter.

House-I have recently tried some of the online home valuators and got a wide range of values. The average was around the $95,000 and I will be using the amount for a while.

Retirement-For the first time in a while the stock market hit a downturn. The actual loss was much greater considering we contributed about $1,100 into our 401(K) and ROTH IRA accounts. Starting this month my company will be began offering a ROTH 401(K) feature which I started to participate in.

Pension-A new year means a reset on the level on contributions put into my pension each month. The $172.76 will be constant for most of 2010.

Mortgage-Another triple mortgage payment reduces the principal by ~$1,800!  I have discussed our decision to pay down the mortgage as quickly as we can before. It is really cool to see the principle reduced by big chunks every month. At our current rate, we will pay the mortgage off on July, 2013. We have decided against refinancing for now due to the breakeven point being 24 months.

You can see past net worth updates at the net worth history page.

December ’09 Net Worth Update (+4.67%)

Another good month to close out a great 2009. The most significant thing that occurred this month was the fact our net worth is now greater then our liabilities!

Net Worth Dec '09

Cash-Dropped a little more the normal do to the Christmas season. Still a $13,000 increase since this time last year is always pleasant. The cash is made up of a $10,000 emergency fund while the rest is mostly in savings for a car/vacation.

Employee Stock Purchase Program– End of a quarter so the amount is maxed out at ~$5,000. Stock was bought at the close of business on Dec 31^st and will be posted to my account in about a week. I’ll sell it soon after for a quick 11% profit.

House-I have recently tried some of the online home valuators and got a wide range of values. The average was around the $95,000 and I will be using the amount for a while.

Retirement-Another good month in the stock market as about half of the gain was due to appreciation while the other half was contributions. Starting in January, my company will be offering a ROTH 401(K) feature which I will be participating in. Overall our investments are up around or over 30% since the beginning of the year.

Pension-I passed the income threshold in November so that is the reason for the increase. From month to month you barely notice the $200 increase, but over time it is nice to see that build up.

Mortgage-Another triple mortgage payment reduces the principal by ~$1,775! I have discussed our decision to pay down the mortgage as quickly as we can before. It is really cool to see the principle reduced by big chunks every month. At our current rate, we will pay the mortgage off on July, 2013. We have decided against refinancing for now due to the breakeven point being 24 months. For 2009 we paid off over $21,000 in principal.

You can see past net worth updates at the net worth history page.

October ’09 Net Worth Update (+4.66%)

October was another good month net worth month, although not quite as good as September, but still good overall.  We finally got caught up on our ROTH IRA contributions for the year.

Net Worth Oct '09

Cash-The huge increase this month was due to the sale of some company stock in the Employee stock purchase program (ESPP).  That contributed approx $5,400 in increases.  That was offset by our catch up funding to our ROTH IRA.  We contributed about $1,400 between my wife and me, so now most of our balance less our $10,000 emergency fund is for our vacation/car fund.

Employee Stock Purchase Program-As previously noted, our ESPP account was depleted to buy stock on September 30^th.  That stock was sold on October 9^th and put into our cash reserves.  The October amount equals one month’s pay that will be used to buy stock at the end of the fourth quarter.

House-A few condos have sold for more then the $95,000 that is on the balance sheet.  I think we have might have hit the bottom of the real estate market.  With that being said I am still leaving the condo valued at $95,000 for now.  I would rather be conservative then jumping the gun.

Retirement-Unfortunately all of the gain is 401(K) and IRA contributions.  The stock market has stayed flat for the most part this month.  Still overall our investments are up around or over 30% since the beginning of the year.

Pension-Back to the normal contribution.  This amount will increase ever so slightly in November and December due to hitting the next income level threshold.

Mortgage-Another triple mortgage payment reduces the principal by ~$1,750!  I have discussed our decision to pay down the mortgage pretty as quick as we can before. It is really cool to see the principle reduced by big chunks every month.  At our current rate, we will pay the mortgage off on July, 2013.  I have decided against refinancing for now due to the breakeven point being 24 months.

