Race from 10 to 100k!!

[SpareChange]

3 paycheck month :). Next month won't be as nice...about time to buy a new set of tires for the car, and I will probably buy a new road bike. Happy Halloween!

[givemesunshine]

Hi all,

I'm up $2750 this month. Next month I have some out of pocket medical expenses to cover so will probably go backwards (or hopefully just stay at this level). Can't be helped!

Good luck to all and keep it up!

[ohyonghao]

5 Paycheck month really makes my savings look good, plus this last week stocks stopped being on sale.

Sep: $65,263.85
Oct: $70,999.50

Increase: $5,735.65

Been really happily surprised about how fast this is going up now.  Compound interest is great.  Also I hit my first $10,000 in a single Vanguard Index fund and changed to Admiral Shares.  Looks like I may have been a little too pessimistic in the long term net worth thread.

Next month my Sister in Laws are paying us back (we live in different countries and often trade favors in each others currency until we have some other reason to transfer money, then balance the books, some things are just cheaper here).

Is it too late to join in???? I know i won't "Win" but it will be fun to track?

It's never too late to join, this is just the qualifying rounds for the $1 Million Net Worth thread :-P.

[engineerbell]

Would love to join this challenge as well.  does anyone know of a website that makes these challenges easy to track and share progress.  Kinda like www.fi.tt but for  money instead of fitness.

[Runge]

Glad to see more people joining, and I'm enjoying everyone's numbers keep going up!

Here's my update:
$15,784.94, up $1,250.84 from last month!

Awesome, especially since my employer switched from a bi-monthly pay cycle to every two weeks while also introducing a 2-week lag in pay. So my monthly budget has been effectively reduced and while this past month only had 1 full paycheck instead of two. So yay...but now I'm a part of the every other week crowd, so that's cool I guess. Do y'all have cookies?

[tyler1215]

Here's my update:
$14,585.04, up by $2,599.04

My huge bump is a bit misleading, I got reimbursed for a trip I took at the end of September.  I still need to file my expense reports for the month of October, so that's holding me back. 

Good news, I got my raise in October and went straight to HR to double my 401(k) contributions.
Bad news, I test drove a Porsche yesterday and I'm very tempted.  Wouldn't really affect my financial lifestyle if I did it though.

[Paulie]

I'm down $500 due to the market. But the next two months will be good months because of bonuses!

[seanc0x0]

Wanted to do this on the weekend, but my brokerage was down for maintenance all weekend.

Decent month. Up from ~$6680 to ~$7825, +17.19%. Nice not to fight the market, though I got about $28 of dividends, which helped counter the market instability.

[tarheeldan]

Steady progress :-) Up an average of $2,613.41 over the past five months. Finally got my IRA's transferred to Vanguard too! Can't wait to reach the halfway mark!

[kickel]

Figured I'd put my hand in. I'm starting with somewhat of a head start.

As of today my investment and cash accounts minus all liabilities are at $68,109 (64,109 invested, and 4,000 cash). My goal is to reach $75,000 by the end of the year, which with some good market returns and a few extra gigs could be plausible.

[trailrated]

I was super unmustachian and went to the Saturday World Series Game and lent my best friend $1,600 to fix his car. Next month I will be back on track

[Wiggle]

Debts: $0
Savings: $7,750
Retirement Accts: $31, 637

NW: $39, 387 (increase of $889)

End of October Update:
Cash/Savings: $2,633
Mutual Funds (non-retirement, house savings): $10,139
Work Retirement Accounts: $28,508

NW: $41,280 (increase of $1893)

[Hummer]

Where is this spreadsheet everyone is talking about? I can't find it.

[Pooperman]

Where is this spreadsheet everyone is talking about? I can't find it.

Page 1 Post 1.

[MWM1220]

I noticed rank is just "how close we are to 100k" which, I guess, is consistent with the idea! But I thought it'd be interesting to see, instead, improvement in net worth from the beginning, so I created a new sheet called "Growth." It's a rough start, and I suspect one of the worksheet wizards could do a lot to improve it, but if you like the idea, please jump in and make some improvements.

Or if you think this pollutes the whole contest irreparably, delete the sheet! :)

*Some might notice the odd coincidence that the creator of this new sheet is the best ranked. Totally... weird... coincidence ;)

GREAT IDEA! Love this. Thanks for doing!

