Portfolio up nearly 30% YTD

[disneysteve]

I just did a thorough update on the financial spreadsheet I maintain. This is not a full net worth statement because it includes only financial assets: bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. It does not include our home equity, cars or other personal belongings. Just the financial accounts.

Anyway, since 12/31/08, we are up 29.58%. That is a combination of investment growth, new money added to savings and debt reduction (mortgage only). That's actually a bigger gain that I would have predicted. I guess the surge in the stock market and the lack of any major expenses this year has really helped out. We're still not back to where we were a couple of years ago, but we are a whole lot closer than we were in December.

[buildmybudget]

Congratulations! Everyone could use a little positive news as motivation to stick with it through these tough times. =)

[minnie1928]

I know the feeling. Our stocks/401ks are going back up too. I also started playing the stock market last year. I invested $250-$300 each in 4 stocks, so far the gains are 36.73%, 37.51%, and 109.62%. The one that is a loss is down 50%. My portfolio average is about 35.27%. It's much better than the rate on my savings account!

[happygirl]

Great job! I hope to be saying something similar by this time next year. I'm just so glad to be making enough progress that I'm ready to get serious about investing/retirement.

I've learned so much on this site and I'm sure I'll keep asking lots of questions.

[kanjoh]

That is an excellent overall return - definitely better than the returns from the broader market. Keep it up!

[scfr]

Well, as disneysteve took care to point out, it includes not only ROI but also new contributions and debt paydown.

So yes, it is very, very commendable. It shows how saving and paying off debt can pay off big time, and I applaud his efforts too.

But it doesn't mean he's necessarily beating the market with his investments.