Archives for Weekly update category
25
Jun
Posted in Weekly update by Roger, the Amateur Financier |
Well, it’s official. By the time you read this, I will be heading off to my last day of work at my current temp job. It was fun, while it lasted, but with the swine flu epidemic in the past, there’s just not enough need for me at Sharp. I like the people, I like the location, I even got into the work that I was doing, but alas, what is done is done, and hopefully, I can find something soon.
But not all my news is bad news; two weeks from now, I’m going to be moving out to the western side of Pennsylvania in order to live with my fiancée. It should be wonderful, although I’m a bit nervous about how well it will go. I just wish I had a decent job waiting for me out there; it’s going to be especially rough, going back to being unemployed. Still, it does give me more flexibility, which is also a good thing. And I’m optimistic that I can get something out there (or who knows, perhaps I can turn this blog into a full time gig).
So, enough about me; what do you think about me? Just kidding, now it’s time to peek in on some of the other great bloggers I follow:
Cash for Clunkers: Is it Worth It? – My good friend My Life ROI discusses the government’s new Cash for Clunkers program. It seems like an interesting idea, and if you are planning to get a new car anyway, it’s certainly worth considering. As he notes, though, it’s only really valuable if your car is worth less than the voucher (either $3500 or $4500, depending on the gas mileage of the older car); otherwise, you should just sell your old car and put the proceeds toward the new one.
Beach Reading on Personal Finance - Mr. Tough Money Love shares a few of his summertime reading suggestions. I especially support his recommendation of Dave Barry’s Money Secrets
; it’s an absolutely hilarious book, and if you have the opportunity, you really should read it. (It especially seems funny after lots of personal finance reading; Mr. Barry has the number of most financial gurus.)
12 Common IRA Mistakes to Avoid – Jeff Rose of GoodFinancialCents notes several mistakes that people frequently make when it comes to IRAs. Most are pretty commonly mentioned, but Jeff raises some thoughts I never would have considered, including inheritance and trust issues of which I had never heard.
The Problem With Target Date Funds – Frank Curmudgeon of Bad Money Advice makes some interesting points concerning target-date funds, particularly as a default 401(k) investment. He raises some good points, but seems to put too much blame on the government for first allowing target date funds as a default investment, then attempting to correct some of the problems that resulted with the recent downturn. I think the government is just doing what it’s supposed to do, trying to respond to its citizens, and I hope a good compromise will be reached that improves retirement for the average person.
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23
May
Posted in Weekly update by Roger, the Amateur Financier |
Well, I’m back at home, and that means that it’s time to go through my finances and see where I stand. I’m a bit nervous to see how my accounts stack up after spending a week out in California, spoiling my girlfriend (and at times, her sisters as well) and paying a premium on gas. (To say nothing of the numerous tiny heart attacks I had driving on the California freeways; the higher insurance premiums when I get older aren’t going to be pretty.)
It was a fantastic trip, though, and I wouldn’t change the experience for the world. Plus, it seems that the economy had something of a good few weeks while I was indisposed, so my net worth didn’t take quite the hit I feared it might while I was away. Here, as always, is a summary of my finances:
A lot of changes with this one, although you wouldn’t know it from looking at my net worth change. The increase in my investment values masked all the money I spent on the trip, leading to an increase in my overall net worth. Hopefully, with my new job and a broader economic recovery (which I hope is here, but would not bet on), my net worth will only increase in the near future.
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2
May
Posted in milestones, Weekly update by Roger, the Amateur Financier |
Hello and welcome! This post is going to be rather special. First of all, it’s actually my one-hundredth post! Slowly, steadily, and surely, I’ve been building up my little blog. It’s been a fun trip so far, and I thank you all for reading and following along with my blog.
Next, I’m currently in between jobs; my position as an organic chemistry tutor ended yesterday (in fact, if you’re reading this between 1 and 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on May 2nd, the students will be in the midst of taking their final). I’ve got an arrangement to run the organic chemistry lab during the summer, but that does not start until June 8th, so I’ve got more than a month of time off. Which actually works out pretty well for me, because…
I am going to visit my fiancée’s extended family over the next few weeks. I’ll be leaving on Thursday, and not returning until two weeks from now. This means, no Weekly Updates for a few weeks (although, I’m doing everything I can to make sure the other posts continue on schedule). It should be enjoyable , although meeting my future wife’s family will likely prove to trying, as well.
It’s going to be a busy (but fun and enjoyable) few weeks. Now, let’s get down to business, and take a look at my finances before I have to start packing:
A good week on Wall Street and minimal new spending (since I’ve already paid for many of the trip expenses), means that I saw a sizable increase in my net worth this week. My finances probably won’t be quite so rosy next time I can update my net worth, but for now, I’m doing pretty well.
Thanks again, everyone, for reading and following my blog!
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25
Apr
Posted in Weekly update by Roger, the Amateur Financier |
Ah, it’s a wonderful time of the year. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the grass is turning green, and college students are preparing for finals. And, as a supplemental instructor, I am helping the organic chemistry students at my old school to learn and prepare for their test.
I always find it interesting, seeing just how far the students can come in a semester. Chemistry that was giving them trouble when I started up my sessions in January is now second nature to them, although I wonder how many of them even stopped to realize it. Of course, they have also managed to forget much of the material from fall that they haven’t used lately, so I suppose they’ll have some use for me yet.
Of course, out in the real world, there are no final exams or mid terms. Instead, you have to keep monitoring your progress through life as you go and keep track of how you are doing. With that in mind (and my awkward segue over), let us see where my finances are this week:
My net worth took a pretty heavy blow this week. This doesn’t surprise me; on top of my usual expenditures, I also booked a flight, hotel room, and rental car for a trip out to California to visit my girlfriend’s extended family. It’ll be nice to see her family and have a relaxing time out in the sun, but it does hurt my finances, at least for the time being.
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