If you invest in stocks, you know that they go up and down. Below is an S&P 500 histogram (source) showing the distribution of annual returns, which were negative 1/3rd of the time (and thus positive 2/3rd of the time). Not bad, you'll take those … [Read the rest]
Here's my monthly roundup of the best interest rates on cash for January 2019, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. Check out my Ultimate Rate-Chaser Calculator to get an idea of how much extra interest you'd earn if you are moving … [Read the rest]
Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) usually offers a special balance transfer promotion every January that is available to both new and existing NFCU credit cardholders. This year, I don't see anything on their website, but I did just get a paper … [Read the rest]
Here's my final quarterly portfolio update for Q4 2018. This is how I track my real-world holdings, including 401k/403b/IRAs and taxable brokerage accounts but excluding our house, cash reserves, and a few side investments. The goal of this … [Read the rest]
Another one in the books! I don't track the market daily as I think the discussion is full of noise and after-the-fact justifications. I check my portfolio quarterly to see where to reinvest dividends. At the end of the year, I like to record … [Read the rest]
Update: This offer is sold out/expired. I expect some sort of similar short-term deal to pop up again before April 15th. The benefit of “old-school” desktop tax software is that it doesn’t require your Social Security Number and financial details … [Read the rest]
I've been catching up on some memoirs and recently finished Wild by Cheryl Strayed. (I haven't seen the movie.) I mention it here because the author did a "Big Awesome Thing" in hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and I think achieving financial freedom … [Read the rest]
ETA (Executive Travel App) is an app that scans your calendar to automatically suggest travel options (hotels, flights, Uber) based on your calendar and personal travel preferences. They still have a new user offer of 3,000 United or American … [Read the rest]
Movies Anywhere is running an anniversary promotion where you can get three free streaming movies for syncing two more accounts. The Martian, Happy Feet, and Fast and Furious 8. You can even get these free titles if you already have a 5 (add 1 … [Read the rest]
I don't really enjoy talking about stock market movements, but given that it has been the most common reader question recently and I wanted to start answering more reader questions, here we are. My overall take is the same: In the short term, … [Read the rest]
I just wanted to take a moment and thank you for reading My Money Blog. I am grateful for your time and attention and hope that I provided something of value in exchange. I hope that your year has been bountiful and that you have enjoyed both … [Read the rest]
Each December, I run the numbers to see how much more I can contribute to my Self-Employed 401k plan, aka Solo 401k or Individual 401k. Fidelity, Vanguard, and Dinkytown (used below) have calculators to figure out contribution limits to various … [Read the rest]
The Best Credit Card Bonus Offers – 2026
Big List of Free Stocks from Brokerage Apps
Best Interest Rates on Cash - 2026
Free Credit Scores x 3 + Free Credit Monitoring
Best No Fee 0% APR Balance Transfer Offers
Little-Known Cellular Data Plans That Can Save Big Money
How To Haggle Your Cable or Direct TV Bill
Big List of Free Consumer Data Reports (Credit, Rent, Work)