Author Topic: How often do you calculate your networth  (Read 8601 times)

moneytaichi

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 247
  • Location: Southern California
How often do you calculate your networth
« on: October 26, 2018, 09:38:55 PM »
I normally update my networth once a month. With current market conditions, I am little scared to update it. Maybe I can only look at my cash flow (mostly banks) without tuning into too much into the stock market ups and downs. But on the other hand, I see the values of updating my networth even when the market is down so I get to know my risk tolerance level better.

How often do you update your networth?

maizefolk

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7400
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #1 on: October 26, 2018, 09:45:41 PM »
Like you I pull the numbers to do a net worth update once a month.

But, honestly, if you don't want to calculate your end of October numbers, don't force yourself. For some people, part of how they achieve greater volatility tolerance (which is a little different from risk tolerance but let's not get into that tonight) is just thinking about other things when the market is dropping.

foobaz

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 27
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2018, 09:47:49 PM »
I keep track of my network in a worksheet at a very high level and take a look at it about once every couple months and if something looks wrong I'll take a look at the numbers in all my accounts and make adjustments to match them. I used to do this more often but it was getting tedious and I wasn't really getting much out of doing it that often.

oldladystache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 944
  • Age: 79
  • Location: coastal southern california
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2018, 10:01:12 PM »
I add everything up in January and July.

JAYSLOL

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2137
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #4 on: October 26, 2018, 10:40:57 PM »
I know this is probably weird, but I calculate it daily.  It's not much to add up, log in to 2 investment accounts and add to what I keep as an emergency fund, which doesnt change much.  I don't count anything else, just invested net worth and cash not in my checking account, and I round to the nearest $100 when I'm adding them, no need to be more specific than that.  I find it keeps me motivated on a daily basis to save more and work harder, and it's entertaining to watch it go up and down with market swings.

Andy R

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 336
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2018, 11:49:06 PM »
Timely thread.
I decided just a couple of weeks ago to start tracking my net worth at the end of each month.

A few days ago I stopped reading one of the forums I normally read when people were saying they have withdrawn all their money to take advantage of "buying cheap". The ego and arrogance of people who think they know more than the market made it just more sensible for me to just leave than to bother even responding. Actually I just realised that I have since then, not looked at the market. So that has been the benefit I was looking for.

I suppose this is a pretty big downside of keeping a record of net worth - looking at it to note it down.
Is there any work around that others do, or just leave out the calculation for a month (or more) to avoid looking ?

GoodToGrow

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 12
  • Location: Doha or Fano
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2018, 12:30:06 AM »
I do it at the start of every month as part of my financial chores.  I find that this helps to focus my goals a bit more (I used to do quarterly, but if I wasn't aware and had drifted off for a quarter then it was difficult to recover for the year).  The key is to not worry about market conditions, though, it's just a data point and tomorrow it will be different. 

Anybody do credit score monitoring / tracking?  That one is black magic to me.  I'm often surprised to see it change by 6-10 points without any real changes in my life and finances (except for savings increasing thankfully).

foghorn

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 144
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2018, 04:32:39 AM »
I also track my net worth once a month, usually the first Saturday after the end of each business month.  Saturday is simply when I have the time to do it. 

I add up all of my Investment Accounts and also get an estimate on the value of my home (use Zillow).  I put it all into an Excel Spreadsheet I started about 15 years ago. 

I do it every month (no matter what is happening in the markets) - not always fun to do it when there a big "down" months.  But, being consistent gives me that long term view and a great idea of how I am really doing.

libertarian4321

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1395
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2018, 05:01:53 AM »
Rarely.  A couple of times a year, maybe?

When I was young, I used to keep track on a weekly basis, but now I realize that's kind of pointless.

CarolinaGirl

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 74
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2018, 06:08:51 AM »
I just let the Personal Capital app do it for me.  I’m still in the accumulation phase and have noticed that with greater market volatility I check it less frequently.  Maybe twice a month now.  The drops don’t bother me though.  It’s kind of fascinating in a way.

Tempname23

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 211
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #10 on: October 27, 2018, 06:18:07 AM »
I general calculate mine every 3 months.
 This may change, we entered full retirement on
Oct 10th. I was semi retired and my wife had finally
come around to the idea of retiring. We had started
putting out the word that our small business was for sale.
  Micheal came through totally destroying our business.
Since the day we had our forced retirement, VTSAX/VTI
is down 7.8%. Not a good start. But we over saved, so
we will be fine. Starting January, I'll be getting a good
handle on how much we spend on in a year.

nick663

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 426
  • Location: midwest
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #11 on: October 27, 2018, 06:58:33 AM »
We did monthly last year because of a lot of changes to our finances (new house, new location, etc) and wanting to get a good baseline for target setting.
We scaled back to quarterly this year because it's now just tracking of progress to the target.

