Weekly Update: 3-7-2009

Well, I have returned from four days spend wining and dining my dear sweet girlfriend Sondra. Actually, the week was pretty slow; other than cleaning up her attic so that she could set up a bedroom/apartment, we were just calm and relaxed. Moving all the necessary furniture and other accouterments up to the third floor was quite an ordeal, but worthwhile to have a place of our own.

Our big fun this trip was going out to see the Watchmen movie. It was very, very good. I've read the graphic novel, and the movie followed the (admittedly complex) storyline rather well. My girlfriend had not read the graphic novel, and she enjoyed it as well. I recommend the movie highly to anyone interested in a smart, deep, action movie.

One caveat though: do not, I repeat, DO NOT take children (or squeamish/prudish friends) to this movie. Although it is a 'comic book movie', it's rather violent (sometimes realistically so) and sexually-charged at times, and the underlying themes and concepts are extremely deep. The best option in my mind is to read the graphic novel first (it's an excellent read) and see if it is appropriate for your family.

Now, to see how my finances are doing after going to visit my girlfriend and spending nearly a week with her:

Savings

PNC (Checking Account) $ 100 -$138
Susquehanna (CD) $ 2542 +$0
ING Direct (Checking) $ 655 +$616
ING Direct (Savings) $ 3006 +$1601
ING Direct (Orange CD) $ 1016 +$4
HSBC Direct (Savings) $ 23 +$1
Smarty Pig (Savings) $ 700 -$1739
Vanguard (Money Market) $ 1301 +$301

Total Savings $ 9343 +$646

Investments

Vanguard (Roth IRA) $ 4890 -$505
- Small Cap Index (NAESX) $ 2800 -$308
- High Dividend Yield (VHDYX) $ 2090 2287 -$197

Share builder (ETFs) $ 2155 -$179
- Total US Market (TMW) $ 654 -$51
- Extended Market (VXF) $ 646 -$66
- Total Foreign (VEU) $ 425 -$27
- Small Cap Value (VBR) $ 190 -$25
- Emerging Markets (VWO) $ 240 -$10

Total Investments $ 7045 -$684

Total Assets $ 16,388 -$38

Credit Cards

MasterCard (JCPenney) ($ 107) -$0
American Express ($ 1797) -$152

Student Loans ($ 11,929) +$0

Total Debts ($ 13,833) -$152

Net Worth $ 2555 -$190

Not a bad week, overall, but not too good, either. Another small hit to my net worth. Another reason to control my spending and bring it under my incoming funds.