Race from 10 to 100k!!

[tarheeldan]

Broke the 50K mark!

Congratulations! Halfway, woohoo!!

I juuuust missed the mark in Jan but should be there very soon!

[kickel]

Well that wasn't a good month I still managed to save a little in my investment accounts but with stocks on sale, and a few unexpected expenses My NW decreased. Not all bad though looking forward to a great February.

[ash7962]

Jan was my bonus month and I used most of it to frontload my 401k, so paid minimal tax up front causing my Jan increase to look huge.  The only downside here is that now my regular pay checks are much higher due to not funding my 401k as much every check.  I'll have to keep a close eye on lifestyle inflation and maybe set up an automatic taxable investment account transfer to combat the potential lifestyle creep.

[ohyonghao]

Great month! Up 6607.29, to just over 40K. Received my 401k match. Worked some OT. Paid off my last student loan. Debt free now :).

Congratulations!  Great being debt free.  Now you'll be making the interest rather than paying it.

[SpareChange]

Great month! Up 6607.29, to just over 40K. Received my 401k match. Worked some OT. Paid off my last student loan. Debt free now :).

Congratulations!  Great being debt free.  Now you'll be making the interest rather than paying it.

Thanks! It is a great feeling.

[Kananas]

Hello guys!

This seems like a good group for me. I don't know the exact number of our net worth when this thread was started, but I guess it was somewhere around 30000€. At the beginning of Jan 2015 our net worth was 51469€ and up 2387€ from Dec 2014. I will post our Feb 2015 stats as soon as my latest deposits are shown at my index fund accounts.

I'm hoping to reach that magical 100k at the end of 2016.

[seanc0x0]

I didn't add anything to the stash this month, since I've been waiting for the Gov't to pay my parental leave benefits. EI is not fast, it has taken over a month to process. I'm very glad I'm no longer living paycheque to paycheque!  Never the less, I've managed a respectable 4.4% increase, from $9700 to $10130 or so due to market increases and a dividend payment. I've finally reached the starting line!

I'm hoping to have a much larger contribution next month, as I'll have the parental leave benefits pay from EI and the top-up (to 90% of my salary, I love academia!) from my employer.

[Mazzinator]

End of dec
Savings $111k
Student loans -$56k

NW $55k

Current totals..
Savings $114k
SL -$55

NW $59k

[Kananas]

Net worth 6th of Feb:
53219€
up 1750€ from Jan.

Looks like I'm little behind you Mazzinator. Checked your previous posts (saw your income) and looks like I'm gonna stay behind you too. :)

[Wiggle]

Got paid early and won't be making anymore big financial moves this year so here is my end of December/end of 2014 update:
Cash/Savings: $3,805
Mutual Funds (non-retirement, house savings): $10,240
Work Retirement Accounts: $29,092

NW: $43,137 (increase of $1,101)

End of January update:
Cash/Savings: $3,823
Mutual Funds (non-retirement, house savings): $10,697
Work Retirement Accounts: $31,979

NW: $46,499 (increase of $3,362)

I should have a pretty juicy tax return as well next month (yes I know this indicates I need to adjust my deductions).

[tyler1215]

Got hit with a couple of medical bills right at the end of the month, resulting in a second straight month of NW decrease.  Doesn't look so bad due to some bills falling on the last day of January and the rest falling in February.  Be looking for a negative NW at the end of February.  Two steps back; allowing me more running room to bust through the 100k barrier at the end of 2015.  Job well done by everyone and good luck in February!!

[Guizmo]

I crossed the 100k mark last month. Woo hoo!

[SingleMomDebt]

I crossed the 100k mark last month. Woo hoo!

Congrats, Guizmo!!

[tarheeldan]

I crossed the 100k mark last month. Woo hoo!

Congratulations!!

