Easy Cloud's Personal Finance Blog

Cash & Savings: $87,256 => $69,521 (-20.33%)
Foreign Currency: $33,995 => $33,549 (-1.31%)
Domestic Brokerage: $163,531 => $142,198 (-13.05%)
International Brokerage: $85,873 => $125,740 (46.43%)
401(k): $71,751 => $73,841 (2.91%)
IRA: $87,489 => $87,038 (-0.52%)
Roth IRA: $21,802 => $21,837 (0.16%)
Total Assets: $551,697 => $553,724 (0.37%)

This month I found a new investment opportunity, a first since beginning of this year. Hopefully it can do some tricks in 2012 because what I have right now isn't really working.

October
Cash & Savings: $79,276 => $82,307 (3.82%)
Foreign Currency: $33,547 => $33,547 (0%)
US Brokerage: $144,855 => $155,566 (7.39%)
Overseas Brokerage: $85,168 => $90,477 (6.23%)
401(k): $68,912 => $71,345 (3.53%)
IRA: $81,872 => $87,046 (6.32%)
Roth IRA: $22,115 => $23,011 (4.05%)
Total Assets: $515,745 => $543,299 (5.34%)

November
Cash & Savings: $82,307 => $87,256 (6.01%)
Foreign Currency: $33,547 => $33,549 (0.01%)
US Brokerage: $155,566 => $163,531 (5.12%)
Overseas Brokerage: $90,477 => $85,873 (-5.09%)
401(k): $71,345 => $71,751 (0.57%)
IRA: $87,046 => $87,489 (0.51%)
Roth IRA: $23,011 => $21,802 (-5.25%)
Total Assets: $551,251 => $551,251 (1.46%)

Contrary to the continuous pessimism and dreadfull feeling I have October actually went quite well with all categories going up between 3 to 7 percent. However, November is a mixed bag and if not because of the bonus I received in mid month I probably will have less money than a month ago.

I'm going to invest a lot of my cash into a new scheme on currency trading and hopefully that can make me diversify from just stocks. Also I'm considering moving all my Australian dollars into buying an Australian Dollar denominated bond fund.

Looking at my January entery 2011 doesn't look very bright - my cash position including foreign currency increased a bit and US brokerage account also increased by $35,000, 401k didn't change much, IRA and Roth both lost a lot of money. As of November, my total asset increased less than $44,000 when a personal loan of $15,000 is included. This just proves that I need to be more conservative and more selective going forward.

Cash & Savings: $71,656 => $79,276 (10.63%)
Foreign Currency: $33,495 => $33,547 (0.16%)
US Brokerage: $146,243 => $144,855 (-0.95%)
Overseas Brokerage: $94,257 => $85,168 (-9.64%)
401(k): $69,166 => $68,912 (-0.37%)
IRA: $85,583 => $81,872 (-4.34%)
Roth IRA: $23,562 => $22,115 (-6.14%)
Total Assets: $523,962 => $515,745 (-1.57%)

Thanks to a nice bonus I got by the last day of September my cash position has increased a lot and although that has offset some of my losses equity alone I still lost close to $16,000 this month - and that doesn't include the 401k contribution I made, if includedd my losses is clsoer to $20,000 this month and $27,000 last month - not a pretty picture.

Cash & Savings: $86,444 => $71,656 (-15.34%)
Foreign Currency: $33,129 => $33,495 (1.10%)
US Brokerage: $151,032 => $146,243 (-3.17%)
Overseas Brokerage: $102,853 => $94,257 (-8.36%)
401(k): $69,383 => $69,166 (-0.31%)
IRA: $95,007 => $85,583 (-9.92%)
Roth IRA: $24,597 => $23,562 (-4.21%)
Total Assets: $560,645 => $523,962 (-6.54%)

In August I wired $15,000 to my parents to help them finance their second home hence the big drop on my cash position. Other than that, as expected, the world's equity market continue its decline amid yet even gloomier economical news.

