Overall

In September, our net worth increased $3,400.08 to a total of $492,259.04 (see spreadsheet screenshot).   The increase can from retirement savings contributions and paying down debt.  The biggest

surprise this month was to learn on 9/28/16 that my company is laying off my team and our final day is 10/3/16.  I will receive 3 weeks severance, ~7 days cashed out PTO, and a final bonus check of ~$2,400 gross.

Retirement Accounts

Our retirement accounts are comprised of our 401(k)s, our Roth IRAs and our Traditional IRAs.  We contribute 10% to my 401(k) and 5% to my wife’s 401(k).  My company matches up to $1,000 per year (vested over five years).  My wife’s company matches up to 5% of her 401(K) contribution and chips in an additional 5% on top of the match (both 100% vested when deposited).  This month, we contributed $400 to my 401(k).  My wife contributed $732.10 to her 401(k) and her company deposited another $1,000.00 into her 401(k) for her 5% match and 5% extra “chip in”.   The total balance of our retirement accounts increased $3,021.08 from last month to a total of $194,675.10.

Brokerage Account

Currently, our brokerage account consists of one stock (my wife’s old company) that went down $34.32 this month.  Our balance is $172.00on a $2,000.00 in initial investment.  Riding this one straight to the bottom!

Cash & Savings Accounts

Cash and savings accounts consists of a small sum of cash at home and our online savings account balance. It does not include our checking account balance that we use to pay our bills each month.  This month our cash and savings accounts decreased $2,595.64, bringing the total to $4,886.17.  We used $2,000 as a downpayment for a new (used) car.

College Savings Accounts

Our kids have 529 Plans through Vanguard.  This month, we contributed $0 to our son’s 529 Plan and it increased $69.43 from last month to a total balance of $16,303.63.  We also contributed $0 to our daughter’s 529 Plan and it increased $13.15 over last month to a total balance of $7,917.51.

Home

We use the $528K purchase price that we paid in July 2016 for our home value.  Current comps in the area are ~$530K.  The current balance of our 15-year, 2.85% mortgage loan is $259,838.54.  We paid $0 extra towards principal this month.  Even so, it was amazing to see how much of our first payment went towards principal ($1,161.46 of our $1,786.77 mortgage payment).

Cars

My wife and I both have company vehicles.  I lose my company vehicle on 10/3, so we purchased a used sedan with 60K miles for $12,500 plus tax and fees.  We put $2K down and are financing $11,692.65 for 60 months at 1.99%.  We are also carrying a small $1,164.18 loan balance (3.29%) on a vehicle that we sold in August 2016.  We don’t mind paying the $3.06 in interest this month to keep more cash on hand.

Credit Card Balance

We do not currently have a credit card balance that is not paid in full each month.