Keeping a track of where I’m at now since I have a strong feeling things are going to improve from here on out. For the first time in years my net worth at the end of the year is actually lower than it was at the start of the year. Jan 4, 2022 I was at $196k, now I’m at $173k.

I originally thought I would land somewhere around $200k for the year but that didn’t happen. I bought: a new 2023 Acura Integra, a $1500 5K Apple Studio Display, a new iPhone 14 Pro, 3 roundtrips – Boston, NY, and Orlando, lots of food deliveries, groceries, dining and drinking experiences, Janet Jackson tickets for next year, Lizzo tickets, a Christmas gift for mom, a wardrobe refresh, Sirius XM 12 month, Apple Watch Ultra, CarPlay for my old car, and lots of other big ticket items I can’t really remember right now. So yeah lavish spending.

It was also a time of unprecended declines in the market. As of 12/29/22, my FSKAX % total gain/loss was 12.38% so technically I’m still up but in for the year my holdings were down 19.51%. If things stayed flat, my portfolio value would be closer to $206k. I paid the most I have ever paid in my career in taxes $22k+, then $26k combined between health insurance, HSA / 401k contributions. $48k going out from my gross pay is a pretty largre amount.

	1/2/2023	12/1/2022	Difference	% Change
401k	155,964	163,717	-7,753	-4.7%
Roth IRA	23.403	24,336	-433	-3.8%
M1 Acct	446	200	-246	+123%
Cash Accts	7,002	8,636	-1,634	-18.9%
HSA	3,100	3,088	+12	+.4%
Total	189,915	199,977	-10,562	-5.0%
Credit Cards	0	0	–	N/A
Auto Loan	16,909	18,834	-1,925	-10.2%
Net Total	173,006	181,143	-8,137	-4.5%

With the new year, I jacked up my 401k contributions again and just made my first Roth contribution for 2023. The contribution limits for both have increase and I felt like starting off strong out of the gate. Am I excited about the new year? Heck yeah. I choose to think of the glass as half full rather than half empty.

Last year’s promotion and bonus really helped me gain traction last year. This year I would love to further develop my career. I proactively applied to a role that I think I would be the perfect fit for me in terms of my overall development. It’s not just about money but if I can do a similar amount of work and get paid 30-40% more in the process it seems like a no-brainer. I can be my biggest cheerleader or my own worse sabateur. I want to thrive in any environment through my intellect and skills. I’ll be 40 this year, there is no time like the present. 😀