AccidentalMiser

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 704
  • Age: 56
  • Location: SE Tenn
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #12 on: October 27, 2018, 07:29:08 AM »
Mint calculates it for me daily.  I have a spreadsheet which I then update for historical and forecasting purposes.  It's just part of my daily financial hygiene routine. 

grettman

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 84
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #13 on: October 27, 2018, 07:48:06 AM »
Once a month.  Regardless of major losses or major gains.


nihilism122

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 37
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #14 on: October 27, 2018, 08:09:23 AM »
Whenever I log into my account, I inevitably see my networth. 

AccidentialMustache

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 927
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #15 on: October 27, 2018, 08:15:50 AM »
Once -- Jan 1st. Our savings rate was already high and we have enough in that market peak and dips like has happened in Oct is enough to overshadow new investments for a year.

Steeze

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1205
  • Age: 36
  • Location: NYC Area of Earth
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #16 on: October 27, 2018, 08:31:01 AM »
Weekly, sometimes daily.
Spreadsheet updates realtime, so why not?

I also get some sort of masochistic joy out of the volatility.

Blueberries

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 238
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #17 on: October 27, 2018, 08:32:31 AM »
I typically run the numbers once a year or when we have a life change (i.e. change in income or expenses).

use2betrix

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2492
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #18 on: October 27, 2018, 08:42:11 AM »
Personal Capital app does it for me whenever I want each time I log in. Pretty much daily to monitor the stocks and also to review spending to make sure nothing unauthorized is coming from my CC’s, bank, etc.

WynnDuffy73

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 48
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #19 on: October 27, 2018, 08:43:37 AM »
Usually every day.  It’s as easy as clicking on the App.

bluebelle

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 645
  • Location: near north Ontario
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #20 on: October 27, 2018, 08:51:53 AM »
I used to track daily, but only save month-end numbers in my spreadsheet.  Lately, I'm just looking too often (okay, I look, but not enter the numbers)

As someone said, it helped me get comfortable with market volitity, seeing things jump $10-20K in a day makes me recognize that things will sometimes drop by that amount (or more)....don't like it, but helps me not panic when a correction comes.

I also update expenses in a spreasheet once a month - pull the CC statement and dump the spending into rough catagories and pull and online bill pays (utility for example).  It's what I've used to project our retirement spend (I have just over 4 years now).  We have some variable spending and I use it see the big picture.   It helped me convince my hubby that we didn't need the big yearly number he thought for retirement.....

Andy R

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 336
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #21 on: October 27, 2018, 09:08:55 AM »
Whenever I log into my account, I inevitably see my networth.

Seems like a good idea. Instead of a certain time, just do it whenever you go to add money since you are already there, and no need to look at it any other time.

RWD

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 6529
  • Location: Arizona
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #22 on: October 27, 2018, 09:31:30 AM »
GnuCash shows me our net worth automatically and I enter transactions every other week. We're down roughly $30k this month, but it's hard to complain when we're still up $90k compared to the same time last year.

SwordGuy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8955
  • Location: Fayetteville, NC
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #23 on: October 27, 2018, 10:26:48 AM »
My behavior changed when I went from accumulation mode to FIRED mode.

When accumulating, I did a full net worth calculation once a year in January. 

For the rest of the year I tracked contributions to the stash each payday but didn't follow the market at all during the year.    That way, if the market went up at all during the year, I was pleasantly "surprised" at the higher balance.   My forward FIRE plans were based on contributions, not on market growth.   I.e., 0% market growth.   At the end of the year, I updated balances to account for market growth or its opposite.

That way I got to FIRE earlier than predicted, which is a lot easier to accept than the other way around.

All of that is silliness, but it worked for me.


This year, our FIRE year, I've been tracking net worth at least monthly and also when a big dip or rise was reported.  I wanted to get used to "losing" $100,000 in a day when I knew it really didn't matter.   I put "losing" in quotes because I still own the stocks, so I didn't really lose anything.
 This month I've gotten so used to the ups and downs of this year that I haven't bothered to do a calculation after the drops.   So I guess my mental innoculation strategy has been working...



Telecaster

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 3551
  • Location: Seattle, WA
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #24 on: October 27, 2018, 11:34:53 AM »
I check it a lot when the market is going up, and not very much at all when the market is going down.