Among all my investments my 401k has the least loss due to a change of strategy in late 2008 or early 2009 when I started to contribute into bond funds only. Although the return is negative when you factor in inflation at least it holds its value, unlike the rest of my stock protfolios.

Hearing the President's speech on his job plan and how the Republicans responded to it simply laid further proof that more political stalemate is coming and the average Americans will continue to suffer.

Cash & Savings: $84,644 (5.97%)
Foreign Currency: $33,129 (0.62%)
US Brokerage: $151,032 (1.66%)
Overseas Brokerage: $102,853 (1.26%)
401(k): $69,383 (2.09%)
IRA: $95,007 (-3.08%)
Roth IRA: $24,597 (-5.73%)
Total Assets: $560,645 (1.01%)

I'm a fan of George RR Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series and I use the motto of the Stark's family as the title of this month's entry becuase there are no better words to describe what is about to come. Watching how the whole debate ceiling fiasco unfolds, unfortunately, proves my macro economics/political view is correct, i.e. the ever heated bipartisanship in this country is bring everyone down, well, at least for the 98% of the population whom in some way rely on the government for basic services.

This month I moved a matured CD into CapitalOne because it offers the best rate of 1.10% (sadly) and a bonus of 10% of the interest if the balance is over $10,000. That's really not a lot of money but given the sad state of the debt ceiling debate it's better to keep more cash on hand than investing in any stocks. Today's (8/2) big drop of the stock market verified my fear that nothing is safe other than cash and precious metal.

The private loan that I made won't be returned until 2-3 months later due to my friend's financial strain at his company. His partners are all gone but it appears that things are improving and I hope he can turn it around soon, not for the money I lend him, but as a friend wishing the best of him.

Cash & Savings: $79,878 (4.84%)
Foreign Currency: $32,924 (0.31%)
US Brokerage: $148,560 (0.15%)
Overseas Brokerage: $101,576 (-1.29%)
401(k): $67,964 (1.39%)
IRA: $98,029 (2.55%)
Roth IRA: $26,091 (-1.26%)
Total Assets: $555,022 (1.04%)

My stock protfolio pretty much stays at the same level as last month but that means all the monthly investment I put in had led to further losses, a very frustrating process. I have a CD of $5,000 maturing this week and another personal loan of $15,000 that will be re-paid in late July. Where to park all these cash is a big question given my poor return on stocks.

Cash & Savings: $76,194 (28.99%)
Foreign Currency: $32,823 (0.16%)
US Brokerage: $148,331 (-2.02%)
Overseas Brokerage: $102,906 (-1.52%)
401(k): $67,030 (0.92%)
IRA: $95,591 (-4.09%)
Roth IRA: $26,423 (-2.02%)
Total Assets: $549,298 (1.57%)

Due to my busy work schedule and laziness I wasn't able to appeal my home value in time but there is a new push within the community to incoprporate into a new city thereby lower some other costs but that won't happen immediately. I'm not sure where all the cash comes from except a $5,000 interest free loan I gave to a friend years ago.

Portfolio wise I lost several thousands dollars due to the harsh market. 'Sail in May, Go Away' what wisdom it holds.

I also need to find out what contributed to my 4% drop in my IRA account.

Cash & Savings: $59,071 (-24.55%)
Foreign Currency: $32,772 (0.93%)
US Brokerage: $151,387 (4.75%)
Overseas Brokerage: $104,495 (3.38%)
401(k): $66,418 (3.13%)
IRA: $99,672 (3.77%)
Roth IRA: $26,969 (-3.77%)
Total Assets: $540,784 (-0.74%)

In April I invested $15,000 into my friend's business that led to the 1/4 drop of my cash position. Other than that the rest of my portfolio performed quite well except my Roth IRA account that includes some tanker stocks that I am stupid enough to hold on to them. If I had sold them when the economy began to slow I would have limited the loss if not making a small profit. The lesson I learned is that certain cyclical stocks are just not suitable for buy-and-hold strategy. Other blue chip stocks may be able to ride through the storm but they are more of the exceptions.

