April 2026 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on April 10th, 2026:

Asset	Mar 2026	Apr 2026	Change
Checking	2,935	2,037	-898
Money Market	84,661	81,036	-3,625
Savings Bonds	265,049	265,845	796
Treasurys	136,000	136,000	0
CDs	74,495	74,724	229
Brokerage	526,618	503,317	-23,301
401k	602,033	610,672	8,639
Roth IRA	409,623	414,775	5,152
IRA	1,731,368	1,742,446	11,078
529 Savings	167,925	168,175	250
Total Assets	$4,000,707	$3,999,027	-$1,680
			-0.04%

The S&P 500 is somehow up a bit despite the head of our government claiming "a whole civilization will die tonight" last week, rising 0.52% (-0.42% YTD) since the last update:

(chart courtesy of cnbc.com)

On the jobs front, the monthly employment rate for March fell to 4.3%, with 178,000 new jobs created. Oil prices are up to the $97 level (up 10% from $86), with that price reflected in a local unleaded regular gasoline price of $3.89 (up from $3.09) and a heating oil price of $4.50 (up from $3.05) at my last fill-up. I wouldn't be surprised to see $6 heating oil later this year if the war-induced supply disruptions continue.

On the financial front, I again skipped my usual Fidelity 401k transaction (FSKAX) and Vanguard VTI purchase in my taxable brokerage account because I am not comfortable adding to our equity holdings at this time. I did take an S Corp distribution and my T-Bill holdings automatically rolled into new ones: 13 week 3.652% -> 3.704%, 4 week 3.686% -> 3.681%, and 8 week 3.701% -> 3.645%. I'm also going to be monitoring the 5 year TIPS auction later this month (CUSIP 91282CQP9) for a potential purchase in my work retirement plan.

As for the non-financial, springtime has finally arrived after a cold and snowy winter. Mrs. Frugalson and I have already started with yard cleanup and lawn and garden prep for the upcoming planting season. We're already due for a patch of really warm weather this week, so it's only a matter of time before we'll be dining outside, taking a summer vacation, and enjoying beach season. If nothing else, I'll at least be happy for the distraction from the never ending circle of chaos our country seems to be experiencing.

March 2026 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on March 10th, 2026:

Asset	Feb 2026	Mar 2026	Change
Checking	3,464	2,935	-529
Money Market	84,849	84,661	-188
Savings Bonds	264,317	265,049	732
Treasurys	136,000	136,000	0
CDs	74,301	74,495	194
Brokerage	552,095	526,618	-25,477
401k	608,646	602,033	-6,613
Roth IRA	412,276	409,623	-2,653
IRA	1,745,218	1,731,368	-13,850
529 Savings	168,258	167,925	-333
Total Assets	$4,049,424	$4,000,707	-$48,717
			-1.20%

The S&P 500 has pulled back a bit courtesy of our "Major Combat Operation" in Iran, falling 2.31% (-0.94% YTD) since the last update:

(chart courtesy of cnbc.com)

On the jobs front, the monthly unemployment number for February rose to 4.4%, with a disappointing 92,000 jobs lost. Oil prices are up to the $86 level (+32.5% from $65) after a weekend spike of $116, with that price reflected in a local unleaded regular gasoline price of $3.09 (up from $2.59) at my last fill-up. I'm also wondering if my next heating oil delivery will cost $2 per gallon more ($3.65 -> $5.85) like it did after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

On the financial front, I again skipped my usual Fidelity 401k transaction (FSKAX) and Vanguard VTI purchase in my taxable brokerage account because I am not comfortable adding to our equity holdings at this time. I did take an S Corp distribution and my T-Bill holdings automatically rolled into new ones: 13 week 3.813% -> 3.694%, 4 week 3.691% -> 3.686%, and 8 week 3.640% -> 3.701%. Mrs. Frugalson and I also maxed out our 2025 Roth IRA contributions since our tax returns are complete.

As for the non-financial, the three feet of snow we got during the Blizzard of 2026 has melted quite a bit over the past couple of weeks and I can start to see all of the downed trees and branches that I need to clean up. I'm going to try to enjoy the warming weather as I sadly recon with all of the needless chaos, death, and destruction unfold in the Middle East.