[johnny847]

I'll join in. But, I didn't start off at 10k because I received a large gift from my parents once I started grad school 06/13 (though I still had some of my own savings):

(These are all end of month figures)
05/13: 33.1k
06/13: 33.3k
07/13: 35.4k
08/13: 35.2k
09/13: 38.1k
10/13: 40.1k (whoo hit 40k!)
11/13: 41.5k
12/13: 44.9k
01/14: 44.7k
02/14: 47.7k
03/14: 50.6k (whoo hit 50k!)
04/14: 53.5k
05/14: 51.4k
06/14: 57.0k
07/14: 61.1k (whoo hit 60k!)
08/14: 61.2k
09/14: 63.5k
10/14: 65.1k
11/14: 67.5k
12/14: 72.7k (whoo hit 70k!)
01/15: 69.8k (damn dipped just below 70k =P)

Some notes:
I pay rent and school fees three times a year: August, January, and May (but not May 2013). Hence, my net worth tends to drop during those months.
I was by Mustachian standards spendy through 12/13. Fortunately, I still spent well within my means.
I found Bogleheads and started investing 03/14. I started being frugal, but not MMM frugal.
I'm pretty sure I found MMM around June 2014. I then raised my frugality to MMM standards.
I got paid quite a bit of overtime June and July 2014.
I was supposed to be paid $2750 in 01/15, but I got paid 12/14 instead, resulting in a sizeable drop in NW 01/15.

So far this month, my NW is $71.5k, mostly because of some nice investment gains but also because of one paycheck.

[ohyonghao]

I'll join in. But, I didn't start off at 10k because I received a large gift from my parents once I started grad school 06/13 (though I still had some of my own savings):

(These are all end of month figures)
05/13: 33.1k
06/13: 33.3k
07/13: 35.4k
08/13: 35.2k
09/13: 38.1k
10/13: 40.1k (whoo hit 40k!)
11/13: 41.5k
12/13: 44.9k
01/14: 44.7k
02/14: 47.7k
03/14: 50.6k (whoo hit 50k!)
04/14: 53.5k
05/14: 51.4k
06/14: 57.0k
07/14: 61.1k (whoo hit 60k!)
08/14: 61.2k
09/14: 63.5k
10/14: 65.1k
11/14: 67.5k
12/14: 72.7k (whoo hit 70k!)
01/15: 69.8k (damn dipped just below 70k =P)

Some notes:
I pay rent and school fees three times a year: August, January, and May (but not May 2013). Hence, my net worth tends to drop during those months.
I was by Mustachian standards spendy through 12/13. Fortunately, I still spent well within my means.
I found Bogleheads and started investing 03/14. I started being frugal, but not MMM frugal.
I'm pretty sure I found MMM around June 2014. I then raised my frugality to MMM standards.
I got paid quite a bit of overtime June and July 2014.
I was supposed to be paid $2750 in 01/15, but I got paid 12/14 instead, resulting in a sizeable drop in NW 01/15.

So far this month, my NW is $71.5k, mostly because of some nice investment gains but also because of one paycheck.

Welcome to this thread!  There isn't really a requirement on where to start, but the goal is to exceed $100k.

[johnny847]

Welcome to this thread!  There isn't really a requirement on where to start, but the goal is to exceed $100k.

Oh haha I guess I missed that part.

Depending on how the market does, I'm hoping to hit $100k first quarter next year, but we shall see....

[misschedda]

Hi all! I've been lurking for a while and finally decided to throw my hat into the ring for some motivation and accountability. I started tracking my accounts and net worth in Summer 2014.

07/14: $29.2k
08/14: $33.3k (big lump paycheck from a previous job)
09/14: $35.5k
10/14: $37.1k
11/14: $39.7k
12/14: $50.4k (second big lump paycheck from previous job, plus stock market runup)
01/15: $51.0k

My progress should usually be more "slow and steady" than this trend implies--my usual monthly increase in net worth should be ~$1.3k.

[hexdexorex]

Hi all! I've been lurking for a while and finally decided to throw my hat into the ring for some motivation and accountability. I started tracking my accounts and net worth in Summer 2014.

07/14: $29.2k
08/14: $33.3k (big lump paycheck from a previous job)
09/14: $35.5k
10/14: $37.1k
11/14: $39.7k
12/14: $50.4k (second big lump paycheck from previous job, plus stock market runup)
01/15: $51.0k

My progress should usually be more "slow and steady" than this trend implies--my usual monthly increase in net worth should be ~$1.3k.

