Net Worth Update August 2025 🌴

New month, new check-in. After July 2025’s update, August was calm: no holidays, lots of work, and a family barbecue. Next holidays are in October (the bookings are already giving me a headache 😅), so I kept spending under control and stayed disciplined.

My short-term goal remains clear: raise the ETF allocation steadily, month by month. The FIRE dream stays in the background, but let’s be realistic: I still carry too much debt to seriously pursue it right now. The practical priority is twofold: keep investing regularly in ETFs and pay down the “bad” liabilities.

Total Assets CHF 75’645.95
Total “bad” Liabilities CHF 90’076.39

Portfolio breakdown (illustrative only)

For the pie charts I used a simplified visual estimate (for display only): EUR≈CHF and USD≈CHF. Exact amounts are shown in the tables below.

Assets breakdown
  • Life insurance – € 44,015.66
  • Crowdfunding – CHF 16,210.97
  • Managed funds – CHF 8,000.00
  • ETFs – € 3,489.26
  • Crypto – $ 1,518.73
  • Stocks – $ 1,502.37
  • Miscellaneous – € 908.96
  • Robo-invest – CHF 201.45
“Bad” liabilities breakdown
  • Bank loan (CHF) – CHF 53,930.00
  • Car leasing – CHF 15,451.20
  • Credit cards – CHF 14,824.00
  • Bank loan (EUR) – € 5,871.19

Assets detail

ETFs remain the backbone of my strategy: low cost, broad diversification, and simplicity. In August I avoided extra spending and kept my dollar-cost averaging going. The rest of the assets are life insurance (meaningful but illiquid), crowdfunding, managed funds, and small—more volatile—positions (crypto and single stocks).

CategoryAmount
Life insurance€ 44,015.66
CrowdfundingCHF 16,210.97
Managed fundsCHF 8,000.00
ETFs€ 3,489.26
Crypto$ 1,518.73
Stocks$ 1,502.37
Miscellaneous€ 908.96
Robo-investCHF 201.45
Total AssetsCHF 75’645.95

“Bad” liabilities detail

This is where the real work happens: reducing debt. The Swiss bank loan is the biggest chunk, followed by car leasing and credit cards, plus a smaller euro loan. The goal is clear: lower interest costs and free up cash for ETFs. As long as debt stays high, FIRE is inspiring—but not an operational priority.

ItemAmount
Bank loan (CHF)CHF 53,930.00
Car leasingCHF 15,451.20
Credit cardsCHF 14,824.00
Bank loan (EUR)€ 5,871.19
Total “bad” liabilitiesCHF 90’076.39
Color legend — Assets: Life insurance, Crowdfunding, Funds, ETFs, Crypto, Stocks, Misc, Robo-invest. Liabilities: Bank loan (CHF), Car leasing, Credit cards, Bank loan (EUR).

What I did in August (and why it matters)

August was deliberately ordinary. Staying home cut non-essential spending while keeping good habits: automatic monthly ETF contributions, monitoring interest costs, and no new debt. These quiet months don’t make headlines, but they stabilise the course and make compounding predictable.

The plan for the coming months is simple: keep the recurring ETF buys (even in small amounts), keep pushing down costly liabilities, and pre-budget October’s expenses so I don’t break the investing rhythm.

Short-term plan: more ETFs, less interest

  • Keep the PAC/auto-invest on global ETFs as the core.
  • Reduce credit card balances to cut interest.
  • Monitor the main bank loan conditions (renegotiate rate if feasible).
  • Build a buffer for October without pausing recurring ETF buys.

Conclusion

August 2025 closes as a month of quiet discipline. No fireworks, just many small steps in the right direction: more awareness, tighter spending control, and a simple strategy to repeat. FIRE remains the north star, but right now getting debt in order comes first. Each month like this strengthens the foundations for the next update.

Net Worth Update July 2025

Focus keyphrase: net worth update July 2025

Net Worth Update – July 2025

It’s official: this net worth update July 2025 is late. I blame the heat. July felt like writing on a stovetop, so I escaped to Italy for my usual end-of-month break — sun, food, family and zero spreadsheets. Now I’m back, slightly tanned, fully caffeinated, and ready to face the numbers. For context, here’s the June 2025 update.

Assets — CHF 74,277.04

Brick by brick, the asset side is growing. It’s still a compact village rather than a metropolis, but it’s mine — and it’s diversified enough to sleep at night.

