In January, our net worth decreased $49.54, to a total of $245,407.70 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked
In January, we began a 5% contribution to my wife’s 401(K) and 5% to her company ESPP.We also began contributing $200/month to her H.S.A. account for our baby’s birth in May.
What Didn’t Work We contributed $1,223.05 to our retirement accounts and saw them decrease $772.93 to a total of $108,344.62.
Next Month February should be a very good month, as my wife is expected to receive a large bonus.
In December, our net worth increased $4,000.17, to a total of $245,457.24 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked In December, we contributed $818.88 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $2,571.54to a total of $109,117.55.We also contributed $275 to our son’s 529 Plan thanks to gifts for family.
What Didn’t Work –
Next Month January begins a new year with new goals.Stay tuned!
In November, our net worth increased $2,098.03, to a total of $241,457.07 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked
In November, we contributed $818.88 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $1,018.43 to a total of $106,546.01.We also contributed $150 to our son’s 529 Plan.
What Didn’t Work –
Next Month December should be another good month and strong close to 2013.
Our net worth in October increased nicely again.In October, our net worth increased $5,439.56, to a total of $239,359.04 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked
In October, we contributed $1,228.32 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $4,545.84 to a total of $105,527.58.While we don’t track current market value of our home in the spreadsheet (we use the purchase price), comps in our area are selling for $100K+ more than our purchase price.
Our net worth in September showed good improvement.In September, our net worth increased $6,882.47, to a total of $233,919.48 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked September was such a blessing.We found out that my wife is 4 weeks pregnant!We are so happy to be having a second child.We also passed the retirement savings milestone of $100,000 in total retirement assets!September was my wife’s first full month at her new job, which she loves.In September, we contributed $1,062.76 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $5,802.02 to a total of $100,981.74. We also tucked away a little more into our son’s 401(k).
What Didn’t Work – Next Month October should be another good month.I receive a 3rd “extra” check and no major expenses are planned.
We were doing well in August until the end of the month, then the wheels came off the cart.In August, we saw our net worth decrease a $1,390.52, to a total of $227,037.01 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked My wife began a new job this month making $97K annual salary plus an opportunity to earn $35K+ in bonus each year.The company gives her $600/month auto allowance, a gas card, $100/month for home office, and 20K shares of stock each year.This is a huge blessing to our family.
What Didn’t Work Sadly, all of our numbers fell this month.
Next Month September will be my wife’s first full month with her new company.Her large income should really help us towards our goals.
After a down month last month, in July we saw our net worth increase a whopping $6,412.78, to a total of $228,427.53 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked My wife received an $891.92 employer match to her 401(k).We contributed a total of $1,201.96 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $5,951.17 to $97,009.73 total.We refinanced our auto loan from a 6.5% to 2.29% loan.
What Didn’t Work We continue to dip into our savings account.
Next Month My wife may be starting a new job at the end of next month.Stay tuned.
In June, our net worth decreased $2,582.98 from last month, to a total of $222,014.75 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked
We refinanced our auto loan from 6.5% to 2.29%.This will save us ~$1,000 over the four year term.
What Didn’t Work We contributed a total of $1,201.96 to our retirement accounts and saw them decrease $2,146.63 to $91,058.56 total.We also pulled ~$1,000 out of savings.
We saw a good increase to our net worth in May.Our net worth increased $4,037.71 from last month, to a total of $224,597.73 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked
One benefit of my wife returning to work at her old company is that the benefits begin day one, including her 401(k) plan.They match up to 6%, but we do not include that amount until it is vested.So, we contributed a total of $1,707.17 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase a healthy $3,147.82 to $93,205.19 total.
What Didn’t Work We had hoped to refi our home mortgage to a lower rate this month (currently 3.75%), but it didn’t happen and rates are creeping up.
Next Month In June, we have ~$450 in auto insurance due (2 cars / 6 months) and will have guests at our house for part of the month.
Our net worth dropped for the first time since over 1 year ago (February 2012).Our net worth decreased $649.10 from last month, to a total of $220,560.02 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked We contributed a total of $818.88 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $2,163.26 to $90,057.37 total.My wife quit her new job after being stolen back by her old company for the same salary ($83,000).What made her go back was confidence in selling the product (she made $28K in bonuses last year), a 410K with 6% company match, and an opportunity to further her career by selling another product.
What Didn’t Work We took a good chuck of money out of savings to pay for a new fence and some bills.
Next Month May should be a good month for us to get caught back up.My wife and I both receive 3 paychecks in May.
Our path to financial independence and retiring early.
