Thanks to both of you for helping me understand this.
The only thing I'm still confused about is the whole pool thing. My first share has come through sbi5 and I have two more shares in the works as we speak. Are my upcoming shares guaranteed to be in the same pool? (Up to 100, I seem to remember reading.) That way, they stack up well for a better reward.
Yes, I've got you on autovote now @steembasicincome, so I shouldn't miss any!
Your shares will stack in the pool to increase your upvote value from the pool that you're in until you exceed 100, and then you will be in more than one pool.
Thanks for answering in both threads! I appreciate it. Keep up the awesome work!