June 2011 Net Worth Update (+$4,791.04)

We were blessed with another net worth increase this month. Our net worth increased $4,791.04 from last month, to a total of $146,839.18 (click on spreadsheet below).

What Worked
We received a huge windfall in the form of a $4,470 class action settlement from my wife’s old company (that she worked at for ~6 weeks). She was automatically included in the settlement, and frankly, we weren’t expecting much to come of it. Imagine our surprise when a check for $4,470 showed up. This helped us dramatically increase our savings account balance. One step closer to having a home downpayment.

What Didn’t Work
We contributed $1,419.50 to our retirement accounts in June and saw them decrease $970.28 to $93,859.46. Not a big deal.

Next Month
My Wife receives a third “extra” check in July, but we also have a few large bills including $233 for 6 months of life insurance premiums (Husband & Wife), $400 for a 50% prepayment to our doula, and a $327 traffic ticket. God willing, we hope to hit a net worth milestone of $150K in July.

May 2011 Income Statement

May was a very good income month and an relatively low expense month (click on spreadsheet below).

This was my wife’s first full month at her new job. She takes home $2,142.21 (net) each bi-weekly check. That’s a total of $444.84 per check more than her previous company! In addition to our salaries, my wife received a $45 reimbursement from her company for internet. We earned $20 in credit card rewards, received a $100 gift from my parents, and sold an old GPS for $40. We also earned $19.34 in interest income from our savings.

Our expenses were pretty reasonable, at a total of $5,708.25. We have worked hard to spend less and save more and were very successful in May. It helped that both my wife and I were traveling on business part of the month. Some of the larger expenses in May were: $223.80 for cobra insurance, $285.49 in clothing, and $424.01 for a little vacation.

I wish I could say we will carry over our low expense level into June, however, we have some large bills due. We have to pay $1,464.90 for auto insurance (Cars 2 & 3), $376.82 in rental insurance, and $447.59 in Cobra insurance. Thankfully, I will be receiving a third “extra” check for $1,781.07 in June.

May 2011 Net Worth Update (+$3,263.10)

Since passing our 2011 net worth goal of $138,100 last month, any further increase helps with our 2012 net worth goal of $173,200. In May, our net worth increased $3,263.10 from last month, to a total of $142,048.14 (click on spreadsheet below).

What Worked
Passing our 2011 net worth goal so early in the year is a major blessing. We contributed $1,063.00 to our retirement accounts in May and saw them increase $340.00 to $94,829.74. Remarkably, our traditional IRA balance did not change from the month prior. We were also able to sock away a nice chuck of change into savings.

What Didn’t Work
All accounts moved the right direction this month:)

Next Month
I’m hoping the good progress will continue next month. I receive a third “extra” check in June, which also includes an extra 401(K) contribution. However, we also have a few large insurance bills due in June for a total of $2,289.31.