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Archive for January, 2014

2013 Review - a good year but not great when comparing to how the market did

January 4th, 2014 at 06:44 pm

Cash & Savings: $71,084 => $76,975 (8.29%)
Foreign Currency: $35,948 => $37,881 (5.38%)
Domestic Brokerage: $167,737 => $209,852 (25.11%)
International Brokerage: $208,875 => $219,042 (4.87%)
401(k): $94,394 => $116,622 (23.55%)
IRA: $34,633 > $41,988 (21.27%)
Roth IRA: $80,986 => $102,723 (26.84%)
Total Assets: $693,657 => $805,093 (16.07%)

The last week of December I sold three loser stocks that I held for years to offset the gains I have from one winning stock. I also sold a fund that has been under performing for years but managed to claw back this year. I sold it because I have too many holdings. As of today, I still have 16 stocks and 23 funds, more than a commoner can manage.

In 2013 I also made more donations than ever.

Looking back, my total assets increased 16%, or, $111,436 this year, largely due to equity portfolio appreciation. All my brokerage accounts appreciated more than 20% this year except two that focus on emerging markets.

Also my 401(k) account appreciated little because it was too concentrated on cash and income, instead of growth. I changed my fund selections back in October but it's not enough to swing the pendulum by year end. There's still a lot of work to do on my 401(k) account since it still has over 40% on cash and income.

Going into 2014, I have a few goals:
1) make adjustments to my 401(k) account so it is more balanced, i.e. less cash and cinome, more growth;
2) make adjustments to one of my taxable brokerage accounts and close it by mid 2015 if not sooner. That account also has two big losers;
3) Purchase one new fund, perhaps ETF, in one of my taxable account;
4) Purchase one or two funds in my Roth IRA account now that it has $24,000 in cash;
5) Make adjustments in my Roller IRA account now that it has over $6,000 in cash.