Spring is in full swing, and the house projects are heating up. Here are a few random notes of what’s going on with me.
Record High
To say that the run in the markets is unprecedented is an understatement. It is April, and I have set yet another record high with my portfolio. $800,000 is within striking distance. I haven’t made any changes lately. I’m funding a ROTH to max, funding a 401(k), a taxable account, and a cash account. In all, I am currently saving around 22% of my gross income.
Who knows where the markets will go next? It could go higher, or it might correct. It doesn’t matter much to me since I have been regularly saving and investing for years. There have been many ups and downs over the years, but I’ve always come out ahead. Let that be a lesson. Just keep saving and investing. Ignore the daily headlines and stick to a plan. You will win in the end.
Yardwork
This Spring has brought more than a record high portfolio. It has also brought a long list of projects. Being a homeowner means that things will need repaired, maintained, and replaced. I’ve gotten a jump on a few things so far.
I just finished cleaning out my landscape beds and spreading mulch. This could be an expensive endeavor, but I got a discount on the mulch for buying in bulk, and I did the work myself. A little sweat equity goes a long way. Incidentally, I found a nice little site – www.frugalgardening.com, which has some good thoughts on DIY mulching and landscaping.
I do most of my own projects whether it be construction, yardwork, and car maintenance. Some things I’ve learned how to do from others, and some others are self-taught. The point is that you don’t have to be an expert craftsman but knowing how to do a few basic things can save you a ton of money over time. Here is a good place to learn how to do projects around the house and save some money in the process.
Still on the Spring worklist are fixing the trim on the garage, repairing the pool, repainting the garage doors, staining the deck, and planting the garden. I’m just doing one job at a time so that I don’t get overwhelmed.
In Closing
April has been a good month. My portfolio is brimming at a record high level, I have no debt aside from my mortgage, and I have been getting a jump on some projects around the house. How is your Spring shaping up so far? Share below.
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Based in the Pittsburgh, PA area, Brian holds full-time employment as a Warehouse Manager for an electronics firm. Brian enjoys wealth building, investing, gardening and the great outdoors. Brian holds a B.A. in Environmental Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA from Robert Morris University.