One thing I completely missed is silver. I had actually reserved money back in December to purchase at least $10,000 worth of silver. However, after I returned from my long vacation in January silver had already enjoyed a small run up from 27 to 30, a 10% uptick that I thought was due for correction - and it did. Unfortunately I was caught in some office politics that completely distracted me and the next thing I, and the rest of the world, know is the crazy run up of silver to $48 before the 12% correction yesterday. But even if silver stands at $40 it would still have been a 33% return in 4 months time. Another lesson learned.

Lastly, as I was writing my monthly entry this morning I realized that I had erronously double counted another acount as as US Brokerage account, hence inflating my total assets. I had to go back to December 2011 to correct all my entries.

Cash & Savings: $78,293 (3.65%)
Foreign Currency: $32,471 (1.24%)
US Brokerage: $144,516 (1.54%)
Overseas Brokerage: $101,082 (6.53%)
401(k): $64,403 (2.12%)
IRA: $96,048 (1.22%)
Roth IRA: $28,026 (-0.67%)
Total Assets: $544,839 (1.81%)

The global equity market turned out finishing the first quarter strong despite the disaster in Japan and the turmoil in the Middle East. However, whether that trend can continue is very debatable.

Unfortunately, despite the strong ending a new actively managed account still remained flat in March. Also I still didn't manage to review my portfolio.

Cash & Savings: $75,538 (2.88%)
Foreign Currency: $32,073 (0.31%)
US Brokerage: $142,331 (0.39%)
Overseas Brokerage: $99,042 (2.11%)
401(k): $63,064 (2.64%)
IRA: $94,890 (-1.13%)
Roth IRA: $28,214 (2.40%)
Total Assets: $535,152 (1.14%)

February turned out to be a tough month for emerging markets although my domestic stocks purchased in January have been doing okay. The other thing that drags my return is a new actively managed account I opened a few months ago, all the funds I purchased based on the account manager's recommendation have been losing money so far, very sad.

And another month has passed and I still didn't find the time to evaluate my past year's investment performance. This is not good. I really need to do this before end of March so I have time to make adjustment.

Cash & Savings: $73,423 (-18.35%)
Foreign Currency: $31,975 (0.15%)
US Brokerage: $141,776 (10.42%)
Overseas Brokerage: $96,994 (-0.63%)
401(k): $61,444 (2.58%)
IRA: $95,974 (5.06%)
Roth IRA: $27,554 (18.24%)
Total Assets: $529,140 (1.29%)

As planned I moved a large chunk of cash into various accounts and despite the recent market turmoil I'm hoping my investment will pay off one day.

However, a month has passed and I still didn't have time to evaluate all my brokerage accounts 2010 performance, this is getting frustrating.

Cash & Savings: $89,922 (-23.13%)
Foreign Currency: $31,927 (5.62%)
US Brokerage: $128,396 (10.96%)
Overseas Brokerage: $97,613 (50.22%)
401(k): $59,898 (4.68%)
IRA: $91,355 (9.31%)
Roth IRA: $23,303 (-1.51%)
Total Assets: $522,414 (6.10%)

Due to my hectic traveling schedule I wasn't able to make the Nodevember update in time so I'm going straight to December instead. There are quite some significant updates on my total asset in the last two months:
1. I am able to access my foreign currency account 1.5 year later. The increase simply reflects the interest incurred during that time and its appreciation against USD, which is easy given how weak the green back is.
2. I opened a new actively managed brokerage account with $30,000. I'm hoping this account will perform better than my other accounts.
3. I made a small adjustment to my existing overseas brokerage account. I need to pay more attention to this account because it's performance is subpar compare to the overall market.
4. I moved $10,000 into a US brokerage account. The money will be invested in blue chips/high yield stocks. This money eventually will go to my sibling therefore it has to be relatively safe.

