Monthly Update

October net asset value comes to $322,907.93, plus or minus a few dollars.

This figure is slightly lower than September, primarily due to stock-market losses in brokerage and retirement accounts. I'm not too disappointed in the monthly decline as the year is still on track for substantial growth, but the soft stock returns remind me that I do need to reassess my holdings with an eye toward streamlining.

I was able to accomplish several quarterly goals this month, though my focus was inconsistent:
- Started this personal-finance journal to aid with the focus
- Opened free YNB account with $25 bonus
- Started process to register bonds at Treasury Direct
- Listened to two conference calls for stockholdings
- Read through Jim Cramer's Real Money
- Started mortgage preapproval process