The Money Blog Network members are participating in a group writing project called "Then and Now." The idea is to compare our personal finances today with how they were ten years ago. Of course, the idea is to show what progress we have or haven't made in the last decade. Here's what's happened to me.
As most of you know, I track everything by looking at my net worth. I feel that it encapsulates how I've done financially -- how I've saved, how I've grown my career, salary, and side businesses, how I've invested, etc. -- all in one number. That said, here's what I can tell you about my net worth over the past 10 years:
- In the past 10 years, my net worth has gone up 340%. For those of you wondering, that's an average compounded rate of 17.9%. This includes both savings from my income (of course) as well as growth of assets that I've invested in during those years.
- 10 years ago, I owned my house outright, and it was 66 percent of my total net worth. I still own my house completely, but it's less than 15% of my net worth.
Yes, it's been a good 10 years. I'm REALLY looking forward to the next 10 years. ;-)
So how did I make so much progress in a decade? All it took was three easy steps.
Here are some more posts from other MBN members on the same topic:
10 years ago I was 25, married with a 3-year old. I had stock/mutual funds/retirement accounts valued at $39,000 - now those accounts are at $1.1 million. My salary was $48,000 in 1998 and in 2007 it was $232,000. It has been a very good 10 years.
Posted by: DreamChaser | May 22, 2008 at 07:34 AM
In 1998 I was 25, married with a 3-year old. My salary was 48,000, in 2007 it was 232,000. My investments (stocks, mutual funds, retirement) in 1998 were valued at $39,405. They are currently just under $1.1 million.
Posted by: DreamChaser | May 22, 2008 at 08:22 AM
You make it sound so simple. However, I am much better off than I was 10 years ago. I was renting a house and in a temporary job. I now own (with my bank!) a house and have a husband who earns enough to keep the family. I am earning myself and all of my money pays extra money off the debts. I feel that I am far more financially savvy and although I have a mortgage hanging over my head, I have no other debt and have a goal to pay my mortgage off quickly. Also I am very happy and secure.
Posted by: Rachel @ Master Your Card | May 22, 2008 at 08:47 AM
10 years ago I graduated college this month and also purchased my first home. The next month I got married and for the next 5 years managed to get into trouble with credit cards until finally saying it was enough, selling my second house, getting a divorce and moving to a cheaper apartment.
10 years later we're completely debt free except our mortgage, our net worth will probably hit six figures this year or definitely next year and I'm making a good salary that allows my wife to only work part-time and stay home with our little guy 2 days a week. I'm in line to be partner at my firm and we're beginning the process of searching for our next home that we'll hopefully be in for 15-20 years.
We are truly blessed.
Posted by: Kevin | May 22, 2008 at 09:14 AM
10 years ago my wife and I were a few years out of college and in the process of buying our first home but struggling to come up with the 10% down payment of $25,000. We ended up borrowing $10,000 from our parents to close the deal but it left us with less than $5,000 in our savings account. 10 years, 3 houses, and 2 job relocations later our net worth has gone up to just a bit under a million. It was a really good time to be buying and selling a lot of houses.
Posted by: MonkeyMonk | May 22, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Congrats, you're almost up to $1 Million! Based on my calculations you're right around $966k, which is not too bad!
10 years ago I was 21, still in college with about $20k in credit card debt and not much else. My then fiancee, now wife just started college and had 4 years to go. Now our net worth is right around $220k, 45% of it is in 401(k) funds, 11% in our house, 25% in stocks the rest of it is in short term savings and personal belongings.
We have two beautiful kids, a nice home, no consumer debt other than our mortgage and life is pretty great. I hope to have the next 10 years just as good if not better than the last!
Posted by: gtFMF | May 22, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Hah... 10 years ago I was in highschool, and had no real assets of my own. Of course, I had no debt, either, so my net worth was significantly higher (it's currently negative due to student loans and some stupid money management in college).
10 years from now, I'd better have a positive net worth of (at least) five figures; by then, the only debt I should still have is my mortgage. Of course, I'll also have a nine-year old child, so who knows what else will happen...
Posted by: Anitra | May 22, 2008 at 11:54 AM
It's not always linear. The first 5 years out of grad school got me nice raises and bonuses, but the last five have been rather dismal. I work at the world's largest computer/printer company and the rewards side has been flat as the corporation has gone through a lot of changes (and still is).