[ohyonghao]

6/30/2014: -$6922
7/31/2014: $2291 (yay positive! - downgraded car, don't expect $9k every month!)
8/31/2014: $5896
9/30/2014: $11,201
Changing jobs, I got a vacation payout, and a shift in when I'm paid. I also logged my quarterly changes in investment returns/dividends. Despite some (paper) losses from a rocky stock market, good dividend returns and gains in some places. If only every month was so positive!

10/31/2014: $14,610
I actually deleted some old "escrow" account information from my tracking software, which decreased my "apparent" net worth several hundred dollars, but the numbers going forward will be correct. Just a minor "apparent" setback. Not a bad month. I moved some money from savings into stocks during the 5% dip, and was pleased to see the values climb from there! Excited for 2015. Next month I can start contributing to my 401k pre-tax, plus get 4% employer match!

That's pretty awesome!  I've been just dollar cost averaging with the same amount every month, watching the stocks go on sale two months in a row.  I'm also happy to see the values coming back up.

[Mazzinator]

Oct 2014

Savings $89,520
SL -$67,477

NW $22,043

Congrats on the baby!! I'm due in 4 weeks, with my third. I'm a sahm, my hubby is an army lawyer (JAG) and we live on Oahu.

Also, could someone please please please update my numbers every month??? Please :-) I have no clue how to update from my ipad. Thanks!!! And thanks to Runge for doing this last time!!!

Nov 2014

Debt 67,460
Savings 92,845

NW 25,385

This is as of the beginning of the month, when i normally calculate it. I'm just now getting around to posting it. I had my baby girl..yay!!!

Also, i actually got a windfall inheritance!! I still can't believe it..but it's true!!!

$20k, so next month is going to look awesome.. I'm going to change my race to $120k, because i feel like i'm cheating with a windfall..

[FoundPeace]

Just found this thread, so I updated the spreadsheet with my numbers. I actually started my own personal spreadsheet to track my net worth in June, but I was able to guesstimate for May. It was my spreadsheet that lead me to MMM in September. It didn't change very much for me, but it helped me see that my savings rate should allow me to FIRE one day (started my first engineering job in January). I like this challenge, because it seems so obtainable.

May: $19,822
October:  $28,781

This isn't sustainable for me because I am getting an extra $1,000 per month for Per Diem while traveling for work. Also, This isn't including my 401(k) or HSA yet. I need to get that tied into my software.

Sadly, I imagine most of this money is in cash right now and will hopefully be a down payment on a house next year. Is anyone including equity or their mortgage in their net worth?

[Runge]

Uh oh...

I may have broken the spreadsheet... I'll see if I can get it fixed.

[Runge]

Ok, I think it's working now. Phew...

[FoundPeace]

Sorry, I was trying to add the current NW column and make it self-updating. I got a little carried away and tried to make it too complicated for my skill level. Thanks for making it happen.

[Runge]

Sorry, I was trying to add the current NW column and make it self-updating. I got a little carried away and tried to make it too complicated for my skill level. Thanks for making it happen.

No worries at all! I don't think it was you though, haha. I tried to add the ArrayFormula() function to the IF/Thens column and it blew up, haha.

[eyePod]

Alright. I'll bite. I'm currently at $12k only counting my investment accounts. I was up around 25k, but buying a house will really cut into that. Will we come back and update our original post, or just post a new one when we have an update?

Just as an FYI, you do lose the closing costs but the down payment gets transferred to equity, so you should only see a small dip in NW = to closing costs.

[Mazzinator]

Can someone explain to me how to update the chart from my ipad??? Please...

[Pooperman]

Can someone explain to me how to update the chart from my ipad??? Please...

Hold down the power button for a few seconds. Swipe across the screen. Walk over to a non-mobile device, turn it on. Navigate your way to this thread and open the google doc. Now it's editable!

[SpareChange]

This is as of the beginning of the month, when i normally calculate it. I'm just now getting around to posting it. I had my baby girl..yay!!!

Congratulations!

[FoundPeace]

Can someone explain to me how to update the chart from my ipad??? Please...

Hold down the power button for a few seconds. Swipe across the screen. Walk over to a non-mobile device, turn it on. Navigate your way to this thread and open the google doc. Now it's editable!

Or you could just download the google sheets app. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google-sheets/id842849113?mt=8

Personally, I'm a fan of the computer though...

[Mazzinator]

Can someone explain to me how to update the chart from my ipad??? Please...

