Overall, I’m relatively stable for the first quarter. The advantage of being young and just starting to invest is that the amount of new money I’ve been adding to the pot is as much (or more, in some cases) than the amount I’ve lost in this downturn. Hopefully, I’ll be able to profit when things pick up again.

I don’t know of your situation, so I certainly cannot say if in your case it was all deductible or not. I assumed it was because from what I read you have high income and two houses, so I thought income and property taxes alone are likely to give you enough deductions, but living in NY state, it’s easy to assume incorrectly.

However, the fact that CD interest is compounded while mortgage interest is paid on ever reduced principal is often overlooked. Bonds act more like interest-only loans, but they are closer to mortgage interest than CDs. I do understand the desire not to have a mortgage in retirement, though. After all, I did pay off mine several years ago. My interest was 7% though, it was taken when rates were higher. But… if I decided to upgrade now, I’d probably take a mortgage for the price difference instead of paying cash – the rates are too low to pass.

My first quarter was OK too, helped a lot by the recent rally. My rate of return in 401K are also -5.5% since last year. Outside of 401K, I am ahead – helped by the fact that my employer’s stock is up since last year and is only down 10% since 2007 (although it’s down 23% since it’s multi-years high last summer). I have more of it than I should have: legacy of years of participating in ESPP with only a few sales. Sold some in 2007, planned to sell in 2008 but missed the opportunity; really need to sell more of it this year. Overall my net worth grew this quarter. This can change if the market turns down again.

Where are these in your net worth? What are your thoughts on these products?Why do/don’t you have them?

This is so true and funny… but to achieve the dreams that people think promised it’s the only way.. That said I do track my credit report to see if weird things pop up…

And kitty’s point is pretty good, comparing apples w/ apples etc.

My first quarter is just slow n’ boringly climbing… grad salary, no real needs/expenses …
Tho I am finally getting long-term investments set up (yay~~~)

So, for comparison purposes, it is best compared with taxable bond interest (I say bond rather than CD because bond’s interest is simple interest and CD interest is compounded interest and your mortgage interest is not compounded – it is actually getting smaller as you repay the interest).