Picking up Nickels

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

December 2017 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on December 11th, 2017:


Asset Nov
2017
Dec
2017
Change
Checking 810 862 52
Money Market 65,141 64,358 -783
Savings Bonds 137,283 137,560 277
Treasury Bills 0 0 0
CDs 41,788 41,901 113
Brokerage 156,473 160,799 4,326
401k 163,693 164,119 426
Roth IRA 141,324 144,239 2,915
SEP IRA 691,824 715,362 23,538
529 Savings 167,918 170,066 2,148



Total Assets $1,566,254 $1,599,266 $33,012
   
 
2.11%


As is the recent norm, the S&P 500 continues to hit all time highs since the last update, rising 2.92% during that time:

(chart courtesy of google.com)

On the jobs front, the unemployment rate for November remained at 4.1%, with a strong 220,000 jobs created. Oil prices are up slightly to the $58 level (up from $57), while local gas prices continue to be pretty stable ($2.39 at my last fillup). One thing that I find interesting about stock market performance in 2017: it's global. While the S&P 500 index is up 18.81% YTD, the bulk of my international equity exposure (recently moved to Vanguard Institutional Total International Stock Market Index Trust courtesy of a former employer's 401k) is up 24.6% YTD. My international equities have seemed somewhat stagnant as compared to US equities over the past few years, so IMO it is a good sign that the rest of the world seems to be joining the party.

On the financial front, my asset levels have reached an all-time high for the THIRTEENTH month in a row, breaking the previous high from November 2017. I did make an additional 2017 SEP IRA contribution since the last update and I will likely take a final distribution from my S Corp now that my 2017 revenue numbers are pretty much finalized. And if anyone hasn't done so already, this month would be a great time to max out a 2017 I Bond purchase. :)

As for the non-financial, my eldest child has already received a college acceptance (hopefully the first of many)! It's hard to believe that little baby I could hold in one hand almost eighteen years ago is on the cusp of becoming an adult and starting college. I can't believe how quickly that time seemed to pass. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

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