January was a massive personal finance month for my family. I was able to use a sizeable work bonus to kill off a lot of debt. It sort of bums me out that the liquidity from that event is all but gone, but I know it is the right move in the long run.

Thoughts before calculating: I am going to be up month over month. I think that while the broad market has been flat the paying off of my HELOC will still push me up.

Calculating my Net Worth

My Family’s Assets

While I have several asset categories, I don’t think they are particularly complicated.

  • Cash Equivalents – A few months ago I calculated how much cash I would like to have on hand, and I am woefully short of that. This is going to be a massive grind to get me to my desired number, but I am up for it!
  • My Trading Account – This one account is both where I invest in my dividend growth companies and risky speculative option trades.  Recently, decided how I am going to handle the account in 2024, I will update how I did in January during my goals and objectives post, but it has been going great!
  • My 401(k) – My 401(k) has some terrible investment options that have ridiculous fees, but I get a match so I have to participate. I wrote last month, “I just got a raise so I’ll have to make sure after my first paycheck that I am taking advantage of the full match” and I completely forgot to do it! By the end of the month I have to get on this!
  • My Traditional IRA – Just some companies that have caught my attention at some point or another. I think in Q1 I’d like to take a more intentional approach to this account
  • The Wife’s Roth IRA – Again, some companies that have caught my attention at some point or another. I think in Q1 I’d like to take a more intentional approach to this account
  • The Wife’s SEP IRA – The Wife was talking to my father in law a few years back who told her that she should have a SEP IRA, and since she is funding it with business proceeds, I was not going to argue. We were contributing $100/week to the account, but that has stopped since her business is really on the decline. It is my hope that some time this year she can start it back up again.
  • Crypto Currency – This account was basically started for FOMO purposes. It is a shitty reason, but it is mine nonetheless. Looks like I am back to about even with the account, but I stopped the automatic deposits and plan on largely ignoring it for now.
  • Life Insurance Cash Surrender Value – As described 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. This money is also accessible via a loan against the cash value. I have plenty of posts about paying it back and then pulling it back out and then paying it back. I am not sure if I’ll get to it in 2024, but this is fourth on my list to start paying down (after HELOC, 0% CCs and Student Loan).
  • 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. I’d like to pick up my small purchases this year.
  • My Rental Property – Every month I update a spreadsheet I keep for the minority owners of my rental property. FUCK YOU HELOC, you are dead to me right now.
  • My Main Residence – My Family’s home.

Currently, I do not include my investment club in my net worth.

My Family’s Debt

  • Law School Debt – Refinanced this to 2.6%, a year or so ago. I am aggressively paying this down (9% in January) so I can clear out some more cash flow.
  • Mortgage and Home Debt – I have a mortgage on each home and a home equity line of credit on the rental property.
  • Consumer Credit Card Debt – I keep going from zero to a shit ton and it is killing me. I am hoping to get rid of most of it, if not all of it in 2024 and get it entirely under control. Fuck you, it is all gone! Let’s see how long I can keep that up.

My Net Worth Change

  • Month over Month my family’s net worth increased by about 7.25%
  • Year to date, obviously at 7.25% also

For the first time in a few years, I am feeling great about simple personal finances. I received a sizeable raise at work that I am immediately putting to work rather than letting lifestyle inflation creep it’s ugly fucking head.

Net Worth

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