Sparknotes Summary: Pretty smooth sailing, all told. Positively, our essential expenses are stabilizing further, making it even easier to budget in the future.
Here’s the state of my finances – 07/2015.
Net Worth
- Taxable portfolios (includes cash in money market accounts): $71,764.63
- Tax-deferred portfolios (my IRA; includes cash in money market accounts): $41,090.13
- 401(k) (includes employer match): $26,099.58
- Hard assets/commodities: $2,968.00
- Listed at purchase price, not appraised value
- Cash and cash equivalents: $3,364.34
- Debt: – $1,174.89
Total Net Worth: $144,111.79
This is a 0.10% increase from the last time I calculated my net worth, which was $143,965.22 at the end of June 2015.
Our Costa Rica fund total: $1,000.00
Income/Expenses
- Rent: $975.00
- Bills: $755.90
- Gas: $123.00
- Groceries: $341.28
- Medical expenses: $842.06
- Household essentials: $61.28
- Discretionary expenses: $514.43
- July 4th: $153.18
- Food: $200.29
- Everything else: $160.96
- Total budget: $3,600.00
- Total expenses: $3,596.25
- Result: Success!
I saved 30.20% of my income this month.
Dividend Income:
- 07/01/2015, BAX – $22.32 + $29.44 cash in lieu of BXLT fractional shares
- 07/01/2015, KO – $41.12
- 07/01/2015, GPC – $0.62
- 07/02/2015, KMB – $47.75
- 07/10/2015, PM – $103.70
- 07/15/2015, STAG – $0.11
- 07/15/2015, CRC – $0.33
- 07/15/2015, OXY – $64.89
- 07/15/2015, O – $24.21
- 07/29/2015, DIS – $5.94
- 07/31/2015, JPM – $35.41
- Extra ETF income: $8.42
This month, I earned $354.82 in dividend income. My yearly total of dividend income is now $1,990.85.
- Percentage of personal expenses covered: 9.87%
- What can I purchase/pay for this month? All our groceries.
Thoughts:
For net worth: I know, I have debt now 
I will say it’s minor and will be paid off with my next paycheck. Basically had to prepay some expenses a bit earlier than we expected, but we knew they were coming. Just a blip in the grand scheme of things, but annoying regardless. On the positive side, all of my investment accounts increased in value!
For income/expenses: Wow, we did it! $3.75 under budget, so we estimated it perfectly! Got kind of lucky that I got reimbursed for some costs at the end of the month, which I was kind of expecting. Otherwise, we would have been slightly over. Either way, we’re both really happy with how we did. Here’s to keeping it up next month!
Our next budget amount is $3,600.00. This is composed of ~$2,000.00 in essential living expenses, like rent, food, and various bills. We also have our monthly do-whatever-the-heck-we-want fund of ~$200.00. Finally, we will have expected bills/purchases of ~$1,000.00. We have some pretty cool plans and vacations planned over the next few months, so stay tuned on those!
How’d July go for you?
Disclosure: Long all listed above, except BAX and BXLT. My Financial Stats archive page has been updated accordingly.
12 Comments
Way to go! A $700 car repair needed to pass an emissions test threw a wrench in my July.
On the positive side, learned I could use the Personal Hot Spot setting on my phone to provide the internet access I need. No more cable internet in the future for me? Possibly.
Keep at it!
Simply Safe Dividends
Ah, that bites. But tethering is awesome; glad it’s working for you!
Congrats on another successful month! Being under budget, even if it is just $4, is a major victory. You also had really impressive dividend income for July. Keep it up!
Ken
Dividend Empire recently posted…Stock Purchase: Disney (DIS)
Thanks, Ken!
Not a huge increase but an increase nevertheless. With the market a bit sensitive these days, I think most would agree that seeing an increase on one’s net worth is certainly better than a decrease.
I also see you have a Costa Rica fund. Awesome place! I was lucky enough to have visited twice before kids. Can’t wait to go back and take my kids and wife one day. Good luck reaching your goal! AFFJ
A Frugal Family’s Journey recently posted…Stocks Added to Collection of Stock Analyses – August 2015
Thanks!
DD,
Solid numbers across the board. Moving in the right direction, bud. Keep at it!!
Best regards.
Dividend Mantra recently posted…Income/Expenses For July 2015
I’m happy with it. Thanks for stopping by!
Just discovered your blog. I recently started my dividend journey as well. I truly hope it pays off. Good luck with everything.
Thanks, and good luck to you!
DDeveloper,
Great overall – nice dividend income, great accounts for investments and an increase to net worth – all good it looks like! And hey – congrats on beating the budget, has to be a great feeling : )
-Lanny
Dividend Diplomats recently posted…Dividend Diplomats August Watch List
It very much is
Thanks for stopping by!