You can see past net worth updates at the net worth history page.

September ‘09 Net Worth update (+7.66%)

Like August, September was another good month, mostly due to increases in retirement accounts as well as a triple mortgage payment.  We like seeing these $5,000 a month increases in net worth.   After going through last autumn and winter with sharp decreases it is definitely something I can get used to.

 

Networth Sep '09

Cash-Cash decreased slightly.  This is mostly due to contributions to my Employee stock purchase program (ESPP) as well as paying an additional $1,450 on the mortgage.  Currently we have a nice cushion but some of that is going towards a trip and possible IRA funding down the road.  

ESPP-This is a quarter end month.  That means the $5,001 I have in the account will be used to buy company stock which I will turn around the next day and sell at an 11.11% profit!  This will occur during the first week of October, so I will post an update how it goes like last quarter.

House-A few condos have sold for more then the $95,000 that is on the balance sheet.  I think we have might have hit the bottom of the real estate market.  With that being said I am still leaving the condo valued at $95,000 for now.  I would rather be conservative then jumping the gun.

Retirement-It is nice to see our retirement accounts continue to rebound.  Starting this month, instead of contributing 9% of my paycheck to the company 401(K), I am only contributing 6% which is the company match.  The extra 3% will now be going to my ROTH IRA. The wife and I did each open up a ROTH IRA for 2009.  We only contributed $250 each, but will contribute more before the year is up.

Pension-The increase is larger this month due to a lump sum raise paid out by my employer this month.  I should cross the threshold in November which will bump up my contribution in December.

Mortgage-A reduction of approx ~ $1,750!  I have discussed our decision to pay down the mortgage pretty as quick as we can before. It is really cool to see the principle reduced by big chunks every month.  At our current rate, we will pay the mortgage off on July, 2013.  I have decided against refinancing for now due to the breakeven point being 24 months.

You can see past net worth updates at my net worth history page.

US Net Worth grows in 2Q. What can we learn

I ran across this article from the A/P titled “US Net worth grew in 2Q for first time since ‘07”. It is based on data from the Federal Reserve and I noticed some interesting facts and figures:

Americans’ wealth rose this spring for the first time in nearly two years, with stocks and home values gaining as the recession faded.

 

The Federal Reserve said net worth grew by $2 trillion to $53.1 trillion in the April-to-June quarter. Net worth, or the value of assets such as homes, checking accounts and investments minus debts like mortgages and credit cards, rose nearly 4 percent from the first quarter, the Fed said.

 

The increase in the second quarter was led by stock portfolios, according to the Fed report. The value of Americans’ stock holdings rose 21.6 percent from the first quarter, the first increase in two years.

Net worth also was boosted slightly by higher home prices. The value of real-estate holdings rose 1.8 percent, according to the Fed report. That was the first gain since the final quarter of 2006.

The report showed that total household debt — including mortgages, credit cards, autos and other consumer loans — stood at $13.7 trillion in the second quarter. That’s down slightly from $13.8 trillion in the first three months of this year. It suggests that households are trimming debt, but doing so slowly.

This shows how volatile net worth really can be. The total net worth increased by $2 trillion while debt only decreased by $.1 trillion, meaning most of the increase was due to assets increasing value such as stocks and homes, which are two things you can not really “control”.

It is good to see stocks re-gain some of their value after their depressing drop last fall and winter. Seem to me that those who did not panic and sell their stocks at the bottom and instead rode out the downturn and actually bought more share are reaping their rewards.

The moral of the story to me is that even when you do things right financially, in the short term it might not always turn out well. But in the long term it will lead to financial growth and prosperity.

Net Worth History

I added a net worth history side page.  It’s updated with information starting back in June ’08 to the present along with an area graph as well as some back history.  I am not posting it to brag about or show off.  It is just simply a way for me to track our progress and see where we have come from and where we are going.  Comments are always welcome.