February 2026 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on February 10th, 2026:

Asset	Jan 2026	Feb 2026	Change
Checking	2,826	3,464	638
Money Market	89,652	84,849	-4,803
Savings Bonds	263,589	264,317	728
Treasurys	136,000	136,000	0
CDs	74,080	74,301	221
Brokerage	638,042	552,095	-85,947
401k	606,097	608,646	2,549
Roth IRA	404,645	412,276	7,631
IRA	1,724,620	1,745,218	20,598
529 Savings	167,174	168,258	1,084
Total Assets	$4,106,725	$4,049,424	-$57,301
			-1.40%

The S&P 500 is still near all-time highs despite the existential threat of China eliminating all ice hockey in Canada, falling 0.31% (+1.41% YTD) since the last update:

(chart courtesy of cnbc.com)

On the jobs front, the again-delayed unemployment rate for January fell to 4.3%, with a better than expected 130,000 new jobs created. Oil prices are up to the $65 level, with that price reflected in a local unleaded regular gasoline price of $2.59 and a heating oil price of $3.05 at my last fill-up.

On the financial front, I again skipped my usual Fidelity 401k transaction (FSKAX) and Vanguard VTI purchase in my taxable brokerage account because I am not comfortable adding to our equity holdings at this time. I did take an S Corp distribution and my T-Bill holdings automatically rolled into new ones: 13 week 3.906% -> 3.684%, 4 week 3.650% -> 3.691%, and 8 week 3.927% -> 3.671%.

As for the non-financial, we've been living with more than a foot of snow on the ground for the past 2+ weeks along with some brutal cold to keep it from melting. We're very excited around here to actually have high temperatures above freezing in the extended forecast and look forward to seeing something other than a blanket of snow when we look out the window.

January 2026 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on January 13th, 2026:

Asset	Dec 2025	Jan 2026	Change
Checking	2,778	2,826	48
Money Market	83,063	89,652	6,589
Savings Bonds	262,899	263,589	690
Treasurys	136,000	136,000	0
CDs	75,400	74,080	-1,320
Brokerage	676,668	638,042	-38,626
401k	594,674	606,097	11,423
Roth IRA	394,649	404,645	9,996
IRA	1,700,441	1,724,620	24,179
529 Savings	166,089	167,174	1,085
Total Assets	$4,092,661	$4,106,725	$14,064
			0.34%

The S&P 500 has continued to perform well despite the latest attempt to interfere with the Federal Reserve, rising 1.12% (+1.72% YTD) since the last update:

(chart courtesy of cnbc.com)

On the jobs front, the monthly employment report for December fell to 4.4%, with a less than expected 50,000 new jobs created. Oil prices are up to the $61 level with widespread protests in Iran and the USA "controlling" Venezuela, with that price reflected in a local unleaded regular gasoline price of $2.49 at my last fill-up.

On the financial front, I again skipped my usual Fidelity 401k transaction (FSKAX) and Vanguard VTI purchase in my taxable brokerage account because I am not comfortable adding to our equity holdings at this time. I did take an S Corp distribution and my T-Bill holdings automatically rolled into new ones: 13 week 3.953% -> 3.652%, 4 week 3.742% -> 3.650%, and 8 week 3.927% -> 3.640%. I also opened an Alliant 4.20% APY 17 month "elevated rate" CD and a Navy Federal 4.00% APY 13 month add-on CD as a hedge against future interest rate cuts.

As for the non-financial, we finally recovered from the Christmas holiday and just had a contractor complete a modest home improvement project. Our cash balance will take a small hit, but it a was much needed job and the house looks great.

December 2025 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on December 10th, 2025:

Asset	Nov 2025	Dec 2025	Change
Checking	7,988	2,778	-5,210
Money Market	76,186	83,063	6,877
Savings Bonds	262,214	262,899	685
Treasurys	136,000	136,000	0
CDs	63,188	75,400	12,212
Brokerage	711,273	676,668	-34,605
401k	584,515	594,674	10,159
Roth IRA	390,656	394,649	3,993
IRA	1,692,658	1,700,441	7,783
529 Savings	172,578	166,089	-6,489
Total Assets	$4,097,256	$4,092,661	-$4,595
			-0.11%

The S&P 500 has been volatile, but is still up 0.79% (+17.09% YTD) since the last update:

(chart courtesy of cnbc.com)

On the jobs front, the monthly employment report for November has been delayed until next week. Oil prices have dropped to the $57 level, with that price reflected in a local unleaded regular gasoline price of $2.81 and a heating oil price of $3.20 at my last fill-up.

