April 2019 is done….and spring is almost done and summer is close….yeh!! Imagine how it can be if you were already financially independent? Yummy! With that positive thought, lets see how much closer I got to my financial independence targets in April 2019.

Main Takeaways this month

• Passive Income Stream
  • For 2018, my goal was $12K per year which I achieved.  My passive income goal for 2019 is $500 pm or $6K per year. The main reason for the lower target was a pending home purchase…but I have still not been lucky in finding a home that fits the needs and budget 😐
  • But good news is that my monthly passive income has been higher than my targets 🙂 In addition, I am rebuilding my passive income streams. So, all in the right direction.
• Additional Investments
  • Investments in taxable accounts
    • Added to my tax efficient passive income stream via MUNI bonds.
      • VCAIX:
        • Vanguard California Muni
        • Federal and State tax free
  • Investments in tax-deferred account (IRA)
    • Added some more $$ to my rainy day investment fund…for use when the next recession comes and brings down asset prices
    • Money market is giving a decent 2.4%…so, am getting paid to wait.
    • My goals are to invest in the following order when the chips are down:
      • For IRA cash:
        • VEIPX: Vanguard Equity Income Fund
      • For 401K cash:
        • Dividend growth fund or
        • US large cap equity fund or
        • US total market fund
        • …..all based on what funds are available in my 401K
• Miscellaneous
  • Got a super positive surprise for HSA this month.
  • Due to a mistake, my HSA contribution was not getting forwarded to my HSA investment account. It had accumulated to over $4K.
  • Was unhappy that it was not invested…but very happy for the additional $4K!!

March 2019 is done….still fighting flu in the family…..flu shots do not seem to be working well this time 😐 But enough of that….lets get on with March.

How much closer did I get to my financial independence targets in March 2019? Lets look at the numbers and find out.

Main Takeaways this month

• Passive Income Stream
  • For part of 2018, I was on a quarterly dividend system that I later converted to a monthly dividend system. Since March is a major dividend paying month in quarterly system, March 2018 beats March 2019.
  • My passive income goal for 2019 is $500 pm or $6000 pa. For 2018, my goal was $12000 which I achieved. So, there will be lots of RED this year 😦
  • But good news is that I have started rebuilding my passive income streams…more on this below!!
• Emergency Fund
  • My emergency fund rebuilding is done…I achieved 100% of my target.
  • This sets a floor for the next couple of years where recession and a down market can put pressure on finances, cash flow, etc.
  • No more updates on the Emergency Fund from now on…..will let it grow in the background.
• Additional Investments
  • Investments in taxable accounts
    • Very happy to have re-started  a tax efficient passive income stream
      • VCAIX:
        • Vanguard California Muni
        • Federal and State tax free
        • Got 85 cents (first) dividend in March 🙂
  • Investments in tax-deferred account (IRA)
    • Added to my portfolio in cash…a rainy day investment fund when the next recession comes in and brings down prices
    • Money market is giving a decent 2.4%…so, am getting paid to wait.
    • My goals are to invest in the following order when the chips are down:
      • For IRA cash:
        • VEIPX: Vanguard Equity Income Fund
      • For 401K cash:
        • Dividend growth fund or
        • US large cap equity fund or
        • US total market fund
• Miscellaneous
  • Nothing. this week.