November 2017 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on November 9th, 2017:

Asset	Oct 2017	Nov 2017	Change
Checking	491	810	319
Money Market	66,489	65,141	-1,348
Savings Bonds	137,015	137,283	268
Treasury Bills	0	0	0
CDs	41,671	41,788	117
Brokerage	153,160	156,473	3,313
401k	161,984	163,693	1,709
Roth IRA	139,904	141,324	1,420
SEP IRA	685,532	691,824	6,292
529 Savings	166,232	167,918	1,686
Total Assets	$1,552,478	$1,566,254	$13,776
			0.89%

The S&P 500 has once again continued to hit all time highs since the last update, rising 1.33% during that time:

(chart courtesy of google.com)

On the jobs front, the unemployment rate for October dropped to 4.1%, the lowest it has been since December 2000. Oil prices have risen to the $57 level (up from $51), while local gas prices have settled somewhat ($2.41 at my last fill-up). In other news, the Republican-controlled congress has finally announced their tax reform plans. At first glance, there doesn't seem to be much for someone like me to get excited about. I'm at least pleased that they have apparently dropped the idea of raiding people's tax-deferred retirement savings to help offset the costs of tax cuts.

On the financial front, my asset levels have reached an all-time high for the TWELFTH month in a row, breaking the previous high from October 2017. I don't have any immediate money moves planned and don't anticipate any surprises like the last great Penfed CD rate deal (Penfed 3.04% APY 5 year CD) from four years ago. Lets just say that I'm not holding my breath.

As for the non-financial, the eldest of the young Frugalsons has been hitting the college application process pretty hard. SAT stores are a done deal, the FAFSA application is done, and the first round of applications have been submitted. Based on the FAFSA estimates for the Expected Family Contribution (~$70k per year), I'm not anticipating lots of help in that department. Thank goodness for our 529 savings plan balances!