Overall I'd say we've done well, but inflation, job insecurity, and kids hitting adolescence has made things become tough for a family living on one income. The good: paid off $50K in student loans, have about $225K in retirement accounts, about $200K equity in our house, about $30K in savings/investments. The bad: paydays seem far apart, constant threat of layoffs in a college town with no other major employers, and we're at that point where you really want your kids to have stability and security in their familiar surroundings...
Posted by: Craig | May 22, 2008 at 12:02 PM
10 Years ago, I was in College with 0 net worth. I have since then increased my net worth, however, I am always looking for ways to increase it even further along then what it is now.
Posted by: Financial Goal | May 22, 2008 at 01:04 PM
I'd have to say that my net worth over the last 10 years has seen an infinity percent return since I was worth nothing, actually negative. I was single and just out of college and about to go to grad school.
Posted by: Ryan S. | May 22, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Craig: You don't happen to live here in Corvallis do you? :-)
Posted by: Thomas | May 22, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Craig: I was going to guess Fort Collins.
10 years ago. A little over one year out of high school and just out of basic training. $2k in CD somewhere.
Now: Just out of college $16k in a roth. $11k school debt and $8k owed on a truck. No job as of yet but I am optimistic.
Posted by: Dino | May 22, 2008 at 02:17 PM
Hi Dino,
Good luck with the job search. Congrats on already having a Roth, I wish I had started one that early. What worked for me is topping out the 401k's after I started working, changing my first few jobs relatively often let me close each of them out (& Roth'ing the balances), therefore pouring money (~$15k/yr) into my Roth pretty quickly. Just my two cents.
Posted by: Thomas | May 22, 2008 at 03:18 PM
10 years ago I had just finished my first year working out of college, and was interviewing for job 2 because job 1 payed so little. I got the new job and a 57% raise and promptly bought a 4-year old semi-luxury car that was worth the value of the raise. Dumb? Maybe. But I still have the car, which is very reliable. I couldn't have told you my net worth at the time if my life depended on it. I did at least put some money in my 401k.
2 years thereafter is the last point I can track- I sold almost everything that didn't fit in my car, parked the car at my parents' house, and moved to Europe for a 6-month low-pay work assignment. I went overseas with $5000 to my name, and $400/month in salary. I came home with about $1000 left.
If I make a reverse-engineered guess, I was probably at a net worth of -$24,000 when I returned stateside in mid-2000.
Today, I'm married and our net worth is just shy of $50,000. Considering we both spent 2 years in grad school in the last 8 years, we're making progress, though not as fast as I'd like.
Posted by: Anonymous | May 22, 2008 at 05:06 PM
10 years ago i was in College and matters were very worse financially as my father was not working and only my elder sister was the bread winner. But after 10 yrs i have a good job. Changed 2 jobs, 2 job relocations and have a house and some savings. Now, i'm looking forward to get married to a financial savvy so that we can grow our net worth together. For Sure this 10 yrs journey was amazing and was a roller coaster ride.
By the end of the next 10 yrs I should have a husband who earns enough, beautiful kids, a house, a car,and an emergency fund and other consumer stuff required to live happily. I'm looking forward for the next 10 yrs eagerly.
Posted by: deepa | May 22, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Ten years ago! Thats half my life! I was 10 years old. Now that is very strange to think about…
Obviously I was still living with my parents and I didn’t have very many expenses. Surprisingly I was very protective of what little money I had. I had my first Summer Job re-stacking my neighbors wood pile and feeding his chickens every day. 3 dollars an hour! About 75$ per month. I was a smart kid and saved most of it… (Ten years later, I have no idea where that money went. Thankfully though, I am back into the savings mentality)
Posted by: Cameron | May 23, 2008 at 02:46 AM
I managed to raise my net-worth from ~100$ (less than 2 yrs on a job, staying with parents) to ~ 500K$ (still staying in a rented house but will own a house next year hopefully without a loan). I guess stock options have a lot to do with it (not sure if I feel guilty about that), but bigger contribution might be from getting married, having a child & then realising the need to start the baby steps in financial planning...
Posted by: Param | May 23, 2008 at 03:20 AM
10 years ago...I was a junior in high school! :) I guess I probably had some savings...but nothing worth bragging about!
Posted by: SavingDiva | May 27, 2008 at 03:39 PM