Picking up Nickels

Friday, June 10, 2011

June 2011 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on June 9th, 2011:

Asset May 2011 Jun 2011 Change
Checking 1,500 2,213 713
Money Market 43,103 42,694 -409
Savings Bonds 36,931 36,991 60
Treasury Bills 0 0 0
CDs 98,121 98,537 416
Brokerage 112,724 103,145 -9,579
401k 105,621 101,063 -4,558
Roth IRA 53,350 51,296 -2,054
SEP IRA 260,926 251,505 -9,421
529 Savings 55,403 54,699 -704
Total Assets $767,679 $742,143 -$25,536
      (-3.33%)



The S&P 500 has pulled back since the last update, falling 5.02% during that time:

(chart courtesy of msn.com)

The unemployment rate for May rose for the second month in a row as it climbed to 9.1%. Oil prices have continued a modest decline, falling from about $103 per barrel to around $101 per barrel. There hasn't been much positive economic news out there lately, and the spectre of the USA falling back into recession is starting to surface. This certainly has been a painful 3+ years, that's for sure...

On the financial front, I'm waiting for the death knell to sound for the 4 year Penfed CD @6.00% APY I opened in September 2007 (*sigh* It would have been smart to open a 7 year CD at that rate back then, wouldn't it?). I'll likely put most of that cash toward some I Bonds, but that's still a poor substitute for a 6% APY. :( I'll also likely fund my 2010 SEP IRA contribution sometime next month, which should at least boost asset levels a bit despite the decline in the stock market.

That being said, I've been pretty apathetic with regard to all things personal finance-related for quite some time now. Since the recession began in December 2007, I've watched my S Corp revenues drop, my health insurance premiums and food and fuel costs continue their ongoing inflationary gains, found few attractive risk free places to put cash to work, had costly flood damage to my property, listened to revolting partisan politics on all fronts, and dealt with what seems like countless other distressing situations. While my asset levels have recovered from the recession, I'm just not feeling a lot of enthusiasm for personal finance these days. I'm thankful to be working and able to save and invest and will continue to stay the course, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. :)