Hello everyone, this is my (late) July Net Worth update.  It has been a little busy for me this summer so I am a little behind but I have been able to go to some nice places including Lake Michigan!

So to recap, up to mid July, my net worth increased $8883.13.  Most of the gains were due to the stock market.  I am still concentrating most of my savings efforts into my extra savings account and throwing a hundred dollars here and there into my brokerage.  I have come to the conclusion that I really need to add to my Roth this year, 2017, since its earnings are tax free.  I guess I am stubborn about contributing to that account for some reason but I really need to do it.

I would like to accumulate $20,000 in an emergency fund and so far I have saved $7000.00.  In addition to the $20,000 emergency fund I would also like to purchase a car in the $8000 to $10,000 range.  I would like to accomplish these two things within the next year and if my current vehicle is still running I will just keep it and hold onto the money saved until I am forced to buy another.

Of course I will have to keep working in order to accomplish these goals so if I want to do this I will have to take the flu vaccine to keep my job which I do not want to do.  In the meantime I will pray for a miracle and hopefully get out of it.

My dividends have been earning about $525 per month average.   This is great news and I feel happy and content at this point with this amount.  Of course earning more returns would not be unwelcome but since I have drastically decreased contributing to my accounts I understand that growth will be slow but I can’t really complain…

Looming big purchases for my townhouse, such as a new heating system, has also caused me to decrease saving for retirement. 😦   I also make less money than I have in previous years because I cut down my work hours from 40 to 32 hours per week.  I am relieved to have a decreased work schedule and like working four days a week, it prevents burnout.  So I have no intentions to increase my hours and therefore have to accept the decrease in pay and decreased contributions.

Have a great month of August!  I hope to have another update by the end of the month.  Don’t forget the eclipse August 21st!