Despite the 5-week vacation I had in the last two months I was too occupied with other misc. things that removed me from looking into how my investment performed in 2011. That's a pity because I had plans to do other things as well but none of that happened due to all the new chores that came up in the last two months. I hope in the next two weeks I can finish my evaluation.

Cash & Savings: $116,985 (-7.91%)
Foreign Currency: $30,228 (1.2%)
US Brokerage: $115,709 (10.28%)
Overseas Brokerage: $64,979 (11.9%)
401(k): $57,221 (5.6%)
IRA: $83,577 (6.26%)
Roth IRA: $23,660 (1.31%)
Total Assets: $492,359 (3.42%)

Some how I forgot to enter my September entries but it also helps to show the rising stock market in a more dramatic fashion.

It's only two months before 2011 and there are two important decisions to make in such a short time - 1) what to do with my RMB account? 2) Do I convert my traditional IRA into Roth?

Cash & Savings: $127,031 (9.21%)
Foreign Currency: $29,870 (0.15%)
US Brokerage: $104,925 (3.63%)
Overseas Brokerage: $58,067 (5.37%)
401(k): $54,184 (3.22%)
IRA: $78,655 (0.9%)
Roth IRA: $23,353 (-0.32%)
Total Assets: $476,085 (4.32%)

Again by end of August my cash level sees a big increase due to expense reimbursment that skewed the actual. Some areas of the stock market remain strong surprisingly but the tanker stocks I own continue to be a disappointment due to weak demand and over supply of ships.

This month I also received a letter from my mortgage company saying my rate will be readjusted to an even lower one of 3.25% from 3.625%. I'm debating whether I should pay down more principle because even 3.25% is still higher than the average divident let alone bank interest rate. I still have 2 weeks to make up my mind.

Cash & Savings: $116,314 (-2.04%)
Foreign Currency: $29,826 (0.3%)
US Brokerage: $101,254 (5.28%)
Overseas Brokerage: $55,107 (7.93%)
401(k): $52,493 (4.82%)
IRA: $77,955 (7.1%)
Roth IRA: $23,459 (2.16%)
Total Assets: $456,408 (3.37%)

July is exactly the opposite as last month where my cash position has dropped but brokerage accounts have increased. However, looking back the large cash position I had last month was caused by business expense reimbursement, not from actualy earnings/savings.

Cash & Savings: $118,735 (4.75%)
Foreign Currency: $29,738 (0.44%)
US Brokerage: $96,174 (-0.62%)
Overseas Brokerage: $51,057 (4.17%)
401(k): $50,078 (1.54%)
IRA: $72,788 (-4.80%)
Roth IRA: $22,964 (-4.46%)
Total Assets: $441,534 (0.68%)

Despite losses mostly in my IRA and Roth IRA accounts my total asset actually went up due to the large cash position I hold. Just another proof that cash is king these days.

I haven't been trading any stocks for more than a year or probably longer. Just couldn't find anything that worth investing.

Cash & Savings: $113,354 (2.87%)
Foreign Currency: $29,607 (0.00%)
US Brokerage: $96,772 (-5.07%)
Overseas Brokerage: $49,012 (-8.79%)
401(k): $49,320 (-1.61%)
IRA: $76,460 (-7.97%)
Roth IRA: $24,036 (-4.20%)
Total Assets: $438,561 (-3.35%)

The tide finally turned south, BIG, in the month of May. Overall I lost $20,000 in the stock market, at least on paper. Just as the popular saying goes, 'Sell in May and go away'. It is very true indeed.

I expect greater volatility in the months ahead as geopolitics and the Euro zone debt crisis continue to play out.

It seems like near term the only way to make some money other than betting on share price appreciation (or depreciation) is through dividend oriented stocks.