Ocinfo

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 313
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #25 on: October 27, 2018, 11:38:37 AM »
Daily(ish) via Mint, Personal Capital, etc...I also keep a spreadsheet that includes both my wife’s and my accounts that gets updated at the end of each quarter. I keep the spreadsheet as it’s been interesting watching the trend line and forward predictions over the last few years. I also compare the forward prediction against a Monte Carlo sim and it’s been interesting how closely they have tracked. The last couple weeks will certainly flatten the trend a bit but I just keep buying...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Laserjet3051

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 904
  • Age: 95
  • Location: Upper Peninsula (MI)
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #26 on: October 27, 2018, 11:40:51 AM »
When I first started, I did it once a month, then backed off as such high granularity/resolution is really unnecessary. Now I do it once every few months, but avoid doing it during market downturns, so depending upon near term market movements, it could be a long while before I calculate again. That said, I budget, and review my budget weekly, or even more frequently as expenses come and go.

Radagast

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2541
  • One Does Not Simply Work Into Mordor
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #27 on: October 27, 2018, 12:13:51 PM »
Quarterly, and it would be very rarely except that I post it in one of the challenge threads. We are in the gigantic space between having way more money than we need to make it though the week, but way less than we need to make it through life so there just doesn't seem any point to logging in to the six or however many accounts on a regular basis. Also so far we never had a quarterly loss of net worth, and I doubt we will for several years yet as out incomes increase. That is one advantage of quarterly calculations: less noise.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #28 on: October 27, 2018, 01:10:43 PM »
Never. I don't really care.

We calculate our cash+investable assets monthly just to xjexk nothing fishy is going on with accounts.

But determining the value of our house and any other assets? Too much work

Loren Ver

  • CM*MW 2023 Attendees
  • Handlebar Stache
  • *
  • Posts: 1223
  • Location: Midwest USA
  • I Retired. Yah!
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #29 on: October 27, 2018, 02:35:40 PM »
Quarterly but not actual networth.  We have a lot of types of account and such so it takes some effort. 
I don't actually do networth since that doesn't matter to us.  It is just an accounting of accounts that have money.  House mortgage, student loans, other assets we don't factor any of that in as they are being paid off on schedule or aren't for sale.

LV

PDXTabs

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5160
  • Age: 40
  • Location: Vancouver, WA, USA
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #30 on: October 27, 2018, 02:38:46 PM »
I try to do it once per month, but forget more often than not. If you don't want to calculate it, don't, just keep investing.

BlueHouse

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4136
  • Location: WDC
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #31 on: October 27, 2018, 03:17:02 PM »
Quicken shows my net worth everyday, but I track it monthly in a separate spreadsheet by category, fund, and account.  Then I add those up and compare changes by month.  It helps me to see when I have a month when I'm down $50K, that the previous two months I was up $80K.  Even though I can see my number getting higher on a regular basis, when I see a "bad month", that tends to stick in my mind and I forget about all the "good months" I had previously.  I find seeing it this way helps me see the big picture. 


birdie55

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 187
  • Location: Nor Cal
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #32 on: October 27, 2018, 03:55:19 PM »
I calculate my net worth once a month, on the first of the month.

I calculate all my real numbers and get a sub total.  Then I calculate the value of my home and future pensions and come up with a second total.  I usually just compare the first total, since that is actual money or funds that I control.  The other is not in my control.

DreamFIRE

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1593
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #33 on: October 27, 2018, 04:51:42 PM »

Never.   I never calculate my net worth because it's meaningless.  Net worth includes my paid-off house, and I won't be drawing down on my home using the 4% rule.  My drawdown will be determined by my stash, not my net worth.

If the question was about my stash instead of net worth, I would give a very different answer.

moneytaichi

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 247
  • Location: Southern California
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #34 on: October 27, 2018, 06:18:28 PM »
Thank you for your replies! They are super-helpful. It's amazing to see the range of options. I guess the frequency would be largely determined by your FIRE-stage, personality and goals.

I just updated my networth, and it drops a big amount. But it didn't hurt so bad because your comments have given me much perspectives.

I have decided to stick with monthly updates for now because 1) I recently have done lots of financial changes so I need to update it to reflect the new situation; 2) I always combine financial learning with the updating process so I have learned a lot (including verifying my hypothesis such as post-FIRE withdrawal strategies & asset allocation) during the update process; 3) the process helps me build tolerance to market volatility. 4) I use a spreadsheet to keep a historical view and allow me do some simulations.

One useful tip I got from this thread is to track our expenses more closely since we are in post-FIRE.

Thank you all for your input!

Psychstache

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1594
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #35 on: October 27, 2018, 06:25:53 PM »
Accounts are reviewed and spreadsheet is updated quarterly.

