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Saturday, July 5

My Frugal Miser - June 2025 Income

My income in June was down a bit due to a shift in interest income.

Meeting income was decent.  I earned a little over $9,000, but haven't been paid for an 8 day meeting from the end of the month.

I received rent from both rental properties in Alabama. I also received one distribution from Realty Mogul.  

Open Door Capital continues to pay interest on the promissory note, but I am not reporting interest income in June.  The company changed ACH providers which shifts the payment into the following month.  Nothing to worry about for now.

I received $121.50 from leftover funds in a settlement between Amazon Flex and the FTC.

June Income: $8,638

$5,834 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$ Amazon Deliveries
$2,576 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $366)
$107 Interest Income
$122 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: $7,940

My brokerage accounts were up in June.

Wednesday, July 2

My Frugal Miser - June 2025 Expenses

Thanks to a fat sweepstakes deposit from Chumba Casino and job reimbursement income, June was a great month.  

  • I spent less than $100 on food because I worked 23 days in June.  I am usually reimbursed for food when I'm on the road.
  • I bought a lifetime alignment package for the car.  I also had to pay court costs for a traffic ticket that was dismissed.
  • When I switched from an ACA health care plan I also cancelled my dental insurance.  In its place I paid $249 for a VIP plan directly with a new dentist.  The plan includes two cleanings, X-rays and a 20% discount on all services for a year.
  • Clothing/ Personal Care was the most "frivolous" category in June.  I bought a 3 pack of reflexology sessions.  It's the one way I pamper myself.  I also bought a new shirt and some hygiene products.

Fun

We love adventures.  Spending on experiences makes us better humans.  
  • I received a big deposit from Chumba Casino and then played the deposit (you have to play through it once before redeeming) to an extra $200.  This was offset slightly by the $400 I spent to upgrade our cabin to a balcony on our upcoming Scandinavian and Baltics cruise out of London.
  • I pay for two AMC A-List subscriptions each month.

June Expenses:  $108

$462 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)
$349 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$357 Clothing/ Personal Care
($1,350) Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets) income this month
$89 Food
$442 Health and Dental
$43 Household/Home Repairs
$0 Unreimbursed Job Expense
($1,082) Reimbursed Job Expense income this month
$0 Interest Expense
$64 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)
$227 Taxes
$141 Utilities 

Thursday, June 5

My Frugal Miser - May 2025 Income

May 2025 might have set a new record for income.  That eases some of the pain from all the money I spent last month.

Meeting income is higher than actual - on the last day of the month I received an advance for a 10 day meeting in June.  I also received pay for some work I did in April.  It was a perfect storm.

I received rent from both rental properties in Alabama. I also received three distributions from Realty Mogul.  

Open Door Capital continues to pay interest on the promissory note.  I also earn interest on the cash balance in my Self-Directed IRA. 

I redeemed $50 in credit card points.

May Income: $18,826

$12,099 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$0 Amazon Deliveries
$4,513 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $310)
$2,164 Interest Income
$50 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: $3,890

My brokerage accounts were up in May.

Tuesday, June 3

My Frugal Miser - May 2025 Expenses

 I spent like a drunken sailor in May.  Some of that was pre-paying expenses, but there was some stupidity mixed in for good measure.

  • Spending on food was okay because I worked 25 days in May.  I am usually reimbursed for food when I'm on the road.
  • It's later than it should be, but I made an estimated tax payment to the IRS for the first quarter of 2025.
  • I mentioned last month about the major changes I'm making to my healthcare.  In May I paid for 12 months access to my concierge primary care doctor.
  • I prepaid for several months of home internet.

Fun

We love adventures.  Spending on experiences makes us better humans.  
  • I foolishly went on a binge on Chumba Casino playing blackjack and lost a lot of money.  When you lose 9 out of 10 hands playing perfect strategy you start to question whether the game is rigged.
  • I pay for two AMC A-List subscriptions each month.

May Expenses:  $10,428

$171 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)
$147 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$376 Clothing/ Personal Care
$1,715 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)
$254 Food
$1,693 Health and Dental
$6 Household/Home Repairs
$0 Unreimbursed Job Expense
$1,079 Reimbursed Job Expense
$0 Interest Expense
$472 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)
$3,897 Taxes
$618 Utilities