On the financial front, I again skipped my usual Fidelity 401k transaction (FSKAX) and Vanguard VTI purchase in my taxable brokerage account because I am not comfortable adding to our equity holdings at this time. I did take an S Corp distribution and my T-Bill holdings automatically rolled into new ones: 13 week 4.144% -> 3.813%, 4 week 3.940% -> 3.742%, and 8 week 4.150% -> 3.927%. I also completed a final Fidelity 529 to Vanguard Roth IRA rollover to max out the 2025 Roth IRA contributions for all of my children.

As for the non-financial, we had a nice family Thanksgiving and while the cold weather has come early we are looking forward to having a little time off to celebrate the Christmas holiday.

November 2025 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on November 10th, 2025:

Asset	Oct 2025	Nov 2025	Change
Checking	1,970	7,988	6,018
Money Market	75,364	76,186	822
Savings Bonds	261,516	262,214	698
Treasurys	136,000	136,000	0
CDs	62,977	63,188	211
Brokerage	804,534	711,273	-93,261
401k	558,913	584,515	25,602
Roth IRA	376,944	390,656	13,712
IRA	1,675,263	1,692,658	17,395
529 Savings	171,535	172,578	1,043
Total Assets	$4,125,016	$4,097,256	-$27,760
			--0.67%

Today we celebrate Veterans Day, a salute to all who served our country and protected our freedom. Thank you.

The S&P 500 has continued to rise despite the ongoing government shutdown, rising 4.27% (+16.17% YTD) since the last update:

(chart courtesy of cnbc.com)

On the jobs front, the monthly unemployment rate wasn't released for the second month due to the government shutdown, while Goldman Sachs has a gloomy estimate of 50,000 lost jobs in October. Oil prices are up slightly to the $60 level, with that price reflected in a local unleaded regular gasoline price of $2.75 at my last fill-up.

On the financial front, I again skipped my usual Fidelity 401k transaction (FSKAX) and Vanguard VTI purchase in my taxable brokerage account because I am not comfortable adding to our equity holdings at this time. I did take an S Corp distribution and my T-Bill holdings automatically rolled into new ones: 13 week 4.268% -> 3.906%, 4 week 4.099% -> 3.940%, and 8 week 4.230% -> 4.150% -> 3.978%. I also completed a Fidelity 529 to Vanguard Roth IRA rollover to max out the 2025 Roth IRA contribution for one of my children, with another pending.

As for the non-financial, we made our annual contribution to the local food bank a bit earlier than usual this year. We've been fortunate to always have enough food to eat, but the number of people who've struggled due to a loss of SNAP benefits is eye opening.

October 2025 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on October 10th, 2025:

Asset	Sep 2025	Oct 2025	Change
Checking	5,093	1,970	-3,123
Money Market	66,647	75,364	8,717
Savings Bonds	260,871	261,516	645
Treasurys	136,000	136,000	0
CDs	62,617	62,977	360
Brokerage	872,399	804,534	-67,865
401k	553,594	558,913	5,319
Roth IRA	376,345	376,944	599
IRA	1,672,864	1,675,263	2,399
529 Savings	177,975	171,535	-6,440
Total Assets	$4,184,405	$4,125,016	-$59,389
			-1.42%

The S&P 500 has become a bit volatile of late due to a flare-up in the trade war with China, rising 0.31% (+11.41% YTD) since the last update:

(chart courtesy of cnbc.com)

On the jobs front, the unemployment rate for September wasn't released due to the government shutdown. Oil prices have continued to fall to the $58 level with that price reflected in a local unleaded regular gasoline price of $2.79 and a heating oil price of $2.90 at my last fill-up.

On the financial front, I again skipped my usual Fidelity 401k transaction (FSKAX) and Vanguard VTI purchase in my taxable brokerage account because I am not comfortable adding to our equity holdings at this time. I did take an S Corp distribution and my T-Bill holdings automatically rolled into new ones: 13 week 4.144% -> 3.953%, 4 week 4.129% -> 4.099%, and 8 week 4.230% -> 4.150%.

As for the non-financial, I don't have much going on and am getting over a surprisingly severe cold. Unfortunately I'll have to push back my flu and COVID shots back a bit, but at this point I'm just glad that they're still available.