November 2006 Networth

I was not looking forward to compiling our networth stats this month because I knew they were going to be bad.  This is the first time we've had a somewhat indulgent month since tracking our networth, so now I can see how much of an effect they have and how far they can set you back.  While I don't regret doing the car maintenance (it was definitely needed) and I don't regret upgrading my computer (I use the thing all day long, so I want it how I like it), I do see how much of an impact it has in terms of backward steps in our progress.

In terms of assets, it was a pretty normal month.  The checking account is down some, but mostly because we've been doing some Christmas shopping and what not.  Our reserve savings account didn't increase much since I actually dipped into it the beginning of the month and haven't transferred back into it.  I had made a nice $500 payment to my Dell account, but was a little over zealous.  It is due just before my mid-month paycheck, and that is always our tightest time.  Then my wife went out to Target and did a big shopping trip (mostly things we needed, but wasn't expecting it), so I had to transfer in $200 to keep us from bouncing.  It is definitely nice to actually have a reserve savings account now.  Previously, we rarely had any savings.

The credit cards are definitely where we got hit this month.  With $1,800 on computer upgrades and $1,400 in car maintenance, that right there says most of it.  As I'd said, I don't regret it, but I do feel the impact.  Out credit card debt is now beyond our high mark from over the past 8 months I've calculcated networth stats.  Previously, our high was $17,900 in April.  Now, we've blown that away at $19,780.  We'd finally started making some good process since my wife got her new job, and then now we are beyond where we started.  Overall, our total debt is lower than it was in April, but that is just cherry coating it... credit card balances are still a dozen steps back.

As you can see from the table and graph, we were set back to nearly $5,800 from the $0 even networth point.  Really want to reach that point... hopefully someday soon.

Though what's done is done, and no going back.  The expensive stuff is over with, and outlook is getting brighter.  November was a bad month, but December should be better.  I have stuff to liquidate on Ebay, although that cash gained will most likely be offset by our need to keep money for a deposit on our new rental, and by some our remaining Christmas shopping.  We've set a strict Christmas budget and so far, we've been sticking to it.  Once we get to January, can hopefully start some positive movement.  First of the year is always when I feel best about paying stuff off.  The holiday season will have passed and it is back to our normal monthly budget.