# 2024 Year in Review: A Personal and Financial Odyssey
As 2024 draws to a close, I believe it’s crucial to contemplate the year’s happenings, both in my personal life and financial matters. This year has turned out to be a record-breaking one for numerous investors, myself included, with the S&P 500 climbing roughly 25% while the housing market has kept rising despite elevated mortgage rates. Moreover, investors in Bitcoin, gold, and venture capital have enjoyed positive returns as well.
## A Year of Surprising Gains
Looking back on my investment expectations at the beginning of 2024, I approached the year with a more cautious perspective. The majority of Wall Street analysts anticipated an S&P 500 level around 4,861, with some speculating it could reach as high as 5,500. Considering the actual growth, I estimate that at least 15% of these gains can be credited to luck. As we look ahead to 2025, predictions indicate the S&P 500 might hit approximately 6,500, and the real estate market could experience a 4% rise, suggesting we may continue on this unexpected upward path.
## Personal Growth and New Opportunities
2024 also marked a significant year of change for me personally. I transitioned from being a stay-at-home dad since 2017 to taking up part-time work at a startup for four months. After my youngest child began full-time school in September, I found myself with 40 hours of free time each week. This shift has been surprisingly smooth and fulfilling, particularly since I had already commenced consulting earlier in the year.
### Structuring My Review: Wealth, Health, Family, and Financial Samurai
In this year-end assessment, I will categorize my reflections into four main areas: Wealth, Health, Family, and my Financial Samurai blog and writing projects.
## 2024 Wealth Year in Review: A-
In terms of my overall financial well-being, approximately 28% of my net worth is invested in public equities. My technology-centric portfolio outpaced the overall market, outperforming the S&P 500 by 10% in 2024, mirroring the previous year’s performance. Nonetheless, I did lag behind by 7% during the 2022 bear market, underscoring the volatility associated with active stock investing.
Real estate accounts for about 45% of my net worth. After purchasing a new home in late 2023, my real estate holdings surged to 50% by early 2024, reaching my investment limit. San Francisco’s property prices increased nearly 4% in 2024, while San Jose experienced an 8% rise—showcasing resilience in light of climbing mortgage rates.
Commercial real estate, comprising about 6% of my assets, began to show recovery by mid-year with price gains of 5-6% after a challenging couple of years. My venture capital investments, which make up around 15% of my net worth, have thrived due to the S&P 500 rebound in 2023, particularly in high-growth AI sectors, with some investments appreciating as much as 300%.
Overall, my net worth grew between 14% and 18%, aligning neatly with the targets I established post-retirement. While feeling fortunate during this bull market has been key, I also remain very conscious of the potential risks of future market corrections.
### Financial Aspects Needing Attention
Even with a generally prosperous year, I identified several areas requiring improvement. For example, some of my children’s 529 plans did not perform well compared to the S&P 500. I plan to allocate more heavily toward equities in those accounts going forward. Additionally, I overlooked opportunities for my children to earn income, which could have enabled them to start Roth IRAs.
## 2024 Health Year in Review: A-
From a health standpoint, I was fortunate to steer clear of serious illnesses or injuries this year. My weight has stabilized, and I’ve managed to keep an active lifestyle, playing tennis and pickleball several times each week. Investing in a private sports club membership has proven beneficial for my well-being.
However, my dedication to strength training has waned, and I intend to refocus on maintaining and building muscle as I age.
## 2024 Family Year in Review: B+
Overcoming the challenges of parenting has been my greatest undertaking this year. While exhilarating, it has also strained my relationship with my wife. Nevertheless, I have spent valuable time with both children, marking significant milestones like teaching my daughter to swim and ride a bicycle.
Our family dynamics have evolved as the kids adjust to school, although I often feel the pressure of balancing work and family responsibilities. Importantly, patience remains an area for growth in my interactions with my wife.
## 2024 Financial Samurai Website and Writing Year in Review: A-
This year, I achieved important milestones with my writing endeavors. I authored over 156 posts, distributed 52 newsletters, and produced 30 podcast episodes. Despite closely monitoring my productivity to prevent burnout, I maintain a fervent passion for