Hadn't looked at the profile settings before; the count shown is the total count of posts and is the same number that shows under your name when you make a post (along with your stars and title).
I usually check on the number of posts that I've made so far this month by clicking on the "paid to post" link at the top of each Forum page and clicking on the green highlighted link in the middle of the landing page (forum posting bonus form). On the right side of that page, mid-way down is the count of the eligible posts made so far this month and right below that is a link that allows you to look at the posts you've actually made.
I've used that list occasionally to find one of my older posts to see if there have been any responses. Also need it to select the 3 posts (and their ID #'s) that I want to use for the Forum posting bonus request.
Any post made to the Contest and Promotion section of the Forum is not considered an eligible post -- primarily because the post is in answer to a contest/promo not a contributory submission.