With another month done it is time to see how I did.
Thoughts before calculating: This was an uneventful month, financially speaking. I did pay for our summer vacation in full, but other than that, no real insanity occurred, so I think we’ll be flat to positive.
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. Specifically, I am hoping to save a large part of my bonus into boring old cash. I really want to bump up this number to match what I consider a truly funded emergency fund.
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. February was the first month in a very, very long time when this was not a source of stress. I am excited for a few more stress-free months.
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. Completed! Early this year I rebalanced my 401k with the help of ChatGPT. My plan is to check this once a quarter.
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. I’ll handle this in February. Failed
The Wife’s Roth IRA – Same as above. Same Failure
The Wife’s SEP IRA – Sme as above. Same Failure
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. Failed. I’ll handle it in February. Same Failure
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! Finally I am done with Acre – and I would not recommend the company. I got my money back but it is a massive, massive rip off with fees built upon fees. This month I am going to have to go back to old school and just purchase it myself.
Currently, I do not include my investment club in my net worth.
My Family’s Debt
Currently I have a few credit cards with some balances but nothing too crazy. They should be all elminted when I receive my bonus this month. Then some longer term debt. After the CCs are done this month, I will reorganize my tiers of debt.
My Net Worth Change
- Month over Month – My family’s net worth increased about 1.3%
- Year to Date – I am up about 2.8%
Like I said – positive but nothing crazy. I’ll take 1-2% every month! I am hoping to get a bunch of smaller personal finance projects done in March.