Our results to date are reported on a monthly basis on the “Score” table on the Home page. We give you the current total value of TheMonopolyProject (TMP) as a combination of cash held (bank deposits) and the estimated value of the real estate owned (REO).

To determine how well TMP project is doing we compare it to the other financial investments we could have made with the $100,000. This is known as the ‘opportunity cost’. Note that we could also consider other, non-financial investment uses for the $100,000. We will discuss that later. Life is not all about optimizing financial outcomes in this kingdom.

We started TMP on March 1, 2019. For the month of March 2019, all 10 investments have the same nominal value, $100,000.

Now, at the end of May 2019, we have our updated results, the “Score”.

How did we do? Not well. We are 9th place beating only VTSAX which had a terrible month. We’ve fallen below our original $100,000 deposit for two reasons: start-up expenses (we recognized costs for LLC formation, ordering checks) and, spoiler alert, we had two offers accepted in May. Each required a $2,000 earnest money deposit which still gets credited to TMP since it is fully refundable. But along with the earnest money, we are accruing expenses such a home inspection, termite inspection and such.

If we look at the detailed accounting, we show $4,000 for two earnest money payments. We still haven’t bought a house, so the REO shows as “0 SFH”, but there is a $4,000 credit there to reflect the two earnest money payments.

So, who’s the big winner in the Financial League? Who’s number one? First place in June 2019 is still Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund Admiral Shares, a REIT, another real estate investment option. But Gold came roaring back to 3rd place, making up the previous losses and then some. The big loser was VTSAX, the broad-based stock market fund. It lost all its gains and then some. But keep in mind, that these are all short-term fluctuations in these markets. Here at TMP, we are long term (10 years or more) investors.

And next month we’ll buy our first house!