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).

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.

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.

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.

Another good net worth increase month considering my wife is unemployed.  Our net worth increased $1,529.02 from last month, to a total of $221,209.12 (click on spreadsheet below).

We contributed a total of $818.88 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $2,403.48 to $87,894.11 total.  Thanks to using Upromise.com to book my business travel, we’re slowly increasing my son’s college savings.  In late breaking news, my wife has just accepted a new job paying $83,000 a year with great benefits, such as a company car.

What Didn’t Work
We had to pay $226 in Federal income taxes and $1,121 in State income taxes.  As a result, we had to dip into savings a bit.

Next Month
My wife begins a new job April 8th!!!  We have a number of bills coming due in April, so it will be a tight month. 

We’re blessed that forward progress continues, even with my wife unemployed.  Our net worth increased $1,730.39 from last month, to a total of $219,680.10 (click on spreadsheet below).

What Worked
We contributed a total of $818.88 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $2,854.42 to $85,490.63 total.  That large increase was primarily due to an unexpected $2,061.48 distribution to wife’s Traditional IRA from old 401(k) plan.  We also continue to pay our car payment as early as possible so that more is applied to principle.

What Didn’t Work
N/A

Next Month
My wife has been interviewing a lot, so we may see a new job on the horizon.

We had a good start to the year, especially considering that my wife is currently unemployed.  Our net worth increased $5,730.49 from last month, to a total of $217,949.71 (click on spreadsheet below).

My 2.25% raise went into effect this month, unfortunately, it was absorbed by the increase in social security tax.  We contributed a total of $1,218.88 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $4,643.05 to $82,636.21 total. 

Our net worth increased $4,299.05 from last month, to a total of $212,219.22 (click on spreadsheet below).  This puts us at 122.53% of our 2012 net worth goal of $173,200.  Our best year end finish yet.

What Worked
I received a 2.25% raise at the end of December that goes into effect in January.  We contributed a total of $1,369.81 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $3,440.23 to $77,993.16 total.  We also contributed $250 to our son’s 529 Plan this month.

What Didn’t Work
As I mentioned before, my wife was laid off and is now officially unemployed. 

Next Month
Next month should be relatively normal except for my wife being unemployed.

Our net worth increased an amazing $18,666.21 from last month, to a total of $207,920.17 (click on spreadsheet below).  This puts us at 120.05% of our 2012 net worth goal of $173,200.

Sadly, my wife was laid off this month, but not before contributing to our net worth in a big way.  She earned a quarterly bonus of $11,350.00 gross ($8,182.69 net).  We tithed 10%, put $6,500 into savings, and are keeping the balance in our checking account.  In addition to the bonus, her company automatically 100% vested her in her 401(k) match and profit sharing.  We didn’t expect to see any of this ~$6,000 because she was only with the company for 1-1/2 years.  This blessing increased our total retirement accounts balance ~10%!  We contributed a total of $3,021.83 to our retirement accounts and saw them increase $9,321.16 to $74,552.93 total.  We also contributed $1,500 to our son’s 529 Plan this month.  Busy month!

We barely squeaked by with an increase to our net worth this month, but we’ll happily take it.  Our net worth increased $992.69 from last month, to a total of $189,253.96 (click on spreadsheet below).  This puts us at 109.27% of our 2012 net worth goal of $173,200.

We continue to pay our auto loan a week or two early so that more of our payment goes to principle ($264 principle reduction this month instead of ~$200).

In September, our net worth increased $5,243.86 from last month, to a total of $188,261.27(click on spreadsheet below).  This puts us at 108.70% of our 2012 net worth goal of $173,200, which means we’re starting to make pretty good headway towards our 2013 net worth goal of $211,000.
What Worked
We contributed a total of $1,445.04 to our retirement accounts, and saw them increase $3,449.87 to $64,262.92 total.  We contributed $275 to our son’s 529 Plan thanks to birthday gifts from family.
What Didn’t Work
Our excessive spending continues to keep us from putting more money away.  As a result, our credit card bill each month has been much higher than usual.  We pay the card in full each month in order to avoid interest charges, but had to pull some money out of savings last month to make it happen.
Next Month
We hope to get caught up a little in October.  I received a third “extra” check that will help cover our large credit card bill without pulling much money out of savings.

In August, our net worth skyrocketed $11,797.62 from last month, to a total of $183,017.41 (click on spreadsheet below).

What Worked