Still Not Debt Free But We Are On The Way to $2 Million Net Worth
June 2025 is now over, and thank God for the rebound. For a second there, bombs were flying over the Middle East while the Elon War was surging.
Since 2024, Inflation has tentatively cooled. Investments made a major pivot from 2022 and entered the rocky tariff zone of 2025. The current administration delayed tariff escalations until July 9th, and it seems like everyone is playing safe again. We aren’t out of the storm yet.
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The Big Winners?
Big winners for 2025 thus far are those who bought the dip in April. Tourism is up again, with nearly $3 billion stimulating the European market, post-Bezos Wedding. Other winners include Bitcoin owners, even if Bitcoin is fake money
Nvidia $NVDA once again carried the market for about two weeks. The stock soared 17% crossing the $3 trillion market capitalization mark. So far, Nvidia continues to contend for number 2 while Microsoft reigns supreme. US households collectively owe north of $18 trillion in debt (refer to Household Debt and Credit Report – Q1 2025). A troubling number, as the Big Beautiful Bill (#BigBackBill) threatens to add even more red to the ledger.
We are in an active DEBT spiral while prices soar and consumerism remains unabated. This is not a drill. The Fed Reserve continues to eye long-term prospects for rate cuts as early as September. The problem remains stuck behind late-night Trump tweets and temper tantrums. At this stage, I don’t know when Trump sleeps. This guy is a machine compared to the rest of us. His six months in office feel like a marathon of pure, unrelenting exhaustion. It’s only been six months; we have 3.5 years to go. The gamble falls into 2026. Once the 2025 dust settles, we will be free.
With all the bases loaded, we are on the way to the end of another year with the market north of +8%. We’ve dodged the recession (again). Time is flying. If you didn’t get the memo, “We have six months to get active.” With half the year gone, it’s important to look back. You might not like what you see, but greet the news with gusto. It’s OK to take inventory. Summer prices are going to heat up, yet the journey continues.
The TNFG household made $50,000 in debt payments while being short of $40,000 in investment contributions during the 1st half of 2025. Even those moves added $90,000 directly to our net worth. In total, we netted +$227,004 YTD. We will break the data down further.
Half-Time Rally – Time to Build Wealth and Pay Bills
It’s unsettling how most months fly by in a maelstrom of confusion, politics, finances, and stress. I highly recommend that you take a mental health break whenever possible to recalibrate and allow yourself to heal.
For the last five years, I warned people of high prices. It wasn’t until we took the trip to Switzerland and Portugal that I noticed these tariff prices are global. Meaning what costs us more in the US causes prices to trickle upward elsewhere. We are definitely in the same global economy. Those high prices were primarily spurred by global demand, which increased the need for higher interest rates. This culminated in high loan payments.
The median new car loan is pushing $1,000 per month. I should know since we purchased a new car in 2023. The price tag was over $50,000, with the monthly payments of $893.59. To make matters worse, the insurance adds another $266 per month. While you don’t have to buy a $50,000 car, you will have to buy sooner rather than later. In the US, the average age of vehicles has reached a record high of 12.8 years in 2025.
My problems aside, I can tell you that prices aren’t going down. Price inflation (the rate of increase) is slowing down; however, this isn’t Disinflation. Meaning prices aren’t going to roll back. More people are vying for the same products with less supply, which equals higher prices.
So, will we be consumer debt-free?
Minus the car loan, maybe. But we say that every year. Things break, and repairs pop up. From car purchases, AC repairs, and Roof repairs, things get tacked on. Our recent trip through Switzerland and Portugal cost around $15,000. We still haven’t figured it out yet. My wife says $16,000. I say $14,000.
At some point, we found ourselves throwing money out of the window to see if it sticks. Prices for hotels have been red hot this year. Overtourism might be a thing, especially with influencers telling everyone about our favorite locations. Even with our travel for the year nearing $30,000, our investments are also growing.
The old adage is true; buy the assets on the front end, so you don’t have to worry about wealth on the back end. My wife and I were making money while hiking Lauterbrunnen. Pivot and create breathing space.
Your budget and goals must stay flexible. Never know when an unexpected cost may pop up. Try not to overspend in the interim, especially when times are good. Prep now, pay off what you can, and invest the difference. You don’t have to spend all the money that you earn.
With all that said, our household managed to reach $1.85 million in net worth. There is a chance of getting to $2 million to close out the year.
Quick financial tips
The only intuitive way to stop bleeding financially is to buy or spend less through the end of 2025. If you have loose change, invest more while the market is down, because millionaires are born during recessions and downturns. Additionally, if you have student loans, stay glued to the Big Back Bill’s Federal Student Loan reform changes. Read the Department of Education’s Press Releases and ask questions.
One big lesson to consider is that if you have your money in a savings account at the bank for 0.01% while inflation is at 3% for the year, it means you are losing Negative 2.99% of your hard-earned money annually. While banks are even dishing out more dividends to their investors.
As of July 3, 2025, JP Morgan & Chase’s $JPM is up 23.15% over one year vs the Chase Savings℠ account interest rate is 0.01% APY (effective 7/03/2025). I wish I were making this up. And it doesn’t include the dividend yield of 1.89% quarterly. You would have made more money with invested your money in the company instead of in the product.
Can’t say I didn’t warn you; you can’t save your way into wealth.
