Net Worth

December 2012 Net Worth Update (+4,299.05)

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.

Goals

Pass our 2014 Net Worth Goal – 1 Year Early

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We passed our 2013 net worth goal of $173,200 back in August, which was great news in and of itself.  I’m happy to report today that we passed our 2014 net worth goal of goal of $211,000. 

Our net worth is currently $211,414.01, so we are one year ahead of our plan.  Below is a list of our goals and our progress thus far (click on spreadsheet).

Income Statement

November 2012 Income Statement

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November was a wild ride.  Our income was near record breaking (for us), our expenses reasonable by comparison, and my wife’s company laid off the entire national sales force (click on spreadsheet below). 

Our total income for November was $19,454.47, our 2nd largest income month since we began tracking in 2007.  My wife received a third “extra” paycheck this month, an awesome quarterly bonus of $11,150 gross ($8,182.69 net), and was paid out 33.25 hours PTO $1,154.55.   In addition, my wife received a $61.99 in company reimbursements.  We also received $75.00 in credit card cash back rewards, $18.40 in a BofA judgment, and we earned $3.37 in interest income from our online savings account. 

In November, we spent a total of $11,506.85 ($2K of which was tithe).  Some of the larger non-standard expenses were: $1,028.48 for a generator and $309.69 for a laptop.

Next month (December) will be little unpredictable.  My wife receives her final paycheck that includes: 1 week pay and 1 week severance with the possibility of an additional 6 days severance and $500 (based on the return of the company car and company property).
 
Net Worth

November 2012 Net Worth Update (+18,666.21)

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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.

What Worked

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!

What Didn’t Work
My wife’s company laid off the entire sales force, so we focused on putting money into savings. 

Next Month
Next month is a big question mark.  My wife will be officially unemployed after she receives her last paycheck on 12/14.
Income Statement

October 2012 Income Statement

October was a very good income month and a slightly high expense month (click on spreadsheet below). 

Our total income for October was $8,065.98. I received a third “extra” paycheck this month.   In addition to our regular paychecks, my wife received a $25 company reimbursement.  We also received $58.08 in credit card cash back rewards and we earned $2.14 in interest income from our online savings account. 

Our spending continues to be higher than plans – we’re not within our budget of ~$6,600.   In October, we spent a total of $9,326.18.  Some of the larger non-standard expenses were: $475.70 for two new car seats, $200.78 for brakes, and $119.57 for a baby monitor.

Next month (November) should be another very good income month because my wife receives a third “extra” paycheck and what may be a large quarterly bonus. 
Net Worth

October 2012 Net Worth Update (+992.69)

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.

What Worked

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).

What Didn’t Work
We passed the net worth milestone of $190,000 earlier this month only to see the market retract and drop us down below it again.  We contributed a total of $1,854.48 to our retirement accounts but only saw them increase $968.85 to $65,231.77 total. 

Next Month
Next month my wife receives a third “extra” paycheck and may earn ~$8K gross quarterly bonus. We plan to put a large portion into savings and also contribute ~$1,500 to our son’s 529 Plan.
Goals

Net Worth Milestone – $190,000

Today we passed the $190,000 net worth milestone! Our net worth is currently $190,625.95.

We passed our last milestone of $180K in August. Based on my forecasts, we should hit the next net worth milestone of $200K by December.

I will update our net worth meter (on the left side of the screen) at the end of the month.

Income Statement

September 2012 Income Statement

September was a normal income month and a high expense (click on spreadsheet below). 

Our total income for September was $8,065.98.  In addition to our regular paychecks, my wife received a $25 company reimbursement.  We also received $50.00 in credit card cash back rewards, $275.00 in gifts to our sons 529 Plan, and we earned $3.64 in interest income from our online savings account. 

In September, we spent a total of $8,362.84, higher than we should have spent, but less than we’ve spent almost every month this year.  Some of the random large expenses were: $345.77 went to repainting the inside of our home, $489.08 in pool supplies, $432.35 SDG&E, and a few hundred towards our son’s 1st birthday party.

Next month (October) should be a very good income month because I receive a third “extra” paycheck.  Hopefully we can tighten our belts and spend less…

Our path to financial independence and retiring early.