As we did last year, we’ll be taking a look at our financial ups and downs for 2007. (Looking back on this post feels like a lifetime ago!)

Miel opened her first ROTH IRA and maxed it out for the 2006 tax year.

Miel maxed out her ROTH IRAs in 2007.

Miel survives the DRCongo while managing to shell out over $20k cash during her three week visit!

James invests in Southern Copper Corporation (PCU) and Provident Energy Trust (PVX)

Miel maxes out her 401(k) for the first time!

By April we began rethinking our approach to prosper.

In April we also reset our net worth goal – having already reached out initial annual goal- and set this at $340,000.

In May we enjoyed a fabulous trip to California to visit family!

In July we enjoyed our one year anniversary and set a new 2007 stretch goal of $400k!

Miel accepted her current position in Afghanistan – changing our status to the international DINKs!

We enjoyed a fabulous vacation in Hawaii where the best things are free!

September was marked with enjoying more dinners at home together and romantic things like looking at our budget and drafting wills and power of attorney docs in preparation for Miel’s departure to Kabul.

We also started to have our own sub-prime meltdown with prosper.

We set our current finance goal of paying off our second mortgage of $20,187.28.

Over the last couple of months we’ve adjusted to some of the financial implications of our long distance marriage.

Miel and James finished the year with a total increase of 26% in their wealth.

Looking back at a year of blogging it doesn’t appear that our financial lives are too sexy, but we seem to be making steady progress. The biggest change over the last year is that it really feels that we’ve moved on from the stage of being newlyweds to an established marriage. We’ve certainly managed to work out many of our quirks. In the last year of posts I was only able to find one true financial argument; about buying an ottoman!

I know we are both looking forward to what 2008 may bring. Next we can’t wait for our first vacation as a long distance couple in Switzerland for Valentine’s Day! We’ve bought the tickets and now it’s all set. Wish us luck!

Miel & James

MANAGE YOUR MONEY TOGETHER

Here are some simple guidelines for DINKS to build wealth:

1) Collaborate: Meet regularly to talk about money, set goals together, track and monitor them.

2) Understand and respect your partner. Take time to understand your partners values about money.

3) Watch the numbers. Get a budget, monitor your spending and track your net worth.

4) Max your retirement. Maximize contributions to your tax deferred retirement accounts.

5) Invest in stock. Stocks perform better than bonds or cash.

6) Avoid high interest debt. Credit cards and title loans are financial cancer.

7) Diversify. Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

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