April Financial Review
May 1st marked the beginning of many new things in my life and I look forward to what the future has in store. But for now, I’ll reflect on April for a bit. Sorry it’s late…
APRIL BUDGET
- Saving/Investing: Due to advances from my new employer, ~$8,700 more than budgeted was set aside this month. Depending on what happens with my house, the extra cash may or may not have a permanent home.
- Cash Flow: My total cash inflow was $14,138 (looks like a lot but this is a prime example of “it’s not what you make but what you do with it”). On the flip side, including extra savings, my total cash outflow was $14,392. Ouch! I spent $254 more than I earned. General problem areas:
- Had to send an extra $60 to the credit union or the balance for my car payment withdrawal would have been short. Not sure how that happened. Mental note to self: audit credit union account this weekend.
- March cable and home phone/DSL bills were scheduled/paid on time but not deducted until April. Also, the April water bill was deducted twice. Mental note to self: call BofA about “online bill pay” inconsistencies.
- Spent $56 over budget on gas for two friggin days of DC commuting.
- Spent $488 over budget on medical expenses: annual visits with deductibles and copays, prescriptions, and balances insurance wouldn’t cover. Some wasn’t planned for but all very necessary.
- Spent $1,197 on un-budgeted moving expenses: all miscellaneous expenses associated with preparing for the move, tips and preparing my house for sale/rent have been temporarily labeled as “moving expenses.”
- Spent $147 over budget on eating out. When added to the actual budgeted amount, I should be ashamed…but I’m not. Who has time to cook? LOL
- Spent $75 over budget on hair/mani. In between bi-weekly visit to prep for first day on new job. Totally worth it!
- Spent $396 over budget on gifts/donations. I’m blessed so giving away money is never a bad thing. Mental note to self: in next blog post, share random acts of kindness “received” from complete strangers.
APRIL NET WORTH
I double and triple checked the numbers because I couldn’t believe it. I finally exceeded $100,000!! Yay!! *wonder how long it’ll last lol*
As usual, when my personal life is out of whack, my finances always seem to maintain an ounce of stability. For the most part, April was a good financial month (on paper), but future expenses may bring me back to reality. *praying* Lord, please help me sell this house or find a “good” tenant. Please!
Net worth increased +$11,526 or 12.29%, which can be attributed to the following:
1 – Advances from new employer
2 – Regular investment contributions
3 – Investment gains
4 – Regular saving contributions
5 – Blogging revenue
Total net worth is now $111,203 or 89% of my 2007 goal.
Peace & Blessings
~*~*~*~*~*~
Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And as always, BE FABULOUS!
~SM
This blog is a personal account of my journey to achieve financial freedom. If you like what you've read, feel free to subscribe via (feed reader) or (email) to follow along.
Congratulations on cracking that $100K!
Woo Hoo!
$100K was a big milestone for me too (I think it is for all investors). That’s when I also started to really notice the impact of compounding. That big ol’ snowball picking up speed rolling down that hill.
What’s the next one? $250k?
Work it out Single Ma!
The first $100k is always the hardest and now you have championed over it! Good for you.
HERCULES.. HERCULES.. she did it.. single ma did it.. *doin that silly dance.. you know which one*
congratulations!!! definitely a reason to be thankful, excited and happy for!
I have no doubt you will maintain it.. with EASE
Congrats on reaching your $100,000 goal! I wanna be like you when I grow up!
Congratulations! That is amazing that it snuck right in there when you weren’t looking.
Congrats on reaching the 100K milestone Single Ma
“Now I got black cards / Good credit and such / Baby boy / Now I’m all grown up”
-Jay Z
You go girl !!!
Congratulations!
I’m really impressed! Mainly because my whole net worth is in the equity of my house and retirement accounts. So while there’s over 300k – I don’t see it. I’m working on having some much more fluid investments but I’m just way short today. Honestly, thats one of the main reasons I read your blog – to keep my goals in the “front” of my mind.
BTW, if you decide to do the rent to own, can you tell us about it?
i love it! $100K is amazing! :)
That’s a great milestone to achieve. Congrats to you.
Like cyn94601, my NW is pretty healthy but the majority is wrapped up in my house and investments so I don’t have a large amount I can lay my hands on today. I’m slowly working on that though.
I’ve heard so much about you, but I’m just making it here. . . and I’m kicking myself in the pants. I will definitely try to stop by more often. I can definitely learn something by reading.
Congrats, Single Ma!
I usually read rather than write But gotta say this:
I’ve seen so many wonderful things come together for you over these few months it’s amazing and I’ve very happy for YOU! :-)
Tammy
You’ve been “tagged” !
Maybe you can help me get things in order financially. I’m not big on budgets. I watch my spending though. I save by setting up automatic investments.