Good Money Blog

• Net Worth
  Our net worth was up 2.2% (+$3,788) as we spent within our budget and didn’t travel during the Independence Day weekend. We did enjoy the free fireworks display in town.
• Bank and Cash Accounts
  I understand that I should only put money I won’t need in 5 years in the stock market. As I’m pondering about my short-term goals (possible relocation/new baby/bigger house), I’m keeping my cash at a very high level ($41K). The majority of the cash is now sitting at high-yield savings accounts such as HSBC Direct (3.50% APY) and E*Trade Bank (3.30% APY).
• Other Assets
  That’s not a Zillow estimate but the price we paid ($201K) two years ago. Zestimate for our house is currently 5% higher than our purchase price.
• Investment Accounts
  • CDs
    I redeemed my 9-month CD from Countrywide Bank and immediately paid off the total balance ($22K) of the 0% APR credit card balance transfer offer. My credit score should be expected to jump back to the 780-800 range soon.
  • I-Bonds
    I have some I-Bonds ($10K) bought in April 2008 (~4.43% APY).
  • Portfolios
    In July, our retirement portfolios rebounded a bit (+2.1% vs. S&P 500: -0.7%), and the 401(k) and Roth IRA accounts ($74K) are on track to be maximized this year. To construct a fun portfolio, I opened a new taxable account at Zecco (10 free trades every month) with an initial amount of $5,000. I anticipate holding 5 to 10 ETFs/stocks at a time.
• Credit Cards
  I paid almost all my expenses ($0.9K) with my favorite cash rebate credit cards, Chase Freedom (3% cash back in top 9 categories) and Chase Business Cash Rewards (3% cash back at gas stations,  restaurants, and home improvement stores). The total balance is to be paid off at the end of the billing cycle.
• Loans
  We still have 20 some years to go on our mortgage ($156K).

• Household
  We finally spent a portion of our $1,200 stimulus payment at Lowe’s. The garden now looks more lively with some new plants.