My Frugal Miser - 2024 Goals

Every year I publish a handful of goals.  I usually meet some and fail at others.  Without this roadmap, I would lack the direction I need to achieve anything.  Here are my 2024 goals.

Financial

• Increase Net Worth by $100,000
• Invest 30% of gross meeting income in index funds
• Invest 10% of gross meeting income in more aggressive investments

In 2023 my net worth has barely budged, so I have created these goals to ensure success.  I should be able to invest between $25,000-$30,000 next year if I follow this plan.  The remaining increase in net worth should come from existing investments in stocks and real estate.  

Committing 40% of gross meeting income to investments is aggressive (it's well over half my after-tax income).  The plan is to lever up other income (rideshare, making deliveries, etc.) when there is a shortfall.

Health

• Exercise at least 5x/week.
• Lose weight.

I should assign a specific weight loss goal, but I also want to build muscle, so I'm more focused on how my body looks in the mirror and how it fits into clothes.  

Simplify

• We have owned two mopeds since 2012.  They don't run.  It's time to either repair and use them or get rid of them.  I'll do that in 2024.
• I would like to eliminate 30-50 pieces of clothing in 2024, and remove at least 2 items per week from the house.

Have Fun, On a Budget

• I will limit spending on Fun to $5,000 in 2024.
• I would like to take a few short getaways using points and miles to places I've never been.

My Frugal Miser - November 2023 Income

November wasn't terrible. I worked three small meetings but it was only 11 days of work.  To supplement it I did a few Amazon routes and even drove for Lyft a bit.

I received rent from both Alabama rental properties and one distribution from Realty Mogul and Open Door Capital.

Open Door continues to pay interest on the promissory note as promised.  I also received a decent interest payment on my Capital One Savings balance.

November Income: $10,975

$4,776 Meeting Jobs
$152 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$737 Amazon Deliveries

$2,818 Rental Income (Rental Expenses:  $357)
$2,469 Interest Income

$23 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  $1,951

My investments were up slightly in November.

My Frugal Miser - November 2023 Expenses

  We were degenerate gluttons in November.

• Earlier this year I researched high quality luggage and decided Monos was the best brand for me.  They had an aggressive Black Friday sale - 40% off plus a free gift- so I finished out my luggage needs.  Accompanied by a lifetime guarantee, I don't expect to spend much for luggage in the future.
• On Black Friday I used my $50 Saks credit offered by the Platinum AMEX.  Net of the credit, I spent $120 and received a $75 gift card, 3 pair of socks and two shirts.
• I paid car insurance... ouch! (It's for both of us though)
• I paid the annual fee for the American Express Platinum card.  I almost canceled, but the credits I receive each month just barely outweigh the expense, so a net positive.
• Property taxes were due on our house, and they were crazy expensive.  Next year I will qualify for homestead exemption which will help a little.
• We spent way too much on Thanksgiving dinner.  Besides a couple decent restaurant meals, I spent more on groceries than usual. 

Fun

We love adventures.  Spending on experiences makes us better humans.  

• We're going on vacation later this month.  I prepaid for a rental car and bought airline tickets instead of redeeming points in order to achieve a higher status level on United for 2024... I'll be Gold next year.  
• I also added $300 to my cruise balance for our December cruise to take advantage of a Chase Offer ($35 back on $100 purchase, across three different cards). 
• Lastly, Margaritaville at Sea had a Black Friday sale.  We've never cruised on this line so I bought a 2 day cruise.

November Expenses:  $15,275

$1,503 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$695 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$554 Clothing/ Personal Care
$1,656 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$1,011 Food

$40 Health and Dental

$8,402 Household/Home Repairs

$24 Unreimbursed Job Expense

$457 Reimbursed Job Expense

$0 Interest Expense

$656 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$20 Taxes

$257 Utilities