Cash & Savings: $110,192 (1.71%)
Foreign Currency: $29,607 (-0.06%)
US Brokerage: $101,938 (2.76%)
Overseas Brokerage: $53,735 (1.91%)
401(k): $50,127 (3.97%)
IRA: $83,085 (2.50%)
Roth IRA: $25,091 (1.81%)
Total Assets: $453,775 (2.24%)

I'm not sure how but my total assets actually increased in Apirl despite a sharp fall last week. In my line of business getting billable work is directly tied to how much commission you can receive and overall billable work started to dry up by end of Q1 and there is no pick up in sight. Not a good sign.

Cash & Savings: $108,344 (1.09%)
Foreign Currency: $29,624 (0.01%)
US Brokerage: $99,201 (5.14%)
Overseas Brokerage: $52,727 (10.55%)
401(k): $48,213 (1.08%)
IRA: $81,062 (5.89%)
Roth IRA: $24,644 (1.10%)
Total Assets: $443,815 (3.82%)

The world's market was able to shake off the news from the deficit crisis from Europe but the most disappointed realization is that the value of my townhouse is probably down by 7% or even more. I did the study because I planned to do some remodeling of my house and didn't want to invest too much when no one is going to pay for it.

Compare to many other areas a 7% decline may not be that bad but it's not something any home owner wants to see. An article from USA Today on Thursday pointed out that home prices in the Atlanta area where I live and other metros won't recover until 2016 and metros like Detroit is not projected to recover by 2020. So is the excess of the first decade of the new millennium.

Cash & Savings: $107,177 (0.54%)
Foreign Currency: $29,622 (0.02%)
US Brokerage: $94,352 (6.76%)
Overseas Brokerage: $47,696 (-1.01%)
401(k): $47,696 (3.7%)
IRA: $76,552 (3.07%)
Roth IRA: $24,377 (5.01%)
Total Assets: $425,880 (2.69%)

The market recouped a bit in February but not enough to offset the losses in January. Data released in Feb is very encouraging, either, especially for those who are still looking for a job, like some of my friends.

Cash & Savings: $106,598 (5.27%)
Foreign Currency: $29,617 (-0.01%)
US Brokerage: $88,376 (-10.68%)
Overseas Brokerage: $48,182 (-2.93%)
401(k): $44,458 (1.83%)
IRA: $74,271 (-4.12%)
Roth IRA: $23,214 (21.57%)
Total Assets: $414,716 (-1.18%)

Right after the initial excitment of a strong January opening the market soon faded away last week as one can see from my US stocks return.

Cash & Savings: $101,257 (2.10%)
Foreign Currency: $29,621 (0.00%)
US Brokerage: $98,942 (8.93%)
Overseas Brokerage: $49,636 (-0.39%)
401(k): $43,657 (1.82%)
IRA: $77,465 (2.47%)
Roth IRA: $19,095 (0.63%)
Total Assets: $419,673 (3.14%)

As it turned out, neither Dubai World nor the financial crisis at Greece is big enough to deter investors' commitment of the stock market.

What's truely amazing is that if I compare my position to a year ago (January 2009 really since I didn't have an entry for December 2008) overall there is whopping (at least to me) 53.12%return. I'll have to remove the infusion I made in the last 12 months to see what the 'true' return is.

Cash & Savings: $99,770 (2.30%)
Foreign Currency: $29,622 (0.17%)
US Brokerage: $90,834 (4.24%)
Overseas Brokerage: $49,832 (12.29%)
401(k): $42,878 (5.98%)
IRA: $75,598 (6.55%)
Roth IRA: $18,975 (6.37%)
Total Assets: $407,509 (5.06%)

November turns out to be another spectacular month. Due to a hectic schedule I didn't really follow the news and the strong showing totally caught me off guard - in a good way, of course.

Let's hope the whole Dubai World fiasco doesn't turn into a global pendemic.

Cash & Savings: $97.529 (5.66%)
Foreign Currency: $29,573 (-0.17%)
US Brokerage: $87,136 (2.98%)
Overseas Brokerage: $44,379 (2.07%)
401(k): $40,460 (2.84%)
IRA: $70,950 (0.50%)
Roth IRA: $17,839 (1.25%)
Total Assets: $387,596 (2.72%)

The strong start of October faded away at the end of the month. I haven't seen such a big drop in emerging markets in such magnitude for a long time in the last week of October.

