2021 Quarterly check in

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I believe i am down a lot!

[rennigade]

Whoa...just checked again. on 4/1, I was up $41k for the year. 17 days later, up $80k...so a $39k increase in 17 days.

Wife and I just added up our totals, we're at $1,498,328. We'll see what the rest of the year brings.

[srblanco7]

Has anyone checked their numbers in the past day or two? I don't usually update that often but I've been doing some work on our portfolio and tweaking my spreadsheet so I've got up to date figures.

Wow! On 4/3, I reported that YTD we were up about $96,000. Today, just 13 days later, we're now up $141,000 for the year. That's insane. $45,000 gained in 13 days. It really makes you wonder how much higher it can go before things start turning the other way. I'm not a market timer by any means but it's hard not to get a little nervous when things are shooting up so rapidly.

I review my numbers weekly (mild OCD perhaps). We hit our "number" on March 27 and since then are up an additional $190k. Not that I'll take any action with our investments, but wondering about the outcome of market drivers such as an economy that seems ready to boom and the likelihood that inflationary pressures may drive higher interest rates. It's always a fun ride!

[disneysteve]

Has anyone checked their numbers in the past day or two? I don't usually update that often but I've been doing some work on our portfolio and tweaking my spreadsheet so I've got up to date figures.

Wow! On 4/3, I reported that YTD we were up about $96,000. Today, just 13 days later, we're now up $141,000 for the year. That's insane. $45,000 gained in 13 days. It really makes you wonder how much higher it can go before things start turning the other way. I'm not a market timer by any means but it's hard not to get a little nervous when things are shooting up so rapidly.

[terri77]

I updated my blog. Up $64,242 of which $6,000 was contributions, so gains were $58,242 for Q1. And yes, it’s way more than I am earning in that time frame.

[disneysteve]

Last couple of years I got this type of growth over a year and thought it was crazy. Now I got it in a quarter. This is getting to be unbelievable money growth now.

Agreed. In both 2019 and 2020, our portfolio grew by more than my gross annual income. If the current trend continues (which I fully realize is not assured), the same would be true for 2021.

[bennkar]

Year to date my investments are up $135,000, although that includes $18,500 of contributions. Holy moly, that is more than my yearly gross income, not even mentioning it is multiples of my normal take home after taxes, investment contributions, insurance, etc.... Percentage-wise its about a 9% growth.

Last couple of years I got this type of growth over a year and thought it was crazy. Now I got it in a quarter. This is getting to be unbelievable money growth now.

[disneysteve]

I didn't update our numbers last night so I don't have an exact figure but I think we're up 70-75K YTD. I'm good with that. Let's hope it continues.

I just updated my spreadsheet. It is April 3 but the market was closed yesterday so this just includes April 1, one day more than the quarter.

I was way off in a good way. YTD our portfolio is up $95,938.15! I'm quite shocked by that number.

[srblanco7]

That's great. Do you actually have an end date in place?

One question obviously becomes that just because you're at "the number" today, doesn't mean you'll still be there in a week or a month if the market takes a downward turn. If prices drop 5 or 10 or 20%, that could be a problem unless your number already accounts for that possibility.

If you'd have asked me last weekend, I'd have told you I was done and putting in notice (3 months required). Recognizing it has been and will be a particularly stressful next few weeks, I've deferred any dialogue on the topic until at least mid-April. With a bit of perspective, I could see transition to reduced hours next year (say 32 hrs/week) with Friday as a non-work day and then exiting in early 2023.

On a professional level, this gives me time to ensure a smooth transition of the leadership roles that I have and ensure (to the extent I'm able) a smooth transition for my 200 person team. On a personal level, early 2023 would be the year in which I turn 55, which would allow me to access a my 401k funds (in lieu of using SEPP).

Certainly recognize that a market drop is inevitable and we're using this time to also build up a cash cushion. All that being said, what I laid out is likely the longest time at work scenario and I'm wavering on giving up time for money.

[disneysteve]

And with the recent run-up we've hit our "walk-away" number, so I'm wrapping my brain around that as well.

That's great. Do you actually have an end date in place?

One question obviously becomes that just because you're at "the number" today, doesn't mean you'll still be there in a week or a month if the market takes a downward turn. If prices drop 5 or 10 or 20%, that could be a problem unless your number already accounts for that possibility.

[srblanco7]

I'll join in for kicks... YTD, I've had ~5.5% gains on my investments... around $50k up, not counting my contributions.
I think the bigger deal (or at least more eye-popping) is our 12 month returns -- ranging between 46% (DW's target-date IRA) to a whopping 83.2% (my brokerage), averaging at 56%.... !!!!!! Of course, 1 year ago was still deep in the throws of the COVID market collapse, when I scooped up all the shares that I could. But still, those numbers...wow...mind boggling.

With yesterday's market run-up, we're up roughly 6% YTD. As Kork notes, the 12 month returns (I have March 21, 2020 tagged as roughly a low point for our retirement accounts) are mind-boggling. And with the recent run-up we've hit our "walk-away" number, so I'm wrapping my brain around that as well. Going to ruminate on it for a few weeks since my annual incentive comp will be paid on April 15 and then have a discussion with my colleagues about winding down.

[kork13]

I'll join in for kicks... YTD, I've had ~5.5% gains on my investments... around $50k up, not counting my contributions.
I think the bigger deal (or at least more eye-popping) is our 12 month returns -- ranging between 46% (DW's target-date IRA) to a whopping 83.2% (my brokerage), averaging at 56%.... !!!!!! Of course, 1 year ago was still deep in the throws of the COVID market collapse, when I scooped up all the shares that I could. But still, those numbers...wow...mind boggling.

[TexasHusker]

I turned a $122K profit on a real estate deal over about 50 days, and have realized about $60K in vacation rental income through Q1. My franchises are approaching pre-pandemic levels.

No stock market gains to report. I’m not in it.

[rennigade]

Up $185k for the year. $52k for the month.

Let the good times roll!

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Up $185k for the year. $52k for the month.