Life Insurance — CHF 43,221.86 58%
Crowdfunding — CHF 16,210.97 21.8%
Managed Funds — CHF 7,800.00 10.5%
ETFs — CHF 3,178.90 4.3%
Crypto — CHF 1,500.09 2%
Stocks — CHF 1,456.26 2%
Miscellaneous — CHF 908.96 1.2%
Roboinvest — CHF 181.45 tiny

The heavy lifter remains life insurance, a slow-and-steady core. Crowdfunding holds a meaningful second place — riskier, but tangible. Managed funds keep things boring (in a good way). I plan to expand the ETF slice over time — my favorite long-term engine. Crypto and single stocks stay intentionally small to control volatility, while the misc and roboinvest parts are rounding errors, included for transparency.

Liabilities — CHF 91,321.19

Now the reality check. Bad debts are still heavy, led by one very obvious champion. The chart makes the point better than I can.

The bank loan (CHF) is the monster that sets the scale for everything else. Leasing and credit cards fight for third place in my monthly attention, while the EUR loan adds currency friction to the mix. None of this is pretty, but all of it is moving in the right direction month after month.

Real Estate: Mortgage Paid vs Remaining

This donut refers only to my real estate financing (apartment mortgage), not to the consumer debts above. So far I’ve paid CHF 36,162.86 — about 17.1% — while CHF 174,982.14 (or 82.9%) remains.

Paid (mortgage): 17.1%

Remaining (mortgage): 82.9%

It feels like a long hike: the summit still looks far, but the altimeter is ticking upward. Two rules guide me right now: consistency over intensity, and simplicity over cleverness.

July Thoughts: Heat, Delay, Perspective

July was defined by a heatwave and a slow rhythm. The Italian break helped me reset, remember what I’m doing this for, and come back more focused. Debts don’t care about excuses; they just sit there collecting interest. My job is to keep pushing, even when the timing isn’t perfect. This net worth update July 2025 is late, yes, but it’s also honest — and that’s how progress is tracked.

What I’m Doing Next

  • Gradually increasing ETF contributions to grow the long-term engine.
  • Faster repayment on credit cards to reduce high-cost drag.
  • Keeping lifestyle choices in check — even in summer — so the charts improve every month.

Final note

Late post, yes. But real numbers and a clear plan. See you in the next update — ideally not melting on the keyboard.

💼 Net Worth Update: June 2025

June was a vacation month.
I spent 10 days abroad in a hot, exotic location — maybe a little too humid, just like Switzerland lately.

Thanks to Revolut, I managed currency exchange easily and stayed within budget. ✈️

🔄 A New Investment Strategy

I finally closed my eToro account, which I had used for years to copy other investors. It worked to a point, but I wanted more control.

I quickly transferred the USD to Revolut and reinvested it directly into dividend-paying stocks:

📌 Note: This is not financial advice. I'm just sharing my own journey.

The idea is simple: reinvest all dividends monthly to build a snowball effect — even if the initial returns are small.

📊 Asset Overview

For the first time, stocks appear in my table.
Life insurances still dominate due to past mistakes — rookie errors I’ll be paying for a while.

Life Insurances€ 42,428.06
CrowdfundingCHF 16,210.97
Managed FundsCHF 7,600.00
ETF€ 2,862.86
Crypto$ 1,480.29
Stocks$ 1,410.84
Miscellaneous€ 908.96
RoboinvestCHF 161.45
Total Assets€ 72,901.98
Life Insurances – 58.1%
Crowdfunding – 22.2%
Managed Funds – 10.4%
ETF – 3.9%
Crypto – 2.0%
Stocks – 1.9%
Misc. – 1.5%

🟥 Bad Liabilities

Still painful, still here.
I'm making monthly payments, but it’ll take time. I hope to balance my investments and liabilities in 2026.

Bank Loan CHFCHF 56,530.00
Car LeaseCHF 15,984.00
Credit CardsCHF 15,630.00
Bank Loan €€ 8,226.37
Total Bad LiabilitiesCHF 96,370.37

🏠 Real Estate: The "Good" Debt

My property is stable and generating income.
Everything is on schedule. If things go well, I’d like to make a new investment in 2026.

Total Paid – 16.9%
Total Remaining – 83.1%

✈️ Final Thoughts

This time, the holiday didn’t break the bank.
Flights were paid in advance, and I stuck to a reasonable daily budget.

Next up? Winter holidays — and those might hurt more.

The road to financial freedom is long, but as I always say:
I’ll love the ending.

What Are Dividends? A Simple Guide for Beginners

What are dividends?

