May 2021 numbers update

May was a quieter month in terms of new projects and activities. Funnily enough it consisted of a lot of time spent ruminating about ideas, new projects/paths and just thinking. I suspect I thought far too much! What was all the thinking about? Well I’m trying to decide how I want to spend some of my time. I’m super keen to be involved in a project that is both challenging as well provides some interaction with other folks – preferably smart/fun ones rather than just any people. This is leading me down a path of trying to choose between consulting work, or even a more intense role. It has been tricky meeting up with people considering we’re now back in lockdown dynamics with a 3rd wave underway.

Enough about my thinking though. In terms of activities, we had some wonderful get togethers this month. We got to celebrate a nice milestone birthday for my wife with the whole family. It was absolutely wonderful, and great to have the opportunity to have so much of the family together. Baked a nice cake, and had a great catered set of snacks, plus everyone made something for the birthday. I think she liked it too!

Also got together with some good mates to have a good session of some speed chess. Always a great time to be had with old friends who’ve known each other for the majority of our lives – like 75% of our lifetimes! They’re always the type you can just be yourself and not worry about whether your life is perfect. You see the whole messy time from kids to adults to middle age, haha.

Financially May was a great month financially, although we spent quite a bit extra on the parties and fun times. But hey, we only get old once.

Financial update

May was a solid growth month on the net worth side. This month the net worth grew by $29.5k to a new total of $1.2m in liquid net worth. I don’t include the home in the net worth since it’s already benefiting us through lower expenses. All the growth came from an improved currency. The currency improved to such an extent that it actually reduced our net worth in local currency. However year to date we’re way up in both local currency and in USD, so happy with the performance overall.

Investment income for the month was immaterial at $500 from mostly fixed income. No side hustle income or consulting income to report sadly, oh well.

Expenses were quite a lot higher at $3.9k for the month, but the extra $1.2k than usual can all be attributed to some discretionary spend for parties, some currency strength, and donations to a cause I like. Also $250 of that hasn’t actually been spent yet, and allocated for future expenses that we’re saving for.

Otherwise expenses for this month were in line with normal spending. Breakdown of the expenses in May were:

• 36% to food and groceries including pet food and dining out and the parties.
• 17% to household expenses like utilities, levies, taxes, cleaning staff, maintenance and any new furnishings/plants.
• 14% to medical and other insurance.
• 33% to everything else (hobbies, leisure, gifts etc). This includes my donation and nice gifts for my wife hence the big jump this month.

We have no debt or house/car payments to make. As noted I don’t count the house (or the cars) in our net worth. I paid the large expense for both of those items when we bought them.

Projects

As noted in the introduction, I’m looking to get involved in some new projects. This is being juggled with the issues we are having around a 3rd wave and the fact that meeting people will be tricky. I am however seeing where I can get involved in some new equity-based positions, potentially consulting for equity institutions, or helping out in startup land. There are talks underfoot, but nothing in stone. I’m meeting where I can and relying on the serendipity of the universe. It hasn’t failed me yet! I do my hard work, and then the universe gives me the outcome it wants. I’ll see what lands on my plate from there.

On the website side, visits aren’t too much, but hey whatever. I’ll continue publishing some thoughts and see where it takes me.

• 204 views ( 2119 for year to date)
• 69 visitors ( 586 ytd)
• 1 post published (24 posts this year)

A continued thanks to those readers that continue to read and comment on the side and welcome to everyone new!

May was a great month in terms of financial performance. We had a wonderful family get together, spend time with friends. Now we batten down the hatches for 3rd wave and ride out the winter period. Everyone stay safe and warm!