The Amateur Financier

Another month, another collection of bills, investment statements, and other pieces of financial information to go through.  Of course, since this month happens to be tax month, there’s also numerous earning statements, W-2s, and 1099 forms to go through and organize.  I managed to finish my taxes late Saturday night (a wild time, I’ll have you know), so as of Monday, my taxes for 2009 will be complete.  (I never felt like getting my taxes done by the beginning of April was cutting it close before I started following personal finance blogs and reading tips to complete your taxes being posted in February; now, I feel like a slacker.)

My fiancee Sondra and I have also just returned from a trip to Philadelphia and visiting with my extended family, so I’ve got stories galore just waiting to be shared.  (Consider that a tease for tomorrow.)  First, though, it’s been a month since I shared my updated net worth, so let’s get right to the main event:

As is often the case, the results are sort of mixed.  My investments are up across the board, a reflection of the generally good economic conditions as of late.  My savings are up, as well, although my debts are up even higher (in no small part due to expenses related to the aforementioned trip), making my Available Funds a net loss for the month.  The rest of April is going to have to be a big month for cutting down my spending and possibly increasing my alternative income streams.

I get to finish on a high note, at least; my Alexa Ranking has decreased by more than 50% in this past month; if I can keep up this kind of growth, I’ll zoom right past the 200,000 mark and have a good chance to reach 100,000 (or perhaps even 50,000) by the July 4th deadline.  It just goes to show what a little hard work can accomplish.

• Do You Know Your Net Worth?
• My 2008 Goals
• October 2011 Net Worth Update
• New Complete Guide to Landscaping: Design, Plant, Build by Better Homes and Gardens
• Quarterly Investment and Net Worth Review