Happy Holidays 2018

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It has been a good year for the FP household. Here is our Christmas card, which is admittedly redundant to much of the blog.   Highlights include: Year of Medicine: Mrs FP had her gallbladder removed. FrugalChild3 had an emergency appendectomy. Mr FP broke his nose playing basketball. FrugalChild2 is allergic to everything (grass/weed/pollen/dust).FrugalChild1, FrugalChild3, … Read more

Reflections on 2018 & Plan for 2019

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Last December, I publicly posted the following 2019 goals. For the sake of public accountability, here’s how I grade myself for 2018 (bold is my grade & self assessment, non-bold is the original goal). At the end of the post I’ll include my 2019 goals. Finances Keep doing the painfully simple things that generate wealth: … Read more

Financial Update – Dec 2018

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Another month, another update. A few random comments. Good Reads/Listens/Watches WSJ editorial board on the exodus from high-tax states to no-tax states (TX, NV, WA, FL) (link). Molly’s Game (link). Based on true story of high-profile poker ring in LA & NYC. Fascinating MrMoneyMustache forum thread documenting the implications of the recent Medicaid expansion (link). … Read more

Best Credit Card Rewards Strategy – 2018 Edition

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***** This post is now obsolete and has been replaced by this one: https://frugalprofessor.com/best-credit-card-rewards-strategy-2019-edition/ ****         **** Begin 2019 update **** This post was written in late 2018. BoA has since made a few changes to their cards. 3% cash back on BoA cash rewards card is now a choose-your-own category (rather … Read more

Financial Update – Nov 2018

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Another month, another update. A few random comments. Good Reads/Listens/Watches Fidelity is now an HSA administrator! Fidelity Link Bogleheads Discussion Thoughts from the Finance Buff There are no administrative fees. It is now unambiguously the best HSA administrator. The only reason not to use them is to capture the payroll tax benefits from your employer. … Read more

2018 Tax Software Live

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During my (almost) decade of living in poverty in grad school, I dutifully filed my taxes via TurboTax’s poorly advertised “Freedom” edition, which includes free federal & state to those with low income. It is generally available in mid-January here (link). I would recommend it to anyone who qualifies. Since my income has risen since … Read more