My Frugal Miser - November 2021 Expenses

   November was the second month where expenses were really high.

• I paid the remaining balance on my car deductible for the accident.  I also paid 6 months premium.  I drove to Birmingham for Thanksgiving which meant a hefty bill for gas.
• Spending on food was lower since our meals are often covered when we travel for work.  
• One of the meetings in Orlando did not provide a hotel, as they requested "local" staff.  We paid out of pocket.

Fun

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

Spending on "fun" was relatively low in November.  We took a cruise at the end of the month, which I had already paid for.  The spending I did was for excursions.

November Expenses:  $10,694

$3,277 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$550 Bank Fees (annual fee on Platinum AMEX card)
$15 Clothing/ Personal Care
$413 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$352 Food

$6 Health and Dental

$1,123 Household/Home Repairs

$309 Unreimbursed Job Expense

$119 Reimbursed Job Expense

$0 Interest Expense

$3,899 Miscellaneous

$530 Taxes

$112 Utilities 

My Frugal Miser - November 2021 Income

 In November I worked two meetings in Orlando and a meeting in Dallas.  

I received an $1,800 settlement from the FTC for tips Amazon stole from drivers between 2016-2019.

The Airbnb sat empty 11 days.  Since we don't have a housekeeper I had to block several days when we were traveling.  I paid the annual property taxes on the Airbnb, making expenses higher than income.

Rental income was outstanding!  I received rent from all three of my rental homes.  I also received a quarterly distribution from 3 of the Realty Mogul investments.  Also, while I don't include transactions from my Self-Directed IRA, there is a bit of good news on a Realty Mogul investment held within my retirement account.  An apartment complex in El Paso that I invested in back in May 2019 was sold at the end of October.  Funds were distributed in November.  The annual return during my hold period was 17.3%.  I'm learning that holding individual rental properties isn't always the most profitable way to own real estate.

Rental expenses were higher than usual.  I had to replace a water heater and the price was outrageous.  I was told the cost of water heaters has risen 48% this year.

November Income: $13,512

$0 Mystery Shopping/ Merchandising
$3,605 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$1,869 Amazon Deliveries
$6,077 Rental Income (Rental Expenses:  $2,554)
$1,817 Airbnb Income (Airbnb Expenses:  $3,936)
$10 Interest Income

$133 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  ($7,316)

My investments were down across the board in November.

My Frugal Miser - October 2021 Expenses

  I spent a lot of money in October.

• I was in a car accident and paid a portion of my $5,000 deductible for repairs.  This was an expensive mistake.
• Spending on food was a bit lower since our meals are often covered when we travel for work.  

Fun

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

• I spent $2,500 purchasing IHG rewards points on a double points promotion.  That will likely last a few years.
• The rest of the "fun" category is spread across several items, including wine purchased in Napa to take home, rideshare rides, museum tickets, and entertaining a friend from out of town.

October Expenses:  $8,491

$2,730 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$0 Bank Fees (annual fee on Marriott card)
$0 Clothing/ Personal Care
$3,528 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$409 Food

$100 Health and Dental

$1,052 Household/Home Repairs

$137 Unreimbursed Job Expense

($354) Reimbursed Job Expense income this month

$0 Interest Expense

$186 Miscellaneous

$426 Taxes

$277 Utilities 

My Frugal Miser - October 2021 Income

I worked meetings all month in October.  This involved travel to Charlotte, Las Vegas, Amelia Island and Orlando.  I worked so much with meetings that I did no Amazon deliveries.

The Airbnb was booked all but 2 days I blocked due to our travel schedule.

Rental income came in where I expected, as my three tenants all paid rent.  Rental expenses were high because I paid the property taxes on those three properties.

October Income: $12,076

$0 Mystery Shopping/ Merchandising
$4,925 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$0 Amazon Deliveries
$3,135 Rental Income (Rental Expenses:  $5,569)
$3,756 Airbnb Income (Airbnb Expenses:  $1,573)
$17 Interest Income

$243 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  $7,217

My investments did well.  AMC was down (I am short the stock).  Most of my stocks were up slightly.