Almost a full four months since my last net worth analysis, a lot has happened:
- I left my job;
- I attempted to start blogging, stopped, and am trying to start again;
- I entered a funk…and haven’t got out; and,
- I lost a finger.
Okay, I made the last one up…or did I. Didn’t someone find a finger in chili some place? 
But seriously, it’s been a rough ride in recent months. There have been some positives to come out of it all, despite the funk I’ve been in.
- My net worth hasn’t gone down, surprisingly;
- I’ve had a chance to re-exam my life; and,
- I’m still alive!
I am really surprised by my recent financial analysis, because I was expecting flat to negative. I’ve recently paid out more than what seems to be coming in, specifically:
- Approximately $3,200 in federal and state taxes;
- Car insurance renewal $550; and,
- Doggie fees, approx. $1000;
So why the increase? It has to do with recent stock market performance, interest earnings, decreased entertainment expenses (aka “freedumb’s super thrifty mode”), and a couple bumps from my ex-employer (last minute stock options exercised and a bonus check).
I still have a lot in cash…granted a large % of my net worth has not been getting max returns, I’m not about to throw my cash into the stock market at it’s peak. I still have enough invested in stocks, directly or indirectly, to benefit from the recent bull market.
Taking a look at the increase of my net worth by month, it turns out to be an increase of about $3,712.00 per month. It’s too bad I didn’t analyze my worth in January, February, and March.
Super thrifty mode has got me making my purchases with cash a lot more than with my credit card…odd. I’ve found that spending cash has given me a lot more control over my expenses. Sure I still use my card where I get maximized point returns but everything else is CASH. I know immediately how much and quickly I’ve spent the cash since I last withdrew.
YES! Two posts in one month. I’m not saying anything about my return to blogging because obviously the last time I did that things didn’t work out very well at all. Woof woof.
D
April 26, 2007 at 7:42 am
Amazing growth – unbelievable that you are out of work. Jealous is an understatement.
How is paradise? How is Brownie (the shredder)? Why such huge doggie bills? Hope Brownie is not sick!
D
April 26, 2007 at 7:43 am
Oh I forgot……
I’m hiring at the laundry. An excellent, low stress minimum wage job.
hee-hee.
freedumb
April 26, 2007 at 8:13 am
Hi D, Not out of work, just doing 1 thing instead of 2. I might take you up on that laundry job!
udandi
April 26, 2007 at 9:47 am
welcome back to blogging (again), glad to see you are fairing well
Matt
April 26, 2007 at 4:19 pm
At the rate that you’re going at you could stay unemployed for while longer without any impact to your net worth!
freedumb
April 26, 2007 at 8:56 pm
Udandi,
Thank you…
Matt,
That’s true, but I would like to see more upward movement…sitting back and being satisfied will definitely not help me get motivated or help me grow financially.
Mike
May 3, 2007 at 10:26 am
I have a question. Why do you have so much in credit card debt, and also so much in cash? Thanks!
B_Bold
May 4, 2007 at 4:30 am
Cool Blog!
I think it’s really great that you are tracking your networth and have a worthy financial goal. I’m now in my mid-forties and started with 83 K in debt and $725.00 in a savings account when I was 31. I got laid off from my job at 32 and after looking for work for over 2 years and not being able to get hired, out of desperation I started my own business. Well, over the next 10 years, I built my personal networth to up over 3 million.
Along the way, I had lots of ups and downs, but absolutely could not have done it without the love and support of a great wife, wonderful friends, and my family.
My point is, my young padi-wan, don’t forget to focus on love, life, laughter, and great friends.
How did I make the moola? By saving, by counting, by tracking? Hardly. That’s what accountants are for. I made the money by looking for people who wanted help solving business problems. Every person has problems, help them solve their problems and the world will beat a path to your door.
Focus on being of service and helping people with their problems and your 2.5 will flow to you long before 2030.
Your blog is a wonderful first step.
Love, Life, Laughter. Always.
Ronald Orellana
July 20, 2007 at 9:15 pm
What would your net worth be if you died tomorrow? Stop worrying and enjoy life a little. You are better off than most people with full time jobs… Take care!