The Financial Samurai Investment Tracker Spreadsheet
Embracing a financial game plan can lead to surprising accumulations of wealth over time, unlike those who don’t have a plan and later wonder where their money disappeared. To keep you on track with your investments, consider using the Financial Samurai Investment Tracker Spreadsheet.
For several years, I aimed to invest between $5,000 and $20,000 monthly to generate sufficient passive income for family support. Investments include anything from paying off debts to purchasing ETFs, building bond portfolios, or even expanding real estate. With this investment pace, I expected my net worth to increase by $60,000 to $240,000 annually. Staying consistent for 20 years could allow me to retire comfortably in Hawaii.
Everyone should invest regularly to ensure financial growth over their lifetime—the key is time in the market.
In 2016, I analyzed my annual investments to see if I met my monthly goals. It’s easy to assume progress without tracking, but real tracking can reveal the truth and help spot any bad habits.
Here’s a breakdown of my monthly investments for 2016:
– January: Purchased $5,000 of Vanguard High Yield Dividend ETF.
– February: Bought additional shares of the same ETF and invested $5,000 in Amazon.
– Throughout the year, continued similar investments, focusing on ETFs but also participated in venture debt.
– June: Post-Brexit, invested $10,000 in ETFs.
– July: A slower month with a venture debt call and profits taken to fund personal projects.
– August to December: Focused heavily on paying down various debts while continuing to invest in ETFs and taking advantage of rare equity opportunities.
The latter part of the year was particularly focused on bonds due to their safety in an uncertain market. My total investment in stocks and bonds was approximately $265,000, with a higher allocation towards bonds.
This tracking has taught me several lessons:
1. My actual investment pace was higher than anticipated.
2. Stock investments were concentrated in the first half of the year.
3. I began mortgage pay-downs later in the year, which might not have been optimal given market conditions.
4. Investment in lower-interest debts was less strategic compared to higher-interest options.
5. The bulk of my investments were made in the second half of the year, driven by market events like elections.
In summary, the disciplined tracking and analysis of investments help in fine-tuning investment strategies and ensuring that financial actions align with long-term objectives. This methodical approach can significantly enhance net worth over time.