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk


NVDee

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 38
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #36 on: October 27, 2018, 11:58:55 PM »
I add up accounts a few times a week on the calculator, but spreadsheet NW on a quarterly basis.  This has got me very comfortable with volatility.  This quarter is down a lot, but the last three were each up as much or more.  Time to buy more!

seattlecyclone

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7254
  • Age: 39
  • Location: Seattle, WA
    • My blog
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #37 on: October 28, 2018, 09:19:40 PM »
I track my finances with Quicken. It pulls in the value of publicly traded securities all the time, and at this point in my life that's where most of the day-to-day fluctuations in my net worth come from. That's not to say I actually look at it daily, maybe weekly? I plug in other income/expense transactions every month or two to give a more accurate representation of the current net worth.

SubL stache

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 74
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #38 on: October 28, 2018, 09:26:50 PM »
I update about twice a week.  Cash accounts are easy and I log into 4 investment accounts and update the balance.

Lost 19k this month in my investment accounts, but staying the course.

AnswerIs42

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 178
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #39 on: October 29, 2018, 12:14:58 PM »
Once a quarter here. More often than that, and it's easy to get obsessed with what's basically noise, IMO.

Bateaux

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2318
  • Location: Port Vincent
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #40 on: October 29, 2018, 12:20:02 PM »
Mint is pretty effortless once set up.  I check daily.

DS

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 673
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #41 on: October 29, 2018, 12:27:14 PM »
Upon finding MMM, was logging into Personal Capital daily to check. Now just checking 1-2 times per month, less frequently as time passes. Not too many events occurring to change the number. Income, expense, market swings. Kinda boring.

haypug16

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1332
  • Age: 45
  • Location: Boston, MA
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #42 on: October 29, 2018, 12:57:09 PM »
Twice a month on payday. I'm in the race to $10k and I like doing a twice a month update to stay on track. This month I really don't want to post an update since I had a "big for me" drop in my investments and that's where most of my assets are. So it looks like a bad month even though I continue to pay down debt and save/invest money.

TFT

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 9
    • TFT
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #43 on: October 29, 2018, 06:17:41 PM »
Rarely. Maybe 1x a year? I see it often when I log into Mint but it doesn't really do much for me. I track my savings rate like a hawk though. I think of the net worth number as an output. Kind of like checking your body weight to assess health instead of checking your blood pressure and other vitals.

specialkayme

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 278
  • Location: Mid-South Atlantic
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #44 on: October 30, 2018, 09:23:18 AM »
Monthly.

Monthly cash flow, monthly networth. I used to do it weekly, then per paycheck, but found monthly was easier for me to manage. I've noticed dips when the market crashes and I say "Hmm, oh well." Then I've noticed increases when the market soars, and I say "Hmm, that's neat." Neither appears to change my investment directions, but tracking it monthly helps me stay better on top of my spending habits.

Doing it this way allowed me to change my networth from -$89,000 (student loans are a b*tch) to +$1,300 in 20 months. That may not seem like an accomplishment to some on here, but I'm happier than a pig in sh*t with it.

But ultimately, whatever works well for you is the answer.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #45 on: October 30, 2018, 10:09:52 AM »
Upon finding MMM, was logging into Personal Capital daily to check. Now just checking 1-2 times per month, less frequently as time passes. Not too many events occurring to change the number. Income, expense, market swings. Kinda boring.

Market swings drastically change the number. It sucks to lose a year's salary from the last time you looked. But whatever, it will be back eventually I'm sure.

DS

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 673
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #46 on: October 30, 2018, 11:10:29 AM »
Upon finding MMM, was logging into Personal Capital daily to check. Now just checking 1-2 times per month, less frequently as time passes. Not too many events occurring to change the number. Income, expense, market swings. Kinda boring.

Market swings drastically change the number. It sucks to lose a year's salary from the last time you looked. But whatever, it will be back eventually I'm sure.

I moreso meant boring in my case because there's no action prompted by the changes. Once income/expense were understood and are now as close to predictable as possible, it's boring because I'm not doing anything based on the number I see. At least for now at the beginning of the journey.

PoutineLover

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1570
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #47 on: October 30, 2018, 11:18:46 AM »
I update every 2 weeks when I get paid. However, for now I'm tracking contributions rather than current value, because I find it keeps me more motivated to see how much I've invested vs how much it's gone up or down in the period. Since withdrawal is such a long time away, it doesn't really matter anyway.

flipboard

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 291
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #48 on: October 30, 2018, 11:47:15 AM »
Once a year - when I do my taxes. The rest of the time I can see how much I have "stashed", but I don't really track it. I haven't seen any evidence that tracking improves returns yet...

soccerluvof4

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7161
  • Location: Artic Midwest
  • Retired at 50
    • My Journal
Re: How often do you calculate your networth
« Reply #49 on: October 31, 2018, 09:06:33 AM »
With mint its pretty easy to peek most everyday but its more out of habit than anything.