As we gracefully float into October, I wonder how many of us will look back at the year 2020 and think “Yah…. I don’t want to see that year again!”. With generally wanting to focus on the most optimistic / positive things in life, I’m hoping that 2021 will be the year of ‘bounce back’. Generally my investments, apart from my individual stocks and shares (which are performing horribly!) have been pretty robust and is just continuing to grow – the keep calm and carry on approach rings in my mind!
September 2020 | Investment
Updates & News
With US elections just around the corner and almost 50% of the fund that I’m invested in is involved with organisations that operate in the US, I am fully expecting that the markets are going to be a little turbulent and so will those glorious figures. But for so far, here are the graphs:
Overall things have been progressing relatively well – perhaps this is one of those months in the FIRE journey that is just generally not very interesting / quite boring?! It is bound to happen, especially when I plan to do these updates for the next 10 years :p which is my anticipated FIRE date! (by the time I’m 40).
How are those figures looking?
Total Income: £12,868.00
Total Saved (?): £10,375.00
Total Expenses: £2,493.00
Savings (%): 81%
Hooooeeeeeee! I think this is my best savings rate since I began the journey! Touching just over 80%! Holy moly, I didn’t think I’d be able to do that. This month has been a bit of a bumper month and I’m glad that I’ve tucked this all away. I’m making a solid push to try and reach £150,000 in Index Funds by the end of 2020. With index funds at £132,000 at the moment, that means that I’m going to work on putting away £18,000 between now and the end of the year – which with my bad maths works out at around £6,000 p/m. *Touch Wood* this should hopefully be do-able if nothing drastic is to happen!
Garden October 2020
The garden is all starting to die down now as we start to get closer and closer to winter. However what a bit of a bumper year that we’ve had! We bought an Apple Tree the first day we moved in for the cost of about £36. The first year we had no fruit on it and then the 2nd year we had 2 Apples – working out to the cost of about £18 per apple! (Hah!) But this year, we’ve had about 10 apples (Pwhoar!)! Of course, I’m joking when it comes to measuring the yield of apples to the original cost and really the apple tree is there from a sentimental point of view.
Will try to get some pictures of the garden – but I’m actually writing this from a lovely cottage up close to Chesterfield!
Ahhh, trees- it’s that old addage (that applies to investing too)- the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, the 2nd best time is now. So congrats- on both the tree and the 80%+ saving rate this month.
Haha yes! That’s always a solid point – The apples by the way are delicious!
Thanks! I didn’t think I’d be able to hit 80% – my expenses are roughly anywhere around from £2000 – £2500 at the moment, but with that dreaded new year tax bill and house improvements looming, I think I’ll be back to the 60% soon enough!
Wow, incredible savings rate, well done, Jase!
Fast approaching that £150k goal!
Thanks Weenie!
Yes soon approaching! Hoping to push past that £150,000 mark by the end of this year in Index Funds. Then most likely next year I’ll begin looking at the fee’s side of things / transferring across to a ‘pay per transaction’ type approach (but will need to do some additional research on this!)
Jesus Chris Jase! Congrats on that 80% saving rate! The maximum percentage I’ve ever reached is 75% and I did really feel like a top king! Hehe.
At this pace you’ll reach one million in no time! 😀
Thanks Tony! Yeah was really impressed with myself for that! Though November figures aren’t looking so hot right now 😀
Your savings are impressive)) I am sure that your goal is really fast approaching. Keep it up!
Hey Illia! thanks for dropping by – thanks! Onwards and upwards! 🙂
It was very interesting to read your article and arguments)) Thank you. I think you are right about the slow travel. Really worth a try once the pandemic is over)
Hey Jase! So happy I found your blog. It is so good to see someone out here with similar goals, that is accomplishing so much. Congratulations on the saving rate this month. That is absolutely incredible. I can’t get out of the 60% mark. Hopefully once I pay back my mortgage fully. Keep up the good work and I can’t wait to read more from you 🙂