After grinding for two months I decided to get away for a few days last week. Frontier had a great sale on flights and I was able to book a round-trip to Las Vegas for under $200. I am also visiting Denver for a day for less than $40. Originally I was not going to rent a car, but the rates make it logical to do so. Since the hotels I am staying at are not on the strip, public transportation would take forever, and Uber rides would actually cost more than renting a car.
My hotels were free. This is interesting, because the last time I was in Vegas was six months ago in September. I didn't do much gambling then, but I did win on that trip because I hit my first and only Royal Flush. I would love to know how a casino decides what to offer in comps to get players to visit. I received 4 free nights and $35 in free bets. Basically all my meals were free by using points accumulated on my player's card.
I never expect to win, but once again I came home with more money than I started. Virtually all my gambling was on video poker, where I won $300. My blackjack sessions were break-even.
For the frugal traveler, both Frontier and Spirit have aggressive sales from time to time. I've signed up to receive email alerts from both companies.
Today's Focus
Current Goals:
1) $1,000/mo. to short-term savings and $400/mo to investments.
2) Weigh less than 180 pounds by 12/31/21.
3) Read more books.
Previous Goal: Eliminate Mortgage on Rental Property
Interest Rate is 5.125%!
January 1, 2019: $59,592
August 11, 2020: PAID!

Friday, March 17
Tuesday, March 7
My Frugal Miser - February Expenses: $4,412

I had several work-related expenses. We drove to Birmingham to work on a rental property, which used a lot of gas. I bought a new phone from Wal-Mart to replace my Republic Wireless Moto X. The new plan is only slightly more expensive, but my Republic phone had 3G and a very slow processor. I also decided to buy a monthly unlimited car wash plan. A fancy new car wash opened up about a mile from my house. Not having a clean car has kept me from driving for Uber and Lyft on some occasions, and I think this might motivate me to do some more rideshare work. Finally, I bought two new suits. Some of the hospitality jobs require a business suit, and the only suit I had got a hole in it. I bought that suit 10 years ago so it was time to replace it anyway.
It seems like I spend money on vacations every month. Last month I booked an EasyJet flight we will be taking during our summer European vacation. I also spent $186 on a roundtrip to Las Vegas... and that included $57 I spent to pick a seat. While there, I'm going to Denver for a day. That flight was only $38 roundtrip. Air travel is so cheap!
February Expenses: $4,412
$891 Auto ($275 gas, $0 repairs/maintenance, $616 depreciation)
$741 Bank Fees$949 Clothing
$0 Computer
$55 Entertainment (movies, gambling, alcohol)
$383 Food
$41 Gifts Given
$42 Household/Housing/Home Repair
$28 Health and Dental Insurance (prepaid 2017 health insurance premiums in December 2016)
$0 Investment Expense
$243 Interest Expense*
$243 Interest Expense*
$36 Medical/Dental
$0 Miscellaneous
$0 Personal Care
$35 Subscriptions
$0 Taxes
$339 Sharing Economy Expenses (dedicated phone, tolls, car washes, etc.)
$339 Sharing Economy Expenses (dedicated phone, tolls, car washes, etc.)
$233 Utilities
$396 Vacation
*Interest expense includes student loans and the loan on my car. As both rates are below 2%, I am completely comfortable paying the interest each month and investing the money that I would otherwise use to pay off these loans. In February, I paid $202 to E*Trade for "hard to borrow" interest on a short sale of Sears Holdings stock.
*Interest expense includes student loans and the loan on my car. As both rates are below 2%, I am completely comfortable paying the interest each month and investing the money that I would otherwise use to pay off these loans. In February, I paid $202 to E*Trade for "hard to borrow" interest on a short sale of Sears Holdings stock.
Sunday, March 5
My Frugal Miser - February Income: $8,888

I made a fair amount of money last month. I had one vacant property (new tenants are moving in April 1st). We spent a week in Birmingham fixing it up.
Amazon Flex was okay, and I did a few Uber and Lyft rides when I had free time. The majority of my working time was spent on hospitality jobs.
I don't have any stock sales or dividend payments to report for February. In my Prosper account one of my loans was written off, which resulted in a negative $51 adjustment to my account.
February Income: $8,888
$1,999 Mystery Shopping and Hospitality Jobs
$116 Uber
$18 Lyft
$0 Postmates
$1,044 Amazon Deliveries
$5,723 Rental Income
($51) Dividends and Interest (Investment Accounts)
$0 Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments
$116 Uber
$18 Lyft
$0 Postmates
$1,044 Amazon Deliveries
$5,723 Rental Income
($51) Dividends and Interest (Investment Accounts)
$0 Realized Gains (Losses) on Investments
$39 Other Sources
Notes:
- I don't include transactions in my retirement accounts. This includes rental income, dividends and capital gains and losses.
- I include merchandising and hospitality work in the mystery shopping category since the companies that I shop for provide this extra side work.
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