Author Topic: Favourite metrics and charts?  (Read 3124 times)

StiffUpperLip

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Favourite metrics and charts?
« on: June 23, 2016, 01:18:36 AM »
*Nerd Alert!*

I find measuring my progress is the best motivation to improve - I love a good spreadsheet! 

I'm a very visual person so I'm currently putting together a 'dashboard' to illustrate the budget, review spending and track my savings going forward.

Any tips?  What are your favourite metrics to track? Do you have a favourite way of displaying your data for maximum motivational power?

 

markbike528CBX

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #1 on: June 23, 2016, 01:49:24 AM »
Net investables on semi log ($ log vertical, time horizontal linear)
It works best if the linear chart is starting to bend up and your current values are far greater than the initial amounts.

Cumulative Inputs(contributions) vs time.   it should start bending up from your starting levels.

pie chart of allocation types (shaded or colored) I use grayscale  for cash-like stuff and pure black for pure cash.   darker colors indicate more cash in that account.

pie chart of tax types.

recommend for hardcore nerds
Tufte, Edward R, The Visual Display of Quantitative Information

PencilThinStash

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2016, 09:13:12 AM »
As a spreadsheet nerd, I should aspire to be more like markbike. However, I'm a simple man. One graph, tracking total net worth. I know my rough COL, so size of the stash is all that matters. KISS principle.

cheapass

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2016, 01:04:44 PM »
I use 2 charts for the fridge, updated monthly. I find visual aids help the wife understand how real and tangible financial independence is, and not just "pie in the sky". I also point to the chart when she comes home bitching about her job :)

Chart 1 - History: Shows line graphs of spending, cash, and net worth by month for the last 3 years. Also has a mini chart of investment asset historical growth in the corner.

Chart 2 - Forecast: Shows net worth projections based on different investment rates per month. Has a line at the FI number so we can see how many years of work that extra $1000 a month will save us.

« Last Edit: June 23, 2016, 01:07:51 PM by armueller2001 »

bobechs

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2016, 02:33:58 PM »
My favorite chart



arrrrrrrr...

IndyPendent

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #5 on: June 24, 2016, 07:57:03 AM »

Tyson

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #6 on: June 24, 2016, 12:07:11 PM »
How about 26 charts that give you ammunition for your optimism gun?  26 Charts showing the world is getting much better:

http://www.vox.com/2014/11/24/7272929/charts-thankful

Some favorites:










monstermonster

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #7 on: June 24, 2016, 12:28:21 PM »
I do a monthly report over on my journal. Here's the most recent- it tracks my FI less than just my life in general.



JZinCO

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #8 on: June 25, 2016, 04:30:56 PM »
How about 26 charts that give you ammunition for your optimism gun?  26 Charts showing the world is getting much better:

http://www.vox.com/2014/11/24/7272929/charts-thankful

Thank you for these
 I.love it

johnny847

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sonjak

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #10 on: June 25, 2016, 07:02:34 PM »
How about 26 charts that give you ammunition for your optimism gun?  26 Charts showing the world is getting much better:

http://www.vox.com/2014/11/24/7272929/charts-thankful


Thank you for this link!  Really great.

Tyson

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #11 on: June 25, 2016, 07:06:33 PM »
How about 26 charts that give you ammunition for your optimism gun?  26 Charts showing the world is getting much better:

http://www.vox.com/2014/11/24/7272929/charts-thankful


Thank you for this link!  Really great.

It's my reply to people that talk about "the good old days".  NOW is the good old days, my friend.  As these charts show. 

Yaeger

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Re: Favourite metrics and charts?
« Reply #12 on: June 25, 2016, 07:46:17 PM »
I've always thought https://portfoliocharts.com/ was pretty useful in playing around with my portfolio and seeing what others could be doing.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!