I had my initial home design appointment. The two things that were hardest to decide on were the countertops (granite vs. quartz) and the brick selection.

I probably would have gone with the quartz upgrade if any of the quartz selections appealed to me, but they didn't. I looked online and found some quartz options that were attractive, but the ones this builder has selected were not the better options. So I went with a very popular granite selection that is called a white granite, but nothing is truly white in the granite patterns, just lighter than other selections.

I think I have decided on a neutral, earth tone brick. It's texture is smooth. I was considering a pink brick that had a rough texture, but went with a smooth brick in case I wanted to paint the brick in the future.

So I have decided on everything, unless I just change my mind last minute. I have almost 2 weeks until my final design appointment. Other selections included the flooring - vinyl & tile, wall & trim colors, door & garage door colors, stucco & siding colors, shingle color, and fireplace mantle.

I can't remember if I mentioned my upgrades. My priciest upgrade is the cabinets to the ceiling. I also am adding ceiling fans in the additional rooms, cabinets over the toilets, comfort height toilets, soft close drawers, upgraded the cabinet hardware from knobs to pulls, and added a trash can pullout. I am upgrading the tile in the kitchen backsplash from a subway tile to a mosaic tile and adding the same tile to the fireplace. I am upgrading the tile in the wet areas from large squares to rectangles. Some of the popular upgrades that I passed on were tiling the showers in the bathrooms (very pricy) and painting the lower cabinets and kitchen island. I'm going with all white cabinets.

Today is Good Friday and the markets are closed. I can update my investments, but will have to wait until Monday to add my savings & cash, and calculate my total monthly gain.

TSP $1,141,985

IRA $333,541

Brokerage $102,440

Investments $1,577,966

Savings $34,816

March 2024 Net Worth $1,612,782

Monthly Gain Loss $53,939

Checking $19,155

My brokerage account is earmarked for my downpayment on my home, which is scheduled to be completed 6 months from now. I'm glad to have 6 more months to accumulate savings. I know they say that a downpayment shouldn't be invested aggressively, but I don't want to pull the money prematurely.

Exciting news! Yesterday I signed a purchase agreement to build a new home. I'm very excited & looking forward to the process. It's a bit overwhelming considering all the choices that I'll have to make, but it's exactly what I hoped for so I'm fortunate to have this opportunity. I can't wait to share the updates & progress as I embark on this journey. Stay tuned!

TSP $1,103,630

IRA $322,758

Brokerage $98,764

Total Investments $1,525,152

Savings $33,691

February 2024 Net Worth $1,558,843

January 2024 Net Worth $1,481,220

Monthly Loss/Gain $77,623

Other Assets:

Checking $19,386

Car $10,575-16,372 (estimates)

I added my VIN to Monarch & got a vastly different car value than the one estimated from Credit Karma. Interesting. I really don't look at my car like true asset, but it does have value. However, if I had to replace my car I'd definitely be out more money. 

I am sticking with Monarch. Mint was free, but I paid $50 for the year. I think it's worth it. I think it's the closest to replicating what Mint was. Still keeping Credit Karma as well.

Piling up cash as I really get serious about looking at houses is a big priority. I want to be back in my hometown by Christmas. So if I'm building I need to start soon.