Despite the economic turmoil, I managed to end the month on a positive note - sorta. My September Net Worth is $160,454 - a $2,105 or 1.31% increase over August 2008.
The reason I say “sorta” is because August net worth was calculated around the 10th of the month, instead of the 1st, so it reflected lower numbers than usual - specifically in cash. On the other hand, September numbers were pulled on the 1st of the month, as usual, resulting in higher numbers to show a significant increase.
What can I say about retirement? *shrug* I expected worse. I didn’t read ANY newspapers or online articles at all yesterday so I have no idea what happened in the market since Tuesday. Although the loss is ($1,356) compared to last month, the real reduction is way larger from a dollars and cents perspective. I invest over $1,500 per month, so it feels like I put 28 benjamins in the shredder.
My non-retirement accounts are on a shorter term horizon so they aren’t invested as aggressively. Seeing an increase, albeit small, this month is validation of my investment decisions. It also doesn’t hurt that one of these accounts holds a piece of the Warren Buffet pie.
In property, I made a quarterly adjustment and reduced the value of my car based on kbb.com. I should probably adjust the other items, but I don’t have a source to accurately assess their values. Until I do, they will stay the same.
Liabilities consist of credit card balances only - always paid in full.
SEPTEMBER INCOME & EXPENSES
Net Income:$11,176
Total Expenses: $9,806
- Saved: $1,346
- Bills: $3,236
- Necessities: $803
- Non-necessities: $873
- Business: $3,548
Net Cash Flow: $1,370
Things Worth Noting:
My rental property is no longer a financial burden. With new tenants, I don’t have the extra expense of paying mortgage AND rent. They paid October’s rent in September and I’ve spoken to my old neighbor at least twice last month. No problems. So far so good.
The blog is still holding its own, even with a neglectful owner and irregular posts. Shame on me! But thanks to all of you who continue to visit when I’m slipping!
There’s nothing unusual in the expense category, but these were my highest non-bill expenditures:
- $157 on gifts
- $159 on entertainment
- $170 on gas
- $217 on dining out
- $290 on dry cleaning
On an unrelated note, I decided NOT to renew my expired CD so I moved it back into HSBC. I still have a $5k CD at 4.84% with the credit union, but I didn’t want to tie up the $7k again. Considering our current economy, I prefer to have most of my emergency fund easily accessible. With HSBC, I get the benefits of an online account (competitive interest rate) but the privileges of a brick and mortar (ATM card).
Vanguard is on my list of things to do. Yes, I still plan to invest and I will have my $3k by December. If Vanguard goes belly up before I have the cash, I’ll invest it somewhere else.
That is all.
