In January of 2011 I started tracking my net worth, but I wasn’t comfortable putting the number out there, so I came up with a system where I calculated my net worth and made that number a zero. This way I can share my gains and loses. Thankfully since January I have only had gains in my family’s Net Worth.
The assets I include are:
- My Cash Savings Accounts
- My 401(k)
- The Wife’s Roth IRA
- My Small but Awesome Dividend Investment Portfolio
- Value of my House
- My Traditional IRA
The liabilities I include are:
- Law School Loans
- Mortgage
What is missing?
- Car loan – Paid that off last month
- Credit Card debt – Don’t have any except a revolving AMEX account so no reason to put it up
- Checking Accounts – Always changing and moving kept low on purpose so no reason to track it
- Cars – I have no idea why people count cars as an asset. Its transportation not an asset.
- Jewelry – I joke that The Wife’s hand is worth more than my car…but there is NO way anything is being pawned/sold so why list it as an asset?
My Net worth Update
- From July 1, 2011 to August 1, 2011 my net worth has increased 3.38%
- From January 18, 2011 to August 1,2011 my net worth has increased 46.84%
I am not upset by the number, but this is my lowest month to month gain since I started tracking. I think the reason has to do with market forces since I put my standard amount into my 401(k) but the balance actually decreased. While this excites me in the long run, in the short run it is pretty frustrating. Further, I am positive that that as my actual net worth increases, it will become near impossible to gain 3% month in month out….but for now I’ll take it!
How was your month? Do you have an update?
My First Post Almost 3 Years Ago
I started this blog almost 3 years ago (August 5, 2008 to be exact). In that post, I wanted to put it all on the line, and I will tell you writing/reading that post still annoys me:
- Approximately $16,800 in Credit Card Debt!
- Approximately $250,000 in Secured Debt (House Mortgage and my car – wife leases)
- $60,000 – $70,000 Law School Loans
It took me almost 1 one year to pay off all that credit card debt and another 18 months after that to pay off my car. I would never say that I wasn’t financially “happy” but it feels good when debt repayment isn’t your primary goal!
At this point, if I can average 1-2% a month, I’m doing great. But with the stock market performance the past few weeks, I’m really not looking forward to doing my net worth report for August. I know it’ll be down by at least a couple-three percent. Ugh.
It took me 1 week to respond to comments, and looking at the market today (Aug 8, 2011 down 600+ Points) if I had to guess Aug will be my first negative month!
I like your idea of showing your net worth in percentages rather than the numbers.
You had a pretty good month and pretty great half year so far. Congrats!
If you like my idea…then do it! Make it yours and show the world how much better you are doing month to month.
Do you do this with your debt? I’d love to see a post – put the link here.
Congrats on paying off your car loan! Must feel amazing!
It is nice….but only makes me hungrier for the next debt to kill or next account to fund
It’s incredible that you increase the net worth 47% since the beginning of the year. Our net worth was pretty stable this month.
I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that the networth wasn’t huge before and I have really been working hard at saving CASH this year.
Wow! Congrats on paying off your car loan. I did that a few months ago and I know what a relief it feels to get that off your back. And congrats on your major increase in your net worth — that’s awesome!
Best thing about paying off the debt is freeing up the couple grand it cost to service the loan each year. It is like I got a raise
very true in that the bigger the gross numbers get, the smaller the percentage will become . . . contrary to conventional thought that large drives larger. i supposed that would hold true if we were talking liquid cash put to work, but in terms of net worth i agree with the challenges you have foreshadowed.
I look forward to going from $1,000,000 to $1,010,000 for my 1% gain per month lol
That is wonderful progress. Congratulations! I love these comments about your net worth:
Cars – I have no idea why people count cars as an asset. Its transportation not an asset.
Jewelry – I joke that The Wife’s hand is worth more than my car…but there is NO way anything is being pawned/sold so why list it as an asset?
I completely agree with your rationale.
I am sure your husband would too LOL
Actually, I have a hand that’s pretty similar to your wife’s. And nothing is getting sold here, either. LOL
I really like the idea of showing your net worth in percentages. I have been wanting to track my net worth online but, like you, didn’t want to put the real numbers out there (I don’t care about strangers, but people I know read my blog and it is none of their business). Mind if I steal your idea? 🙂
Steal it! Live it! Love it! Maybe some recognition would be great. Let me know if you need help with the spreadsheet.
That’s great progress. Just continue to grow your wealth slow and steady and you’ll reach all of your goals before you know it.
Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement
Good work on keeping the gains up, next month will be tough though…
Ugh with the market taking a beating the past week I am sure August will be my first negative month.
Looks like I can comment again…woo hoo!
Hey Evan,
It’s been a while, but it’s obvious you are still hitting it hard. I love the openness that you give regularly.
Just wondering as far as long term.
Is there a number or percentage (of current income) that you have in mind as far as reaching retirement in comfort?
Just wondering what you’re basing the numbers on?
Thanks much.
Currently, I have no real intention of following early retirement extremes, so I have never really thought about an end goal of $X in my IRA/401(k). My goal is to accumulate assets and pay down liabilities as fast as I can while living a relatively normal life. This may have to do with my age, I am only 29 years old.
Notwithstanding, I do have a cash goal in mind. Right now it is to accumulate enough for a substantial down payment on a new home. The houses I am looking at are 400K to 500K (which doesn’t buy a whole heck of a lot where I live).
How are you able to realize almost 50% growth? Is most of this coming from income, dividends, etc? I’m sure not having car or credit card payments help.
Mike,
You inspired a post, thank you:
http://myjourneytomillions.com/articles/how-have-i-increased-my-net-worth-50-year/