March was just as crazy as ever. We encountered several bumps along the way, both the bad and good kind. Come on in and pull up a chair!
You can check the latest and greatest info on the Track Our Progress page.
First, the numbers:
Net Worth:
- End of March Balance: $1,062,486 up $43,659
- Year to Date (YTD): Down $2,232 (-0.2%)
- Since January 2018 (this is when I started tracking our net worth): Up $757,486
Portfolio:
- End of March Balance: $853,470, up $32,580
- YTD: Down $20,790 (-2.4%)*
- Since January 2018: Up $613,470*
*All numbers above include contributions and are not indicative of investment returns.
March Highlights
Whoopsie Daisy
We go over our cash flow spreadsheet once or twice a month. In doing so, we noticed a higher than expected balance. Doesn’t sound like much of a problem does it?
However, after diving in to the details, we noticed my paycheck had jumped up a couple hundred bucks. Again, all gravy right?
Err… nope. This prompted me to check my withholdings. Voila, there was the issue. My withholding status had been changed to “Head of Household” status. So, while it seems like a good problem to have (more income than anticipated) we were setting ourselves up for a nasty tax surprise next April.
The issue likely came from us trying to do exactly the opposite. I increased (or at least I thought I increased) my withholdings in February since we had a higher tax bill this year than we liked. Somehow, my filing status got changed in the process.
Just another lesson of why it is good to periodically review your accounts. I can’t imagine how bad that bill would have been next year if we didn’t catch it. But realistically, our tax bill is set to rise anyways because…
I Got a Raise!
Now this actually is some good news! And unexpected at that! Normally, our salary adjustments take place in August of each year.
This came about because in my 6-month review I voiced my concerns about workload and struggles to maintain motivation in the face of seemingly unending stress. Like many (most?) industries, ours (consulting engineering) is dealing with staffing shortages and burnout is rampant right now.
My position changed last year and we renegotiated my salary in the fall. They told me to bring them a number. So I did, and then they brushed it off and gave me a raise that, while still significant, was far below what I approached them with.
I brought the previous negotiation back up and stated that, if I can’t reduce the daily burden of the job (hiring and retaining staff has been a major challenge and we are growing at a lightning fast pace), then a higher salary would help offset some of the stress. Initially, additional vacation was offered; however, I wouldn’t be able to actually use it, as busy as we are.
I left the meeting disappointed; however, a couple weeks later my manager cornered me and gave me the news that they would increase my salary to the number I previously proposed to them!
The only reason this worked, is that I could clearly point out my value to the firm (financial goals exceeded, exceptional project management, and navigation of recent tricky personnel issues). Additionally, I confidently provided examples of how others in similar positions were similarly compensated. If either piece was missing, I feel I would not have been given the raise.
Does this change the day to day stresses of the job? Not really. But I do feel less stressed knowing I am being compensated fairly for the work I am doing and that ownership really does appreciate the work I’ve been doing.
RV Learning Curve or Cliff?
We took our new RV out for a shake down camping trip the last weekend in March. The weather was perfect: Highs in the upper 40s/low 50s with winds gusting to 30+ mph.
Yes, I’m being sarcastic. It was blustery and cold.
People talk about the “learning curve” when you start a new endeavor. Well, if you plotted out our learning vs. time, this trip would look more like a vertical line.
Not even 30 mins into the trip we hit a pot hole. Our tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) started beeping about a leaking tire. I discounted it at first, but then we could see the pressure continue to drop. (as an aside, that TPMS has paid for itself already!) Thankfully, we found an exit ramp with a wide shoulder to check out the situation. Sure enough, there was a large nail that had sliced through the sidewall of one of the trailer tires. Ooof! So, I got to practice a tire change on our first trip out.
After that was under control, we got to the campground and got set up with no real issues. However, after a couple hours I noticed the water was not getting hot. And the water heater wasn’t cycling on at all. Hmmm.
Several Youtube videos later, and much testing with a multi-meter, we tracked the problem down to a bad fuse. With this being a shakedown trip, we didn’t go far. This paid off, as I was able to run down to a nearby RV dealer to grab a couple replacements. Sure enough, a little while later we were back in business.
For a few hours.
As the sun started setting I noticed I hadn’t heard the water heater kick on in a while. Immediately, I checked the fuse and to my horror I noticed the wire was partially melted.
DIY tip: if a fuse pops or a breaker trips… something caused it. Try to solve that problem first.
In this case, the high winds and the position of the RV caused the flame to get pulled out of the flame tube (that is clearly not what it is actually called) and whomever wired the water heater left a bundle of wires hanging in an exposed area. I was able to move the wires, replace the fuse and enjoy a hot shower!
On top of that, we had purchased a generator to keep with rig. Right before the trip I noticed it wasn’t working anymore. After installing a couple replacement parts, with no success, the manufacturer finally decided to let me exchange the unit.
In the end, we still had a good time. Rather than second guessing if we are cut out for RVing, the obstacles overcome have given us confidence. We are excited to get back out there!
Coming Up in April
RV Season is Upon Us!
We have two more RV trips upcoming in April. One will be our first “boondocking” trip, meaning we will not have a hookup for water, electric, or sewer. From here through the end of summer we have most weekends booked up with traveling. Busy times are here, and we are pumped!
Thanks for reading!