Here are our 2025 Total Debt Repayments YTD
Table 1. TNFG Mid-Year Debt Repayment Recap 2025
| Credit Card Payments | Interest Incurred minus CC Rewards | Mortgage Principal Repayments | Auto Loan Repayments | Total Payments | |
| January | $2,712 | -$391 | $0 | $716 | $3,037 |
| February | $6,640 | $172 | $950 | $713 | $8,474 |
| March | $14,018 | $230 | $1,050 | $738 | $16,563 |
| April | $6,771 | $176 | $1,000 | $730 | $8,686 |
| May | $7,112 | $554 | $1,000 | $739 | $9,449 |
| June | $5,178 | -$16 | $1,000 | $689 | $7,541 |
| Total | $42,431 | $725 | $5,000 | $4,325 | $52,481 |
How much have we invested to boost our net worth as of June 2025
Grand Total (a clean) $40,850 (Refer to Table #2). While the global pandemic has become old news, the world is still looking over our shoulder at Russia vs Ukraine, and the unstable Middle East. The Federal Reserve is aiming for further rate cuts, but we have to get through the political noise.
Only the future will tell, however, I suspect that a rate cut won’t come until Q1 2026. Either way, “Can’t debt freedom your way into wealth.” You have to have a great strategy that incorporates both debt repayment and investing. This is why I share the Net Max Financial Plans for FREE.
Table 2. TNFG Mid-Year Monthly Investment Recap 2025
| Employer Investments | Additional Invts. Contributions | Total Investments | Monthly Investment Performance Growth | |
| January | $4,750 | $6,000 | $10,750 | -0.39% |
| February | $4,750 | $2,000 | $6,750 | -3.34% |
| March | $4,750 | $2,000 | $6,750 | -5.33% |
| April | $4,750 | $1,250 | $6,000 | +0.46% |
| May | $4,750 | $600 | $5,350 | +11.28% |
| June | $4,750 | $500 | $5,250 | +6.77% |
| Total | $28,500 | $12,350 | $40,850 | +6.95% |
Celebrating the Next Half after Surviving the First Half
TNFG’s monthly Net Worth Breakdown for June 2025 was wild.
Pending rental conversion and travel expenses are pushing us hard, but the market is pushing back. Our investment performance for the year so far is solid. We will happily take the 7% instead of a recession. Refer to the annual performance graph above.
Over five years, we are hitting over 195.42 percent over the SP’s 103.82% for the same period (6/1/2020 to 6/30/2025). That’s an average annualized return of 39.08%. Not too bad for long-term investors.
Bonus for all the readers, if you want to get a near-accurate view of the TNFG Investment Portfolio with all the holdings, click because it’s blue. It will send you to the Google Sheets view. People ask, and I always deliver on transparency.
Pushing FWD into our next trip to close out the Year
First, I would like to express my gratitude. This year, we were not hit with extreme expenses. The extended winter was a bit strenuous for me since I had to return to the office. Recalibrating food and scheduling. We came back from the mid-year trip. One more trip to Brazil remains for December 2025.
My wife and I are finding synergy (along with Brownie, our dog). With new renters for the upcoming academic year, we will have to update all the leasing agreements and turnover. The back half of the year is a gamble, but we are here for it with gratitude.
Here’s the Quick June 2025 Summary:
What Happens Next!
“We are in the end game,” referencing the Avengers’ blockbuster movie. In more ways than one, 2025 was a readjustment, but we are making strides to get to the $2 million net worth mark.
June 2025 ended with +5.61 percent. The cash value growth of $103,611. Investments rebounded better than Dennis Rodman in the ’90s. Now we are hoping for a solid July and August (+10%) investment performance.
Our Expenses so far Mid-Year 2025
It was Mrs. Birthday Month!
Credit to the wifey for keeping expenses and excursions low. After that, it was long hikes and better food in Switzerland. Beyond that, we finally got a slight hold on our food costs. I’m changing my diet radically in Q3. You need to eat less to lose weight and build energy.
The hope is that we establish a baseline for the next six months.
Our goal is to prepare to purchase a new home in 2026-2027. Every adjustment helps, especially since we are looking at $30,000 worth of renovations (in our primary). This should up the value, and it is looking like a $200,000 tax-free profit when we sell.
Give it (your budget) room. Eat out a little and ease back on the journey. Your budget should work ‘with’ you and for you.
Deeper Dive into the June Net Worth Numbers
Credit cards are being repaid, and our FICO scores are higher
Will Investments Continue to Rebound? (For Now)
We currently have an investment portfolio of $1,145,000+. FAT FIRE range if we keep this momentum through 2026.
In the second half, we are rebalancing some index ETFs. I think the back half of 2025 might yield an extra +7 percent. Time will tell. If you need tips on how to set up a solid portfolio, read How to Build a Long-Term Investment Portfolio Earning 250%.
So, what are our next steps for 2025?
What’s the deal for July?
Preparing for the southwest trip in August. The summer heat is not going to play so way more sunrays to acclimate. Making micro changes to our investments in anticipation of the downturn in Q3 2024.
Beyond that, here are our overarching goals for 2025:
- Keeping our expenses where they should be by “Not equating happiness and social acceptance based on the money you spend.“
- Get to $100,000 in M1 Finance (by YE 2025) focusing on Growth and Dividend Income that generates at least +$3,000 in passive income by year-end. Check out the portfolio in real-time. If you like the platform and want to start investing, I have the $10 for $10 referral if you need it – https://m1.finance/SYdqDJ2SyADC.
- Shooting for a sustained investment rate with the push for a $2 million net worth by January 2026. To help monitor your savings, cash flow, net worth, investments, retirement, and more FREE with Personal Capital! Sign up with my link & get a $20 Amazon gift card. *Terms apply. https://pcap.rocks/lawrencegonz
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