Category Archives: Net Worth

Net Worth

September 2012 Net Worth Update (+5,243.86)

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.

Net Worth

August 2012 Net Worth Update (+11,797.62)

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

The largest impact this month, and likely this year was a huge quarterly bonus that my wife earned. She bonus this quarter was $13,750 gross ($9,839.22 net). Obviously, this has a major impact on our finances. We paid off our 0% credit card balance ($5,236.35), tithed 10% ($1,375), and got a few things done around the house. We contributed a total of $2,820.04 to our retirement accounts, and saw them increase $5,143.40 to $60,813.08 total. All of this goodness resulted in us passing the net worth milestone of $180,000 in August.

What Didn’t Work
N/A, we were blessed with an amazing month.

Next Month
September should be a standard month in terms of our net worth increase. However, it’s a milestone for our family as our son turns 1 year old!
Goals, Net Worth

Already Passed our 2012 Net Worth Goal!

Today we passed our 2012 net worth goal of $173,200. That puts us 4 months ahead of schedule. Our current net worth is $174,101 and my wife expects to receive a large quarterly bonus next week, so our net worth should jump another $8,000 or so by the end of the month.  Our net worth meter (on left) will be updated at the end of the month.

Net Worth

July 2012 Net Worth Update (+3,518.70)

In July, our Net Worth increased $3,518.70 from last month, to a total of $171,219.79 (click on spreadsheet below).  
What Worked
We passed the net worth milestone of $170,000 in July!  We contributed a total of $2,245.04 to our retirement accounts, and saw them increase $3,285.04 to $55,669.68 total.  We paid $600 towards our 0% credit card debt. 
What Didn’t Work
Our cash & savings declined because we pulled $3,000 out for a down payment on a SUV.  The balance on the loan is $16,736.99.  My wife has a company provided car and my car is paid off, so this third vehicle is going to be used for “family” stuff, such as weekend trips to the beach, camping, vacation, etc. 
Next Month
August should be a huge income month because my wife earned a large bonus.  The money is slated for paying off our 0% credit card debt, contributing to our son’s 529 Plan, bolstering savings, and tithing.
Net Worth

June 2012 Net Worth Update (+4,342.33)

In June, our Net Worth increased $4,342.33, to a total of $167,701.09 (click on spreadsheet below).  This puts us at 96.83% of our 2012 Net Worth goal of $173,200 (see NW meter on left side of page).

What Worked

We paid $1,355 towards our 0% credit card debt.  As I mentioned before, our main short term financial goal is to get this card paid off by the end of the year (0% until April 2013).  

What Didn’t Work
We contributed a total of $1,741.95 our retirement accounts, but only saw them increase $1,623.34 to $52,384.64 total.  Not a big deal.

Next Month
We hope to pay down another good “chunk” of our 0% credit card debt next month.  My wife should also learn how large her Q3 bonus in August will be (she kicked butt this quarter).
Net Worth

May 2012 Net Worth Update (+1,636.22)

In May, our Net Worth increased $1,636.22 from last month, to a total of $163,358.76 (click on spreadsheet below). 

What Worked

We increased our savings account $1,550.47 to $5,140.41, thanks primarily to my wife earning a $2,325 gross ($1,937.89 net) quarterly bonus.  We also paid $1,250 off on our 0% credit card debt, which is now down to $7,191.35. I started a small vegetable garden in our backyard.  This is our first step toward growing some of our own food and hopefully saving money long-termJ.

What Didn’t Work
We contributed a total of $2,076.20 our retirement accounts, but saw them decrease $1,462.84 to $50,761.30 total.

Next Month
June may be another good month because my wife receives a third “extra” check.  This should allow us to pay another good chuck off of our 0% credit card debt.  Knocking down that credit card debt is our #1 financial goal right now.


Net Worth

April 2012 Net Worth Update (+2,363.13)

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In April, our Net Worth increased $2,363.13 from last month, to a total of $161,722.54 (click on spreadsheet below). 
What Worked
We had a great visit with my family when they came into town.  My father passed away two weeks after the visit, so it was very nice to see him one last time.  His passing is a reminder to me that saving for retirement is important, but so is enjoying your life along the way. 
What Didn’t Work
We contributed a total of $1,434.26 our retirement accounts, but only saw them increase $781.27 to $52,224.14 total.
Next Month
May will hopefully be an opportunity to pay down some of our 0% credit card debt since I receive a third “extra” check.  We have until April 2013 for the 0% interest offer, but want to get it paid off as soon as possible.



Net Worth

March 2012 Net Worth Update (+1,646.26)

You will notice a correction to our mortgage balance in February. I mistakenly applied our March payment to our February figures. Even with our excessive spending in March, our Net Worth increased $1,646.26 from last month, to a total of $159,359.41 (click on spreadsheet below).
What Worked
We contributed a total of $1,434.26 our retirement accounts, and saw them increase $2,558.50 to $51,505.87 total. Our first mortgage payment went through reducing our mortgage debt by $589.21. Baby steps…
What Didn’t Work
As expected, our zero percent interest card (0% for 15 months) balance rose $7,065.02 to $8,541.35. This is not as much as the $3,000 that I forecast, but going the wrong direction nevertheless. I wish I could say this was going to go away soon, but realistically, we are months from having it paid off.
Next Month
April will be a fun month because my family is coming into town. It will be nice for them to see our new baby again and to get to show them our new house. Financially, it might not be as exciting as we continue to try and dig our way out of our 0% credit card debt.
Net Worth

February 2012 Net Worth Update (-1,556.74)

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February was another month of heavy spending, resulting in a drop in our net worth of $1,556.74 from last month, to a total of $158,302.36 (click on spreadsheet below).

What Worked

We contributed a total of $1,434.26 our retirement accounts, and saw them increase $3,061.88 to $48,947.37 total. Our savings account also increased from $1,830.39 to $2,608.15. Our first mortgage payment went through reducing our mortgage debt by $589.21.

CORRECTION: Our first mortgage payment was for our March bill and should not have been included in our February numbers. I will correct the spreadsheet before posting our March Net Worth Update.

What Didn’t Work

In February, we did something we haven’t done in a LONG time: we went into credit card debt. We ended the month owing $7,065.02 to a zero percent interest card (0% for 15 months) to buy more furniture/house stuff. We have roughly $3,000 more in furniture/house stuff that we need to buy and then we’re done. I promise.

Next Month

March will get us one step closer to getting back on track, but we’ll still be spending more than saving.

Net Worth

January 2012 Net Worth Update (-4,962.60)

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Due to heavy, heavy spending in January, our net worth dropped $4,962.60 from last month, to a total of $159,859.10 (click on spreadsheet below).

What Worked
We have a another asset on our balance sheet – our new home! Moving is always exhausting, but we are finally getting settled in. Beyond the home, we contributed $220 to our son’s 529 Plan thanks to gifts from our parents and aunts. We contributed a total of $1,280.42 our retirement accounts, and saw them increase $3,940.79 to $45,885.49 total. My wife’s company contributed $1,256.63 in company match and profit sharing to her 401(k). I did not include them in the balance sheet because the vesting is 3 years and 6 years, respectively.

What Didn’t Work
Money flew out of our saving faster in January than any time before. Beyond the $97,800 down payment that we put on our new home, we also spent ~$15,000 on furniture and items for the house.

Next Month
It was fun splurging, but now we need to tone it back down. For the next couple of months, our expenses will continue to be higher than normal as we buy things for the house, but January was the BIG spending month.