If you're new to investing, you've likely wondered: what are dividends? Dividends are a portion of a company’s profits that is distributed to shareholders. By purchasing shares, you become a part-owner of the company. When it performs well and generates profit, it may decide to reward investors through a dividend payment.

This payment is usually made in cash but can sometimes be offered as additional shares. Dividends are often seen as a sign of financial health. Companies that distribute them regularly tend to be well-established and profitable.

That said, not every company pays dividends. Startups and high-growth firms often reinvest their earnings to fuel expansion instead of distributing them to shareholders.

How often are dividends paid?

The frequency varies by company and country. In Switzerland, major companies like Nestlé, Novartis, and Zurich Insurance typically pay dividends once a year, after their annual general meeting. In the United States, quarterly dividends are far more common.

Some companies even pay monthly dividends, offering more frequent income for investors. A well-known example is Realty Income, a firm that has built its identity on monthly distributions. You can find regularly updated lists of monthly dividend stocks on websites like Dividend.com.

How do dividends work in Switzerland?

In Switzerland, dividends are considered capital income and must be declared in your annual tax return. Most are subject to tax, but some may be tax-exempt if they are paid from capital contribution reserves.

Additionally, there is a 35% withholding tax applied at the source. If you are a Swiss tax resident, you can reclaim this amount fully or partially through your tax declaration.

Why are dividends important?

Dividends are a key source of passive income. Even if a stock doesn't gain value, regular payouts provide investors with a tangible return. For many, this is a way to earn money consistently without selling assets.

Many investors choose to reinvest their dividends, purchasing more shares and leveraging the power of compound interest. Over time, this strategy can significantly grow your portfolio.

Furthermore, companies with consistent dividend policies are often seen as more stable and resilient. In times of economic uncertainty, they offer a level of reassurance. For anyone building a balanced, long-term investment strategy, dividend-paying stocks can be a valuable component.

SNB cuts interest rate to 0%: what it means for you

🏦 What is the SNB and why it matters

First things first: what is the SNB? The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is Switzerland’s central bank, responsible for managing the money supply and price stability. Its main tool is the interest rate, which affects how much it costs banks to borrow or store money. When the SNB cuts interest rate to 0%, as it did today, it encourages lending and economic activity. That move directly affects loans, credit cards, mortgages, and investments.

📉 Lower rates in Switzerland: what changes for loans, debt and investing

On June 19, 2025, the SNB surprised many by cutting its key interest rate to 0.0%. The aim: to fight off deflation risks and support the economy.

But what does it mean for everyday people like me, who have private loans and some credit card debt?

💸 Personal loans: time to renegotiate?

A 0% interest rate from the SNB doesn’t automatically reduce your current loan terms. But it can open the door to renegotiation. If your credit rating is good, you may be able to refinance or apply for a new loan at better rates. Swiss lenders often react quickly to central bank changes.

💳 Credit cards: no effect, unfortunately

Credit card debt is typically not tied to the SNB rate. So, even if the central rate drops, credit card interest remains high. If you're carrying a balance, it's worth exploring a debt consolidation or switching to a personal loan with fixed lower interest.

🏠 Mortgages and property: rates may fall, but prices are high

Lower base rates often lead to more attractive mortgage offers. This is good news for buyers or anyone looking to refinance. But keep in mind: Swiss property prices are already very high, and lower rates may push them even higher.

📈 When saving isn't enough: investment alternatives

With the SNB rate at 0%, traditional savings accounts offer little to no return. That’s why more people are considering dividend ETFs, REITs, or automated investment platforms like VIAC Invest, even for small monthly contributions.

⚠️ Disclaimer
This article does not constitute financial advice. The information shared here reflects personal views for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advisor before making investment decisions.

📌 Why the SNB’s rate cut is a big deal

When the SNB cuts interest rate to 0%, it sends a strong signal. It changes how banks, markets—and all of us—behave. It can help reduce loan costs, push investments, and shake up property prices. Taking action now could save you money or help you make better financial choices down the line.

Net Worth Update May 2025

Net Worth Update – May 2025

As every month, I’m sharing a new net worth update for May 2025. I’ve just returned to Switzerland after spending ten days on the other side of the world, and I’m ready to review where I stand financially.
Despite past mistakes (which I’ve written about here), I’ve decided not to give up on enjoying life. I make sure all my fixed expenses are paid first, and if there’s room in the budget, I travel. Life is short — and I want to live it.

Nothing new, and that’s perfectly fine

This month, there’s not much to report. I’ve continued investing as usual: ETFs, life insurance, and my automatic investment plan with Neon Invest.
No new moves in crypto or crowdfunding — and I don’t plan to add any in the coming months either. Right now, I’m focusing on building up my ETF positions and adding a few individual dividend-paying stocks to create monthly passive income.

