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.

September 2025 Financial Asset Roundup

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

Asset	Aug 2025	Sep 2025	Change
Checking	2,894	5,093	2,199
Money Market	67,320	66,647	-673
Savings Bonds	260,289	260,871	582
Treasurys	136,000	136,000	0
CDs	62,248	62,617	369
Brokerage	720,824	872,399	151,575
401k	534,222	553,594	19,372
Roth IRA	365,651	376,345	10,694
IRA	1,642,417	1,672,864	30,447
529 Savings	175,532	177,975	2,443
Total Assets	$3,967,397	$4,184,405	$217,008
			+5.47%

Today is the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on our country. I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the whole thing after all these years.

The S&P 500 has been on the upswing, rising 2.49% (+11.06% YTD) and hitting all-time highs since the last update:

(chart courtesy of cnbc.com)

On the jobs front, the unemployment rate for August rose to 4.3%, with a disappointing 22,000 new jobs created. Oil prices are down a bit to the $62 level with that price reflected in a local unleaded regular gasoline price of $2.99 at my last fill-up. Market sentiment seems to point toward FOMC rate cuts with data supporting a softening job market, further complicated by the POTUS trying to remove a Fed Governor for "mortgage fraud".

On the financial front, my assets have once again hit another all-time high, surpassing the $4M milestone and the previous high from August 2025! A main driver of that was a huge gain in Oracle Corporation (ORCL) stock, who announced big cloud infrastructure-related revenues on the way on their quarterly earnings call. 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 4.356% -> 4.144%, 4 week 4.303% -> 4.354%, and 8 week 4.379% -> 4.230%. I also hedged against falling interest rates with Navy Federal EasyStart CDs that can be opened with a low minimum purchase ($50) while allowing you to add additional money at any time (3.95% APY 12 months, 3.75% APY 18 months, 3.55% APY 24 months) plus I have an Alliant 5.40% APY 17 month CD maturing shortly and will move the proceeds into an Alliant 4.10% APY 17 month "elevated rate" CD offer that I received via email

As for the non-financial, the school year has started, the temps are cooling off, and I'm excited to start my Fall lawncare feeding program. I enjoy the Fall weather quite a bit, but that also means that winter isn't far behind!

August 2025 Financial Asset Roundup

Here are my current financial assets as of the market close on August 11th, 2025:

Asset	Jul 2025	Aug 2025	Change
Checking	231	2,894	2,663
Money Market	64,580	67,320	2,740
Savings Bonds	259,724	260,289	565
Treasurys	136,000	136,000	0
CDs	62,063	62,248	185
Brokerage	698,339	720,824	22,485
401k	530,369	534,222	3,853
Roth IRA	366,843	365,651	-1,192
IRA	1,643,312	1,642,417	-895
529 Savings	174,627	175,532	905
Total Assets	$3,936,088	$3,967,397	$31,309
			+0.80%

The S&P 500 has been treading water, rising 0.23% (+8.36% YTD) since the last update:

(chart courtesy of cnbc.com)

I continue to be confused about how the stock market is as strong as it is. The most recent red flag was having the POTUS fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) after a disappointing July jobs report. I'm certainly concerned that someone unqualified will be appointed to head the BLS because they will willingly report or spin the data to fit the rosy outlook the POTUS is looking for. And if our government is unable to accept economic bad news even if it's accurate, then how can anyone trust our official employment or inflation data?

On the jobs front, the unemployment rate for July rose to 4.2%, with a disappointing 73,000 new jobs created along with May and June numbers being revised downward.. Oil prices have been somewhat flat at the $63 level with that price reflected in a local unleaded regular gasoline price of $2.89 at my last fill-up.

On the financial front, my assets have once again hit another all-time high, surpassing the previous high from July 2025! 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 4.325% -> 4.268%, 4 week 4.129% -> 4.303%, and 8 week 4.312% -> 4.379%.

As for the non-financial, we're trying to squeeze in a little more summer before the school year starts. We bought some new recreational kayaks that we're enjoying and we'll be squeezing in a relaxing weekend getaway while we still can. We're also about ready to agree to have some work done on the house, which will hopefully be done before the weather gets too cold.