Picking up Nickels

Monday, January 12, 2015

January 2015 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on January 9th, 2015:


Asset Dec
2014
Jan
2015
Change
Checking 2,089 1102 -987
Money Market 48,279 58,336 10,057
Savings Bonds 93,019 93,164 145
Treasury Bills 0 0 0
CDs 63,775 49,679 -14,096
Brokerage 130,288 135,458 5,170
401k 131,870 129,374 -2,496
Roth IRA 99,881 99,479 -402
SEP IRA 480,718 482,116 1,398
529 Savings 114,452 115,944 1,492



Total Assets $1,164,371 $1,164,652 $281
   
 
0.02%


The S&P 500 had been up a bit since the last update despite some volatility, rising 0.92% during that time:

(chart courtesy of yahoo.com)

On the jobs front, the unemployment rate for December fell to 5.6%, solidifying 2014 as the best year for job growth since 1999. Oil prices have continued to fall from $60 to about $47, with a Saudi Prince stating that $100 oil may be gone for good. I'm wondering if I'll actually get to see my gasoline and heating oil costs fall below $2 per gallon for the first time in almost six years. :)

On the financial front, my Penfed 3.5% APY 5 year CD matured earlier this month. I used some of that cash to make 2014 Federal and state estimated tax payments and with few other options I will probably use the rest of the balance for mortgage prepayment. Unfortunately, I have another Penfed 3.5% APY 5 year CD ready to mature in March, and I'll probably end up using some of that cash for a 2015 Series I savings bond purchase.

As for the rest, my next task is to focus on 2014 corporate and personal tax return prep. Hopefully the estimated tax payments I just made will help keep any surprises to a minimum. ;)