The latest report says the US economy showed a gain of more than 3% and as a result more talkes about whether this is a V-shaped, U-shaped, or W-shaped recovery have mushroomed all over the media. It's hard to say, but so far the recovery doesn't seem to have legs, just an inventory rebound.

Cash & Savings: $92.049 (0.30%)
Foreign Currency: $29,623 (0.06%)
US Brokerage: $84,616 (4.17%)
Overseas Brokerage: $43,749 (9.13%)
401(k): $39,342 (5.64%)
IRA: $70,594 (3.48%)
Roth IRA: $17,618 (1.39%)
Total Assets: $377,591 (3.30%)

In October emerging market rised again wit significant gains and domestic market also improved a bit before dropping more in the first two days of October.

Cash & Savings: $91,774 (-0.32%)
Foreign Currency: $29,605 (0.18%)
US Brokerage: $81,229 (-5.83%)
Overseas Brokerage: $40,089 (1.76%)
401(k): $37,242 (3.45%)
IRA: $68,220 (0.92%)
Roth IRA: $17,377 (-4.10%)
Total Assets: $365,536 (-0.94%)

August turned out to be pretty ugly for domestic stock market and going into September it looks like emerging markets especially will be pretty bad as well.

In the next few months I expect to make some major purchases that wil reduce my cash level significantly. The goods news is that my 5/1 ARM just adjusted the second time and my new rate is only 3.625% due to the low interest rate environment in the UK. My rate readjust each year by 1-year LIBOR + 2.25%. This helps reduce my monthly mortgage greatly percentage wise but amount wise it's not that significant since my principle isn't that large to begin with.

Cash & Savings: $92,067 (9.03%)
Foreign Currency: $29,551 (-0.15%)
US Brokerage: $86,261 (10.24%)
Overseas Brokerage: $39,397 (8.99%)
401(k): $36,001 (8.18%)
IRA: $67,596 (6.30%)
Roth IRA: $18,119 (2.19%)
Total Assets: $368,992 (7.57%)

The stock market has been kind in the usually slow month of July and a loan returned to me also increased my cash position significantly. Now I have to figure out ow to invest this new found asset. It won't be easy.

Cash & Savings: $84,442 (5.01%)
Foreign Currency: $29,596 (-0.06%)
US Brokerage: $78,251 (1.58%)
Overseas Brokerage: $36,148 (3.89%)
401(k): $33,279 (4.66%)
IRA: $63,592 (0.09%)
Roth IRA: $17,731 (-3.54%)
Total Assets: $343,039 (2.23%)

The rise of equity has slowed down this month due to the fall of the stock market. Will it continue? I think yes.

Cash & Savings: $80,414 (-0.76%)
Foreign Currency: $29,615 (-0.13%)
US Brokerage: $77,037 (12.02%)
Overseas Brokerage: $34,795 (16.93%)
401(k): $31,797 (7.97%)
IRA: $63,533 (6.21%)
Roth IRA: $18,381 (7.24%)
Total Assets: $335,572 (6.32%)

In May again the best performance comes from emerging markets. Stock market also had a significant run in the US but not as large as overseas.

I'm waiting for the pull back to get back into the stock market only looking for companies with strong cash flow and high yield.

Cash & Savings: $81,026 (4.14%)
Foreign Currency: $29,653 (0.25%)
US Brokerage: $68,770 (7.85%)
Overseas Brokerage: $29,758 (18.94%)
401(k): $29,449 (9.73%)
IRA: $59,816 (11.19%)
Roth IRA: $17,140 (26.99%)
Total Assets: $315.612 (8.72%)

In April the best performance comes from my overseas brokerage that focuses on emerging markets. Within the US the stock market is also doing quite well, but the old saying of sell in May then go away can still be very true.