I know it is cliche but, wow, writing 2026 is weird. I missed December’s update, but it is what it is, I was dealing with just headache after headache, and I had no interest.
Thoughts before updating: I am going to be up over the last 60 days of the year, but more importantly, despite 2025 being a shitshow, financially speaking, I should still have a positive gain year over year.
Calculating my Net Worth
My Family’s Assets
While I have several asset categories, I don’t think they are particularly complicated.
Cash
Cash Equivalents –While I am currently underfunded on my emergency fund, I am really hoping to change that a bit this year.
Real Estate Holdings
Main Residence – Exactly what it sounds like! My Family’s home.
Rental Property – Every month, I update a spreadsheet I keep for the minority owners of my rental property. I had some hiccups (i.e. costs and headaches) towards the end of the year, and this is going to cost me a few dollars this year since I am going to put in a new water heater and likely some flooring after she had a flood.
Retirement Accounts
My 401(k) – Going to stop complaining and it is what it is with the fees on the funds. I am hoping to do one rebalance this month and maybe check it out once a quarter for rebalancing in 2026.
My Traditional IRA – Need to review it this month for any changes. I didn’t make any major moves in 2025, and probably won’t this year as well.
The Wife’s Roth IRA – Same as above.
The Wife’s SEP IRA – Sme as above.
Non-Qualified Accounts
My Trading Account – This one account houses both where I invest in my dividend growth companies and risky speculative option trades. I am going to update how I handle trading profits this month.
Alternative Investments
Crypto Currency – This account was basically started for FOMO purposes. It is a shitty reason, but it is mine nonetheless. I don’t pay much attention to the crypto market and will probably continue to ignore the account.
Life Insurance Cash Surrender Value – I own a number of permanent, cash value whole life insurance policies. Since the cash is accessible, I include it in my net worth statement. In 2026 I plan on obtaining a bit more permanent insurance for purposes of adding a Long Term Care Rider.
Physical Gold – A few years back I decided to start buying physical gold, I am hoping one day to be that crazy guy with a stack of gold I can swim through, but I haven’t bought some in so long. A few months ago I wrote that I wanted to get back into it. I have started a monthly purchase plan with Acre Gold. Given the historic price of gold, and the amount I actually allocated to the site every month, this will take a while before I get my first shipment! The amount of crap I have been dealing with Acre is crazy! I would not recommend the company, and once it is complete, I will be writing up a post.
Currently, I do not include my investment club in my net worth.
My Family’s Debt
Last year, I organized my debt into tiers.
- Tier 1 is consumer debt.
- Tier 2 is longer term debt that I’d like to be paid off but if it takes a while I simply don’t care ( solar loan, whole life loan, etc).
- Tier 3 debt is mortgage debt. I can’t imagine attacking this without a very good reason.
I haven’t updated the spreadsheet in quite some time – but will need to this month.
My Net Worth Change
- Month over Month – Can’t calculate since I missed December
- Year to Date – In 2025 my family’s net worth increased about 15%
Not a bad year! I am hoping 2026 is even better!