Hold down the power button for a few seconds. Swipe across the screen. Walk over to a non-mobile device, turn it on. Navigate your way to this thread and open the google doc. Now it's editable!

Hahaha!!!

Jerk ;-)

[Pooperman]

Can someone explain to me how to update the chart from my ipad??? Please...

Hold down the power button for a few seconds. Swipe across the screen. Walk over to a non-mobile device, turn it on. Navigate your way to this thread and open the google doc. Now it's editable!

Hahaha!!!

Jerk ;-)

It maaaay have come off a bit more asshole-y than intended, at least it was taken as I meant it :).

[Mazzinator]

Can someone explain to me how to update the chart from my ipad??? Please...

Hold down the power button for a few seconds. Swipe across the screen. Walk over to a non-mobile device, turn it on. Navigate your way to this thread and open the google doc. Now it's editable!

Hahaha!!!

Jerk ;-)

It maaaay have come off a bit more asshole-y than intended, at least it was taken as I meant it :).

Nah, it's all good...i was just beginning to think that maybe i was just to stoopid to figure out how to edit it..so i thought i'd ask. I don't have a pc, just my ipad. I think i'll try the app, thanks FPeace.

[Pooperman]

NW up this month from 16,949.24 to 18,967.23 partially due to a correction in vehicle valuation (KBB says it's worth more than I thought it was when I guessed and now it's fixed and reflected).

Only saved 21% this month with a slew of yet more moving expenses (furniture is expensive when you have none or so I've discovered). Everything is furnished, but next month I've got the 6 month auto insurance bill of $550 + xmas gift cards so it won't be perfect, but it is getting better.

[Runge]

I'm up to $16,496.95 from $15,774.94. Fairly ho-hum this month. My employer decided to introduce a 2 week lag in pay in October, and I'm feeling the effects of it this month.

[MWM1220]

Is anyone else having trouble with the spreadsheet? Mine isn't autocalculating my change and in the growth tab my user is next to completely different numbers.

Anyway, went from a $6100 net worth to about $11,500! Not too shabby!

[Primm]

Is anyone else having trouble with the spreadsheet? Mine isn't autocalculating my change and in the growth tab my user is next to completely different numbers.

Anyway, went from a $6100 net worth to about $11,500! Not too shabby!

Yeah, it won't even open for me. If someone could update my November numbers to -$11,503.84 that would be awesome, thank you!

[ohyonghao]

The spreadsheet seems to be working fine for me.  I bought a nice road bike this month, so savings weren't quite what they would have been, but I got a hell of a deal on the bike.  Used on Craigslist for $1,000, the MSRP is $4,200, has all the components I would like and came with clipless pedals and a pair of shoes.

Oct:     $70,999.50
Nov:    $73,869.62
Saved: $2,870.12

Next month our new high deductible health plan starts taking premiums, which will mean a bit of savings for us along with the adjustment done on my W-4, we should see our savings accelerate.

[FoundPeace]

Integrated my 401k into my numbers this week, which added $3,740

Oct. $28,781
Nov.  $35,983

Even discounting the 401k, it was a great month!

[givemesunshine]

Hi all,

Down $1050 this month compared to last month but had some expensive medical bills (almost $5K) so not too disheartened. Back to normal savings rate now.

I haven't been including my Super (retirement) savings but they are steadily growing also (up $6K in 2 months)

[Primm]

Hi all,

Down $1050 this month compared to last month but had some expensive medical bills (almost $5K) so not too disheartened. Back to normal savings rate now.

I haven't been including my Super (retirement) savings but they are steadily growing also (up $6K in 2 months)

I don't include my Super either, if I did I wouldn't be eligible for this challenge. It's just stuff I've personally saved/invested that I count.

[kickel]

The spreadsheet seems to be working fine for me.  I bought a nice road bike this month, so savings weren't quite what they would have been, but I got a hell of a deal on the bike.  Used on Craigslist for $1,000, the MSRP is $4,200, has all the components I would like and came with clipless pedals and a pair of shoes.

Oct:     $70,999.50
Nov:    $73,869.62
Saved: $2,870.12

Next month our new high deductible health plan starts taking premiums, which will mean a bit of savings for us along with the adjustment done on my W-4, we should see our savings accelerate.

Sounds like a steal for the bike, well done! On another note, ohyonghao I'm right on your tail! This month I had a multi paycheck month with bonuses and commissions paying out so I saw a significant jump in savings. Since I've started taking this challenge seriously it has become easier and easier to save.  Keep up the good work all!

