September 2008 Net Worth Update (+0.34%)
Welcome to the recurring monthly net worth update – The September 2008 edition.
Seems that lately having the word “frugal” in my handle is hypocritical. As one of my regular readers puts it, I’ve been “spendy”. This month, it started with the new HD TV along with cables, then of course we had to get a new TV stand, and most recently, a food processor for the little one. Of course each of the items were purchased at a great price, but still a substantial amount of cash. As we typically like to buy for the long term, we’re hoping that the excessive spending will come to an end soon.
Onto the markets, let me start by saying that when the markets run in the downward direction, it’s usually a bad time to sell. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s healthy for the markets to correct before it resumes it’s long term move upwards. Personally, I consider bear markets to be a great opportunity to purchase your favorite companies on sale. Speaking of which, I will have a post about Benjamin Graham stock picking strategies coming up soon.
Enough rambling, here are the numbers for the month of September.
Assets: $592,950 (-0.02%)
- Cash: $4,500 (+0.00%)
- Savings: $31,500 (+12.50%)
- Registered/Retirement Investment Account: $52,700 (-4.70%)
- Pension: $22,350 (+0.00%)
- Non-Registered Investment Account: $18,000 (-2.17%)
- Smith Manoeuvre Investment Account: $50,400 (-1.18%)
- Investment Property: $ 124,500 (+0.00%)
- Principal Residence: $275,000 (+0.00%) (purchase price)
- Vehicles: $14,000 (2 vehicles) (+0.00%)
Liabilities: $275,732 (-0.43%)
- Investment Property Mortgage: $92,700 (-0.22%)
- Principal Residence Mortgage (readvanceable): $124,050 (-0.95%)
- HELOC balance: $50,982 (+0.40%)
- Other Liabilities: $8,000 (-0.00%)
Total Net Worth: ~$317,218 (+0.34%)
Started 2008 with Net Worth: $279,300
Year to Date Gain/Loss: +13.58%
Looking over the numbers, even with the increased spending, we have managed to increase our savings amounts. That, however, is probably our net worth saviour as my portfolios have been taking a beating over the past couple months. With only a few months remaining in 2008, it seems that meeting my net worth goal may be a challenge. Not unless of course, we get the unlikely event of a sudden market turn around from bear to bull market.
Some quick notes and explanations to net worth questions I get often:
The Cash
The $4,500 cash are held in chequing accounts to meet the minimum balance so that we pay no fees. Yes, we do hold no fee accounts also, but I find value in having an account with a full service bank as the relationship with a banker can prove useful.
Savings
Our savings accounts are all held with PC Financial. We hold a fair bit of cash due to a cash liability coming in the near future along with the fact that we typically have some cash on hand in case “something” comes up. The “something” can be anything that requires cash such as an investment opportunity that requires quick cash or maybe an emergency car/home repair.
Real Estate
Our real estate holdings consist of a primary residence plus a rental property. The value of the principal residence remains valued at the purchase price despite significant appreciation in the real estate market that we’re in. The rental property value was it’s appraised value in 2006. I’m considering raising the reported values of the homes at the rate of inflation starting January 2009.
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You seem to be doing well in the stockmarket despite the volatility and the general downward trend I look forward to your post on Benjamin Graham, now that Warren Buffett has started buying it could be a sign that the end is nigh !
We have the same financial freedom goal. I’m quite near with my goal of earning my first million but it’s in Philippine Peso. Hopefully, I can also reach the US $1Million mark someday in the future. Check out my blog too ;)
Wow investments are only down 2-5%. For Sept I’m down 8% :( – mostly in equities unfortunately. A few banks and gold stocks are up for me, but everything else is red.
FT,
Has your non-registered portfolio produced any dividends to apply to your SM yet?
I’ve almost completed crafting my portfolio (there is still 1 or 2 stocks I’d like to pick up) and my yield on my original investment is 4.44% without any income trusts.
Hi Cannon, yes, I have had some dividends produced thus far, but I have yet to withdraw them. I may withdraw them on a semi-annual, or annual basis.
FT – Your savings were up 12.5% and your cash did not move. Where did you pay your TV etc. from?
Hi MultifolDream$, I typically use the Canadian black book to evaluate the values of the cars.
FT, Do you have amortization plan for your cars?
I reduce my car’s value monthly by a small amount so that in several years it will cost close to 0
@FT – What percentage of your investment is in U.S. market versus Canadian market?
Hi Pinyo,
Approximately 10% of my portfolio is invested in the U.S. I would say that proportion will increase in the near future.
Hey FT, you gotta spend some of it :)
If you’ve making your saving goals for the years, you get no flack for the rest.
FT,
Actually I think that presenting the portfolio values as of Friday is consistent with what you have reported in the past. As for the savings – if you could postpone that future liability or decrease the amounts of it, you could take full advantage of the bear market declines. It’s always good to find bargains..