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Wednesday, April 4

My Frugal Miser - March Expenses: $10,598


I paid my 2017 income tax at the end of March.  I was supposed to make quarterly payments so there is also a penalty built into the tax.  I also spent a lot on food in March.  Much of that was at the grocery store, but we ate out more than we should have also.  Lastly, I bought $800 worth of gas gift cards to take advantage of my credit card's 5% cash back. 

The $200 spent on vacationing was to upgrade to Big Front Seats on Spirit airlines.  I redeemed points for two flights to Las Vegas in April.  Since the flights and hotels cost nothing out of pocket I decided to splurge on larger seats at the front of the plane.

March Expenses:  $10,598

$1,857 Auto ($980 for gas, $877 for service)
($73) Bank Fees
$0 Clothing
$0 Computer
$82 Entertainment (movies, gambling, alcohol) 
$507 Food
$0 Gifts Given
$75 Household/Housing/Home Repair
$0 Homeowner's Insurance (annual payment)
$28 Health and Dental Insurance (prepaid a portion of 2018 health insurance)
$0 Investment Expense
$16 Interest Expense*
$19 Medical/Dental
$27 Miscellaneous
$0 Personal Care
$35 Subscriptions
$7,447 Taxes
$77 Sharing Economy Expenses (tolls, car washes, etc.)
$0 Unreimbursed Employee Expenses
$301 Utilities
$200 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.  

Monday, April 2

My Frugal Miser - March Income: $14,072


Income was excellent in March.  Rental income was strong.  A new tenant moved into the empty townhouse.  My most expensive property is still vacant but is now move-in ready.  Rideshare income was strong.  On St. Patrick's Day, between Uber, Lyft and Amazon deliveries, I grossed over $750!  Because I live in a tourist area, I benefited from the number of events taking place in Tampa Bay as well as spring breakers.  I did not do as many meetings last month; most of my job income came from rideshare and Amazon.

March Income: $14,072

$109 Mystery Shopping
$622 Meeting Jobs
$104 Reimbursed Job Expenses
$1,246 Uber
$1,296 Lyft
$0 Postmates
$2,632 Amazon Deliveries
$7,655 Rental Income
$30 Interest Income
$378 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  $11,253

My investments did great.  A put option for the company that owns MoviePass is currently up over 130% from my purchase price.  I also made over $1,000 on a short-term investment in a beat-up mall REIT. 

Notes:  
  • I don't include transactions in my retirement accounts.  This includes rental income, dividends and capital gains and losses.