Wow great progress I didn't reach that NW till a couple years out of college.

Looking back through my mint history (since 2007) it is amazing how long it takes to get to 100k.

[SpareChange]

My best month yet! Up $7750, largely due to the boatload of overtime I've had the opportunity to put in. I'll keep digging the gold as long as the mine stays open. ;)

[ohyonghao]

My best month yet! Up $7750, largely due to the boatload of overtime I've had the opportunity to put in. I'll keep digging the gold as long as the mine stays open. ;)

That's great progress!  They closed the mine here at my work a long time ago.  I'm having a bump this month anyways due to tax return.  I adjusted my withholdings at the end of the year last year so I expect to not get anything back next year.

[seanc0x0]

As predicted, a big increase this month. Jumped up ~25% to $12750! Expecting to go back to the slower, more consistent growth for the next few months.

[Pooperman]

As predicted, a big increase this month. Jumped up ~25% to $12750! Expecting to go back to the slower, more consistent growth for the next few months.

Awesome! Unexpected things slowed Pitagirl and I down this month. 25% savings rate instead of the usual ~50%. Sad times.

[frogger]

Feb. NW: 5600

Mar. NW: 9300

Next paycheck I should be able to do the 10K happy dance!

[johnny847]

Feb. NW: 5600

Mar. NW: 9300

Next paycheck I should be able to do the 10K happy dance!

*raises glass* Here's to next month!

EDIT: Wait you mean January and February, not February and March...?

[johnny847]

Jan 2015: 69.8k
Feb 2015: 73.8k (Back over 70k!)

A larger than expected increase this month, with $2200 of rise in net worth coming from my investments (that's 55% of the growth coming from investments).

[frogger]

*raises glass* Here's to next month!

EDIT: Wait you mean January and February, not February and March...?

Oh, yeah, I guess I kind of count forward a bit. Current NW is end of Feb./Mar. 1st number.

And I get paid in a week, so I'll be back between monthly updates to do the happy dance!

[Pooperman]

Broke $30k (and $15k in investments)!

[Suit]

I hit positive net worth this month!

[trailrated]

Medical cost backslide continues ahhhhhhh, will be up next month.

[SingleMomDebt]

Current: $38081

Will update spreadsheet when I get to my laptop.

[givemesunshine]

More medical expenses for me (and $5K more due) so happy to be up (only $300 but still a positive increase).

Hope March is a good month for you all!

[ohyonghao]

I hit positive net worth this month!

Congratulations!  It gets more intense from that point and you really start to see the numbers grow.

Our numbers for February were bolstered by tax returns coming in, and an appraisal on our house.  We'll probably see less increase next month, though a refinance deal will certainly shake things up a bit.  Shouldn't hit any negative growth, but hard to saw how all the numbers work out in the end.

Jan: $82,878.52
Feb: $92,666.05
Total Increase: $9,787.53

If these numbers keep up we'll clear $100k mid year.

[SpareChange]

I hit positive net worth this month!

Always a great landwark to achieve. Well done!

[SpareChange]

Our numbers for February were bolstered by tax returns coming in, and an appraisal on our house.  We'll probably see less increase next month, though a refinance deal will certainly shake things up a bit.  Shouldn't hit any negative growth, but hard to saw how all the numbers work out in the end.

Jan: $82,878.52
Feb: $92,666.05
Total Increase: $9,787.53

If these numbers keep up we'll clear $100k mid year.

Gettin' close! I hope to be you in another year!

[bokonon]

Between the stock market doing so well and tons of winter overtime (40 hours of paid OT so far in 2015), February was one of our best months yet!

Hard to believe how much progress my family has made since we hit $0 NW in April of 2014.  I am hoping for $100k in early to mid summer which is unbelievable. 

I wonder how much net worth MMM is directly responsible for helping build through his blog... it has to be millions and always growing.  Kind of cool to think about.

This thread is so positive - everyone is doing awesome.. Keep up the good work all!

