Sorry it’s nearly a week late.
I’ve been a combination of tired, sick, busy, unmotivated, overworked, and underpaid.
Par for the course in the middle of the winter, I suppose, but now that I’ve run the numbers I’m feeling alright.
January didn’t really “feel” like a positive but somehow it turned out to be.
My 401k didn’t bail me out this time or even an upswing in the value of my home — the big movers were the contributions to my savings account and the extra payments I made on my mortgage — two things that are 100% dependent on me.
That’s pretty reassuring, you know, knowing that it’s still me in the drivers seat and that I’m making sound decisions.
Anyway, here’s the breakdown:
Cash:
I feel like I’m living paycheck-to-paycheck but somehow I managed to keep this about $2000. I think the main reason is that I got paid right at the end of the month — I’m not a fan of when biweekly paychecks land on the calendar this way. I always feel like I’m short on money when the bills come in…
Savings:
And because I felt short on money (and those nasty utility bills caught me by surprise), I had to ease off of my pace here — and even take a bit from savings to cover some of my expenses. In the end, I still ended on a very positive note.
Gov’t Bonds:
Okay, it’s official. I don’t understand government bonds at all. I didn’t earn ANY interest in January. Not one dime. Now I realize that the current rate on some of the bonds is 0% right now but I’ve got a handful that I’ve had for years that have a fixed portion that is, well, it’s not zero. So, yeah, I haven’t got a clue and for all the research I’ve done, well, it still doesn’t make sense.
401k:
Well, it couldn’t last forever, right? I think that this downturn is just the tip of the iceberg — especially after the performance this first week of February.
I’d talked about lowering my contributions — and even stopping them — for 2010 but never made the move. Now, with things falling, it’s even more unlikely for me to change anything.
Home:
Hooray! I just felt like saying that.
Auto 1 & Auto 2:
My daily driver, Auto 1, really needs an oil change. And a belt or something to be tightened. If I don’t warm it up, it squeals like a pig.
The BMW has been sitting in the garage pretty much since Duncan was born. Each year I tell myself that I’ll drive it more but I never seem to.
Hey, at least it’s not losing value and, really, now that it’s over a dozen years old, it can’t be much longer until its value starts to increase. Right? Please?
Credit Cards, Auto Loans, and Other Loans:
Zilch. Zero. Nada.
Mortgage:
I just want this thing paid off. It’s the white elephant in my pile of bills. And, yes, the mortgage is supposed to be the white elephant but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.