[seanc0x0]

Another decent month. Up 17.28% to ~$9180.  I have managed to ramp up savings from $400 a month to $1200. Would like to get it to around $2000, but it'll be hard over the next year. My wife is going on maternity leave and we'll be down to 60% of her salary, so I'll have to contribute more during that time.  Not too worried about it though, more concerned about daycare costs for 2 kids when she does go back to work.

[Wiggle]

End of October Update:
Cash/Savings: $2,633
Mutual Funds (non-retirement, house savings): $10,139
Work Retirement Accounts: $28,508

NW: $41,280 (increase of $1893)

End of November Update:
Cash/Savings: $3,092
Mutual Funds (non-retirement, house savings): $10,294
Work Retirement Accounts: $28,650

NW: $42,036 (increase of $756)

Not terrible, I saved a bit of cash and added my normal amount to my work RRSPs but didn't really make any gains on those with the fluctuations.

[Runge]

Is anyone else having trouble with the spreadsheet? Mine isn't autocalculating my change and in the growth tab my user is next to completely different numbers.

Anyway, went from a $6100 net worth to about $11,500! Not too shabby!

I only monitory the Net Worth tab, so I haven't really looked into the growth tab and related. I did make a few changes last month that utilized Google's ArrayFormula() formula, but it seems like it really bogs down the whole spreadsheet. I've reverted them back to normal formulas, so that should help.

[carozy]

I'm trying to add in yesterday's net worth ($12,826) but it keeps crashing on me.  :(  Maybe I'll try later.

Pretty spendy lately.

[lpep]

Is anyone else having trouble with the spreadsheet? Mine isn't autocalculating my change and in the growth tab my user is next to completely different numbers.

Anyway, went from a $6100 net worth to about $11,500! Not too shabby!

I only monitory the Net Worth tab, so I haven't really looked into the growth tab and related. I did make a few changes last month that utilized Google's ArrayFormula() formula, but it seems like it really bogs down the whole spreadsheet. I've reverted them back to normal formulas, so that should help.

Thanks Runge! On my (slow, janky, on-its-last-legs) computer, the net worth tab opens fine but the others are wonky - think it might be the chart.

[SpareChange]

Steady as she goes month for SpareChange. I also bought a road bike this month, though it won't show up till next month in the numbers. Up $3,325.59.

[Mazzinator]

Oct 2014

Savings $89,520
SL -$67,477

NW $22,043

Nov 2014

Debt 67,460
Savings 92,845

NW 25,385
$20k, so next month is going to look awesome.. I'm going to change my race to $120k, because i feel like i'm cheating with a windfall..

Dec 2014

Debt 56,171
Savings 107,209

NW 51,038

[Fonzico]

No movement for me last month :( I started a new job with a very different pay schedule, resulting in me taking home about half my normal pay for the month. December should be much better though, as the new job comes with a nice pay increase!

[carozy]

Can anyone fix the spreadsheet?  It crashes in Firefox and Safari continually and automatically for me.  I want to add in my November net worth ($12,826).  And see how far I've come.  Thanks.

[kpd905]

Why didn't I find this thread earlier?  I just hit $0 net worth back around July, here are my net worth numbers:

July: -2460
Aug: 1780
Sept: 9409
Oct: 10594
Nov: 17052
Dec: 21525

This comes from maxing out a 401k, a really really generous employer contribution, and huge student loan overpayments.  I tend to pay my student loans in large chunks every few months. 

I am starting a new job in a month, and my 401k contributions will be dialed back to only hit their match (8% to get 4%), while I pay as much as possible to my loans with the goal of getting rid of them by December 2015.

[ohyonghao]

Why didn't I find this thread earlier?  I just hit $0 net worth back around July, here are my net worth numbers:

July: -2460
Aug: 1780
Sept: 9409
Oct: 10594
Nov: 17052
Dec: 21525

This comes from maxing out a 401k, a really really generous employer contribution, and huge student loan overpayments.  I tend to pay my student loans in large chunks every few months. 

I am starting a new job in a month, and my 401k contributions will be dialed back to only hit their match (8% to get 4%), while I pay as much as possible to my loans with the goal of getting rid of them by December 2015.

Welcome to the thread. It's a fun place to be, I find it exciting and encouraging to be with other people in a similar stage on the road to FIRE.  Things are looking up, I get all excited with each paycheck (paid weekly) to see my networth number grow throughout the month.

Happy Savings!