[Pooperman]

Between the stock market doing so well and tons of winter overtime (40 hours of paid OT so far in 2015), February was one of our best months yet!

Hard to believe how much progress my family has made since we hit $0 NW in April of 2014.  I am hoping for $100k in early to mid summer which is unbelievable. 

I wonder how much net worth MMM is directly responsible for helping build through his blog... it has to be millions and always growing.  Kind of cool to think about.

This thread is so positive - everyone is doing awesome.. Keep up the good work all!

Nice! We'll have at least 2 people completing the race  this year! I expect to cross the line some time next year.

[johnny847]

My old home computer crashes each time I try to update the spreadsheet, but here are my numbers for February:

Networth: -31,726.00

Slow progress! I did my taxes yesterday and after playing around with the numbers I decided to recharacterize my Roth contributions and then take some of my Emergency Fund to fully fund a Traditional IRA for 2014. Not only am I getting a 1K larger tax refund, but I also got myself into the 15% tax bracket!! I am super excited!!

I recharacterized also! I ended up in the 25% bracket, even after a recharacterization. Regardless, that saved me $1705 for my 2014 taxes (of course, that just means I'll owe tax on this money later...but it should be at a lower rate - Roth conversion pipeline).

[johnny847]

My old home computer crashes each time I try to update the spreadsheet, but here are my numbers for February:

Networth: -31,726.00

Slow progress! I did my taxes yesterday and after playing around with the numbers I decided to recharacterize my Roth contributions and then take some of my Emergency Fund to fully fund a Traditional IRA for 2014. Not only am I getting a 1K larger tax refund, but I also got myself into the 15% tax bracket!! I am super excited!!

I recharacterized also! I ended up in the 25% bracket, even after a recharacterization. Regardless, that saved me $1705 for my 2014 taxes (of course, that just means I'll owe tax on this money later...but it should be at a lower rate - Roth conversion pipeline).

Woo-hoo! That is awesome! I am not too worried about the taxes later, as you noted. But it was shocking what a difference the recharacterization made! I feel like I just solved the puzzle or something! I know everyone debates the merits of Roth v. Traditional, but I had never actually done the numbers. This year I am maxing my 403B and I am going to try my damnedest to fully fund the Traditional as well. I am trying to take a new perspective on low-interest debt (student loans in my case) and play the long game....

Haha that's basically what happened to me. I mean, I knew that it would be a tax break of 25% fed + 6% state. But until I actually went to calculate my taxes, for me there was a bit of a mental disconnect between a 31% tax deduction, and that 0.31*5500 = $1705.

What's the interest rate on your loans? And congrats on making maxing your 403b a priority! (I would say congrats on maxing your 403b, but it's only March and I assume you haven't done that yet...=P)

[johnny847]

My old home computer crashes each time I try to update the spreadsheet, but here are my numbers for February:

Networth: -31,726.00

Slow progress! I did my taxes yesterday and after playing around with the numbers I decided to recharacterize my Roth contributions and then take some of my Emergency Fund to fully fund a Traditional IRA for 2014. Not only am I getting a 1K larger tax refund, but I also got myself into the 15% tax bracket!! I am super excited!!

I recharacterized also! I ended up in the 25% bracket, even after a recharacterization. Regardless, that saved me $1705 for my 2014 taxes (of course, that just means I'll owe tax on this money later...but it should be at a lower rate - Roth conversion pipeline).

Woo-hoo! That is awesome! I am not too worried about the taxes later, as you noted. But it was shocking what a difference the recharacterization made! I feel like I just solved the puzzle or something! I know everyone debates the merits of Roth v. Traditional, but I had never actually done the numbers. This year I am maxing my 403B and I am going to try my damnedest to fully fund the Traditional as well. I am trying to take a new perspective on low-interest debt (student loans in my case) and play the long game....

Haha that's basically what happened to me. I mean, I knew that it would be a tax break of 25% fed + 6% state. But until I actually went to calculate my taxes, for me there was a bit of a mental disconnect between a 31% tax deduction, and that 0.31*5500 = $1705.

