A lot happened with my money over the last month. I closed a refinance on my mortgage, I used lots of airline miles, and I bought new individual stocks for the first time in about a year. Here’s how the cookie crumbles.
Banking, Debt, and Investments
This month, I had to move a bit of money around. On January 10, I closed a refinance of my mortgage. I had about 29 years left on my mortgage at 4.25%. I lowered the time to a 15 year fixed and lowered my rate to 2.875%. Over the life of the mortgage, I will save about $50,000 in interest assuming minimum payments. Of course, I don’t only make minimum payments. I plan to pay it off early.
I continued depositing $25 automatically each month into Lending Club account. My net annual returns at Lending Club are 10.76%. I currently have 28 active loans and 1 in funding. I love Lending Club as an alternate investment vehicle.
Liberty Fund Update
I have a $30,000 savings goal for my liberty fund. Saving up $30,000 is not easy, but it is a goal that I know I can attain as long as I keep focused. This month, I was able to keep adding despite my mortgage refinance costs. The current balance is $19,129. The bulk of my liberty fund is in a high interest savings account. I suggest Ally Bank for this type of savings. This is an increase from my$5,000 emergency fund goal.
I am planning on installing hardwood floors in three rooms in my condo, and may need to take about $3,000 out of the liberty fund to pay for it in the next couple of months.
Side Business Income
Narrow Bridge Media – All Blogs and Online Activities
Revenue
- Private Ad Placements and Freelance Work – $255
- AdSense – $31
- Affiliate Payments – $333
Expenses
- Freelance Writers – $0
- Web Expenses – $350
Decent month, but not spectacular. The big expense was for a new website theme framework I am trying out.
Denver Flash Mob
- Revenue – $150
- Expenses – $0
The completely rebuilt the Denver Flash Mob website is sending me more business leads, but I don’t always have the ability to meet the requests. I have a mob in the works for April.
DJ Yofi
- Revenue – $0
I did one show on New Years Eve for Denver Underground Parties (see below).
Denver Underground Parties
I started a new project with two friends called Denver Underground Parties. We had our first successful event on New Year’s Eve, and it was a profitable party. We have not paid ourselves from the earnings yet, so I will hold off on sharing the profits.
Net Worth
In total, my net worth was up $4,200, or 2.69%. I update my condo value from Zillow and update my car value based on Kelley Blue Book annually in January. I pay off my credit cards in full each payday.
Eric
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