2025 was a strong year for growth. My overall net worth increased by 24.5% compared to 2024. This was driven by significant gains in 401(k) (+26.7%), Roth IRA (+21.7%), & home equity (+48.7%). Net Earnings Overview I consider Giving, Taxes, HSA Contributions, and 15% gross salary Retirement Contributions non-negotiable. Given this, I excluded these categories when reviewing my 2025 net…
2024 was a good year for savings. My overall net worth increased by 28.2% compared to 2023. This was driven by increases in 401(k) (+26.0%), Roth IRA (+12.8%), money markets & cash (+43.9%), & home equity (+36.3%). Net Earnings Overview I consider Giving, Taxes, HSA Contributions, and 15% gross salary Retirement Contributions non-negotiable. Given this, I excluded these categories when reviewing…
In 2023, the most significant shift in my financial landscape was the acquisition of a new vehicle, a decision that significantly impacted my savings. Ongoing supply chain disruptions from the pandemic had tightened vehicle inventory and inflated prices. The price gap between the used model and the new model I desired was minimal, leading me…
The best financial move I made in 2022 was transitioning to a much higher paying job at another company. This fueled a savings rate of 48% (not including retirement contributions). However, the Fed’s 2022 interest rake hikes to fight inflation did not bode well for my net worth on paper. My net worth decreased vs.…
During Year 2 of COVID, I was fortunate enough to expand my focus on multiple streams of income. This fueled a savings rate of 17% (not including retirement contributions), and helped increase my net worth +28% in 2021 compared to 2020. Net Earnings Overview I consider Giving, Taxes, HSA Contributions, and 15% gross salary Retirement…
Healthcare is expensive. In The Lifetime Medical Spending of Retirees report, economists noted that households incur an average cost of $122,000 in medical costs between the age of 70 and death. Most of this money is paid out of pocket, with the exception of low-income folks covered by Medicaid. One way to plan for expensive…
“How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy by investing in savings accounts? I rest my case.” – Robert G. Allen. While financial gurus like Chris Hogan, Dave Ramsey, & others agree that nobody gets rich by redeeming credit card points, the same is true of interest earned on from savings accounts. That…