What's the interest rate on your loans? And congrats on making maxing your 403b a priority! (I would say congrats on maxing your 403b, but it's only March and I assume you haven't done that yet...=P)

My private loans are variable but are hovering around 3.1% for the last few years. I hope that will remain the trend. I have a 50K balance so it's hard to prioritize investing, but the numbers don't lie! I also have about 90K in federal loans but I am on IBR so reducing my AGI is a double whammy, since my payment on those is based on AGI. I have about 6 years left on PSLF...I know people might yell at me for relying on PSLF, but I think it's the best for me.

This is my first year maxing the 403b....I might reevaluate if loan rates change or circumstances change.

Nice. Yea the numbers don't lie! Though your true after tax student loan interest rate is not 3.1% b/c of the student loan interest deduction (but you have to make sure to keep your AGI under the limit - phaseout of the deduction starts at a MAGI of 65k, and is completely phased out at 80k). By contributing to a traditional 403b or traditional IRA, you will lower your MAGI for the student loan interest deduction.

[SpareChange]

I wonder how much net worth MMM is directly responsible for helping build through his blog... it has to be millions and always growing.  Kind of cool to think about.

This thread is so positive - everyone is doing awesome.. Keep up the good work all!

This. Just looking at the progress made by those who have kept updating is amazing...and it hasn't even been a year since we started this sheet. 

[Wiggle]

End of January update:
Cash/Savings: $3,823
Mutual Funds (non-retirement, house savings): $10,697
Work Retirement Accounts: $31,979

NW: $46,499 (increase of $3,362)

End of February update:
Cash/Savings: $4,317
Mutual Funds (non-retirement, house savings): $10,703
Work Retirement Accounts: $32,968

NW: $47,988 (increase of $1,489)

Almost to the 50% mark (50k) :)  This month I am getting my tax refund which will easily shoot me over the mark and then my normal savings on top of that.  It's funny that I had just started making money seriously a couple years ago and even having 100k saved impossible but now I can really see it being attainable.

[misschedda]

Hi racers! I just put all my info in the spreadsheet. Does it automatically reorder the rows or do I have to do something to trigger that?

[tarheeldan]

I wonder how much net worth MMM is directly responsible for helping build through his blog... it has to be millions and always growing.  Kind of cool to think about.

This thread is so positive - everyone is doing awesome.. Keep up the good work all!

This. Just looking at the progress made by those who have kept updating is amazing...and it hasn't even been a year since we started this sheet.

I know! After a year we should tally up the collective increase in NW that would be sweet to see!

Hi racers! I just put all my info in the spreadsheet. Does it automatically reorder the rows or do I have to do something to trigger that?

Nice! Another in the ranks of Pencil Stash. I don't know if you sorted it but it looks like your data is in the right place now.

[Pooperman]

I estimate I'll hit $100k net worth in 12/2016, and $100k invested assets in 1/2017.

[SpareChange]

This. Just looking at the progress made by those who have kept updating is amazing...and it hasn't even been a year since we started this sheet.

I know! After a year we should tally up the collective increase in NW that would be sweet to see!

Agreed!

[johnny847]

This. Just looking at the progress made by those who have kept updating is amazing...and it hasn't even been a year since we started this sheet.

I know! After a year we should tally up the collective increase in NW that would be sweet to see!

Agreed!

Hm....should we start a spreadsheet for this like the cycling challenge? I'd be up for maintaining it.

[queenie]

Is it okay if I jump in and I'm over $10k to start?  I just added up our net worth and we are at $18,206 but I'd love to put some pressure on myself to get to $100k.  Right now I am forecasting reaching $50k at the end of the year.

We were at $5,981 on January 1st, and I'm so excited to see that number grow!!

[misschedda]

I estimate I'll hit $100k net worth in 12/2016, and $100k invested assets in 1/2017.

Pooperman! We're living parallel lives! We both just got engaged and I'm aiming for $100k net worth 12/2016 as well.

[frogger]

Payday today. I did it! I did it! 10,000 NW! I can officially start the race now, LOL!