Note: The values shown refer to the money I’ve personally invested, not the current market value.

My portfolio hasn’t changed much since last month (see April’s update here). Life insurance still makes up the bulk of my assets — long-term investments that remain a key part of my strategy.

Bad debt

My “bad debt” — meaning loans that don’t generate any return — remains stable. I’m making monthly payments as planned. Unfortunately, these are long-term burdens.

The one “good debt”

The only “good debt” in my portfolio is a mortgage on a property abroad. The rent helps cover the loan, making it a manageable, long-term investment. No major changes to report here either.

Conclusion

May turned out to be a calm month, and that’s already a win. I managed to enjoy my holiday without any financial slips — no credit cards, no surprise expenses, no currency exchange fees.

Over the next few months, I want to continue increasing my ETF exposure and gradually build a small portfolio of dividend-paying stocks for a modest passive income.

No step backward is already a step forward. And if I can save, invest, and still enjoy life, I must be on the right track.

Buying GTA 6 with No Budget? My Strategy as a (Small) Investor

🕹️ The hype is back

The surprise release of GTA 6's second trailer has reignited the hype around one of the most anticipated games in years. I first played GTA: Vice City when I was just 10 (yes, I know — it was rated 18+). I used to come home from school, eat lunch, fire up the PlayStation, and spend my afternoons cruising around Vice City with Flash FM playing in the background.

Today, playing a new GTA isn’t just about gaming — it’s a nostalgic dive back into adolescence.

When people say “the ‘80s had the best music,” I don’t always agree. But I get it. Music from Fever 105 or Flash FM brings back memories of simpler times: family, peace of mind, no financial worries. That’s why the upcoming release of GTA 6, set for May 26, 2026, means more to me than just a new game.

💰 No console. No budget.

I don’t even own a console today. And to be honest, I don’t have the money to buy one either. If you’ve been following my monthly financial updates here on the blog, you’ll know that every franc I earn is carefully divided between savings, debts, and small investments.

Buying a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X — plus the game — would cost me at least CHF 600. That’s a lot when you’re watching every expense.

📈 My plan: funding GTA 6 by investing in it

There are 12 monthly paychecks left until the game is released. My goal? To save the money by investing in… GTA 6.

Each month, I’ll invest CHF 50 into fractional shares of Take-Two Interactive (TTWO) — the parent company of Rockstar Games, which develops GTA.

The idea is simple: if Take-Two’s stock rises around the launch — or if they announce an online version that brings in recurring revenue — I could sell my shares and use the gains to buy the console and the game. Of course, it’s a personal bet, not a guaranteed strategy. Take-Two has already forecasted strong results, so some of that hype might already be priced in. But I believe the launch will attract enough attention to move the stock.

⚠️ Disclaimer
I’m not a financial advisor. This is not investment advice — just a personal project based on my passion for GTA and the idea of mixing nostalgia, saving, and learning about investing.

💳 Where I’ll buy the shares: Revolut

I’ll be using Revolut to buy the shares. The platform lets small investors buy fractional shares — perfect if you’re working with a tight budget.

I already use Revolut to convert part of my salary into euros and send it to other accounts. For this project, I’ll simply convert a few extra francs each month and invest them. There are some fees, but they’re low and manageable for a small-scale experiment like this.

My Net Worth Update – April 2025

As I do every month, here’s the latest update on my financial journey – this time for April 2025.

📈 Updated balance and a small win

No major shake-ups this month, but a small win worth mentioning. I contacted the customer service of my Swiss bank (the one that issued my loan in CHF) to ask how much I had left to repay. Since that info isn’t available in their app, they kindly sent me a PDF with all past transactions and interest payments.

Thanks to that, I was able to update my Excel sheet and spot a small mistake: I had overestimated the remaining loan amount. A nice surprise, even if the total is still significant.

💰 Financial situation – April 2025

On the asset side, things haven’t changed much, but my net worth has still increased by around €1,600 compared to March (read last month’s update).

I didn’t invest in any new ETFs or cryptocurrencies – not out of caution, but simply because I don’t currently have funds available to invest further.

🔍 Note: The figures shown represent the money I personally invested, not the current market value of each asset.

🧱 Breakdown of my financial structure

As in previous months, there haven’t been major changes here either. Percentages are nearly identical to March. My medium- and long-term goal remains to gradually reduce my reliance on older insurance-based investment products.

