My Money Blog

Best Interest Rates on Cash – February 2022 Update

Posted on February 6, 2022 // 5 Comments

Here's my monthly roundup of the best interest rates on cash as of January 2022, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. I look for lesser-known opportunities earning more than most "high-yield" savings accounts and money market funds … [Read the rest]

Amazon Prime Price Hike 2022: Save Money With Gift of Prime Membership

Posted on February 3, 2022 // 12 Comments

Amazon Prime has announced the following price increases (note that some links will show up if you are viewing this via e-mail newsletter, please read online): Starting February 18th, 2022, new members will be charged $139/year for an annual … [Read the rest]

Lafayette Federal Credit Union Review: 2.02% APY on $25,000, $100 Bonus

Posted on February 1, 2022 // 48 Comments

Update: $100 bonus is expired. Wanted to report that I am had a bad experience with LFCU after being locked out of my account for over a week. Phone hold times were very long, I got routed to a service that promised to call me back, and then never … [Read the rest]

Will Your Robo-Advisor Stay The Course? UBS Buys Wealthfront

Posted on January 27, 2022 // 4 Comments

Over time, more and more people are seeing the benefits of investing in stocks and bonds through low-cost index funds. Here is a chart from Morningstar showing the overall flow of assets out of actively-managed and into passively-managed US equity … [Read the rest]

MMB Portfolio 2021 Year-End (Late Update): Dividend and Interest Income

Posted on January 24, 2022 // 1 Comment

Here’s my (late) quarterly update on the income produced by my "Humble Portfolio". The total income goes up much more gradually and consistently than the number shown on brokerage statements (price), encouraging me as I keep plowing more of my … [Read the rest]

MMB Portfolio 2021 Year-End (Late Update): Asset Allocation & Performance

Posted on January 23, 2022 // 2 Comments

Here's my (late) quarterly update on my current investment holdings, as of 1/23/22, including our 401k/403b/IRAs and taxable brokerage accounts but excluding a side portfolio of self-directed investments. Following the concept of skin in the game, … [Read the rest]

Real-World Numbers: Investing $850 a Month Turned Into $200,000 Over 10 Years (2022 Edition)

Posted on January 18, 2022 // 6 Comments

Instead of focusing on the current hot thing, how about stepping back and taking the longer view? How would a steady investor have done over the last decade? Most successful savers invest money each year over a long period of time. Target date … [Read the rest]

Health Insurance Required to Cover Free At-Home COVID Tests Starting 1/15

Posted on January 11, 2022 // 4 Comments

If you've been facing the prospect of spending hundreds of dollars on at-home COVID tests so that you and/or your kids can go back to work/school after an exposure event, please note that starting Saturday, January 15th, health insurance companies … [Read the rest]

Chase Freedom Flex® Credit Card Review: $200 Bonus, 5% Rotating Categories, 3% Back on Dining Out, No Annual Fee

Posted on January 10, 2022 // 6 Comments

The Chase Freedom Flex® Card is the new 5% cash back rotating category card for Chase, with the notable addition of 3% cash back on dining out and drugstore purchases. All of the popular features from the old Freedom remain as well: Up to 5% cash … [Read the rest]

PSA: Ask For Extension/Credit on Expired Free Hotel Night Certificates

Posted on January 10, 2022 // 4 Comments

Many hotel rewards programs offer free night and upgrade certificates as a perk, and many of them were set to expire on December 31st. However, many programs are offering a courtesy extension and/or points credit. Some may have quietly extended … [Read the rest]

Best Interest Rates on Cash – January 2022 Update

Posted on January 9, 2022 // 5 Comments

Here's my monthly roundup of the best interest rates on cash as of January 2022, roughly sorted from shortest to longest maturities. Significant changes since last month: 7.12% Savings I Bonds annual purchase limit reset for 2022, new 2% APY LFCU … [Read the rest]

GMO: The Case For Investing in Non-US Stocks (Even Though Recent Performance Is Poor)

Posted on January 6, 2022 // 5 Comments

The GMO quarterly letter is on my recurring "must read" list, and the 2021 Q3 letter "Winners, Losers, and the Case for Owning Each" did not disappoint, including some very interesting data for the DIY investor that wants to stay informed. Here are … [Read the rest]