💣 "Bad" debts I want to eliminate

Even with the Excel fix, my bad debt section still weighs heavily. My main loan in CHF continues to be the biggest burden, although I pay a bit more than the minimum each month to slowly reduce interest costs.

My credit cards are another major issue – the interest rates are painfully high. Unfortunately, I still need to use them for everyday expenses. I had no other option at times.

🏡 A “good” debt: my real estate investment

The only debt I repay with some peace of mind is the monthly mortgage for a property I bought abroad. It's currently rented out, and the rent more or less covers the monthly payment. It's a long-term bet, but one I feel confident about.

🔮 Final thoughts & what's next

April was a relatively quiet month. I fixed some Excel errors, gained better insight into my numbers, and am preparing for a trip to an exotic destination at the end of May. Sadly, I couldn’t save as much as I had hoped, so one of my credit cards will probably come into play again.

This blog is my way of documenting a real-life financial recovery – with its mistakes, progress, and occasional setbacks. If even one person finds value or inspiration in my story, it will have been worth it.

🌱 It doesn’t matter where you are today. What matters is where you’re heading tomorrow.

See you next month!

Wealth Evolution: March 2025

The financial wealth evolution is a crucial step in my journey toward economic stability. This year marks the beginning of change, and although staying positive is not always easy, it is essential, given my past.

As I’ve shared before, my financial knowledge was quite limited in the past. To manage my small assets at the time, I turned to financial advisors who recommended insurance products. Unfortunately, years later, these investments have proven to be low-yield, offering minimal returns.

In recent years, I have taken charge of my investments, focusing primarily on ETFs. This choice has turned out to be effective, as some investments continue to grow month after month, providing greater stability compared to old insurance solutions.

Financial Situation in March 2025

This is the first time I share the progress of my wealth, so I won’t go into too much detail. Currently, my assets are heavily weighted toward insurance products, representing the largest share. Some contracts were signed years ago in Italy and have long-term commitments (up to 20 years), gradually increasing in value with monthly contributions.

Despite the recent crypto crash, I don’t plan to reinvest for now. Although it might seem like a good buying opportunity, I prefer to adopt a cautious approach.

This month, I have started using Revolut’s Roboinvest with small monthly contributions. This complements my existing investments with VIAC, to which I also make moderate monthly contributions.

Bad Debts

The negative part of my financial portfolio is represented by what I call “bad debts.” I will explain this term in more detail in a separate article, but essentially, these are debts that do not generate income and significantly impact my monthly salary.

Real Estate: A “Good” Debt

Before facing financial difficulties, I made some sensible decisions. When I wasn’t living in Switzerland yet, I bought an apartment, initially for personal use and later as a rental property. I consider this a “good” debt since the rental income covers the mortgage payment, resulting in a positive cash flow.

Conclusions and future

Next month I will elaborate further on my asset structure and share any news or updates. You can find my full story on the blog, where I tell how I got into this situation and how I am trying to get out of it

Thanks for reading, till next time!

Good Income, Bad Choices: My Story

In life, we all have to make choices, and unfortunately, my financial decisions have been terrible. Despite considering myself a hard worker with an average salary, greed, naivety, and a lack of basic financial knowledge led me into a difficult situation. Today, debt management and financial recovery are my primary goals because money constantly occupies my thoughts.

My Financial Situation

I am Italian and moved to Switzerland in 2017. I currently live in Central Switzerland, and my job provides an average Swiss salary. However, over the years, due to poor financial education, I made mistakes that resulted in accumulating debt through bank loans and credit cards. A significant portion of my monthly income now goes toward paying installments and interest.

Gambling: A Problem I Overcame

As if that wasn’t enough, in my attempt to quickly fix my financial issues, I turned to gambling. This only made me lose more money and worsened my financial situation. Fortunately, gambling is now a problem of the past, and I can focus on climbing out of debt and finding economic stability.

The Challenge of Living Normally

My goal is not just to resolve my financial problems but also to return to a normal life. This means cutting back on unnecessary expenses like dining out and weekend outings while still making room for meaningful experiences and travel. Life is short and should be lived to the fullest, even in challenging times.

This Is Not Financial Advice

Let me be clear: I am not giving financial advice. I don’t have the expertise to do so, and given my past, I’m far from being an example to follow. However, I will share the tools, apps, and accounts I use to save and invest, with the aim of taking back control of my finances and securing a more stable future.

A Journey of Financial Recovery

Join me on this journey of financial recovery. I’ll share every step, from mistakes to small victories, hoping that my experience can inspire or simply offer some insight to those facing similar situations.