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 

My Frugal Miser - June Update on 2025 Goals

 I've made more progress towards my goals.  You can check out my goals for 2025.

Financial Goals

My first financial goal is to fully fund my 2025 ROTH IRA contribution.  As of April 21, I have fully funded the $7,000 annual cap.  

I want to add $1,000/mo. to my short term savings account.  I use this account for periodic large expenses like property taxes.  I have added $8,500 to this account in 2025, and I have automatic transfers of $500 every month, which means I will meet this goal.  

I also want to add $25,000 to my brokerage accounts this year.  I'll start focusing on this now that short term savings have been funded.

Fun Goals

I aim to spend NOTHING on fun this year by submitting sweepstakes entries to online casinos and cashing out the proceeds.  I've been working too much to write many entries but am still committed to this one.

The Other Stuff

I want to read a book a month.  I finished the third book, A Time for Mercy by John Grisham.  I'm now working on Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover.

I haven't done anything with our mopeds.

I haven't started to learn to play and instrument.

My Frugal Miser - April 2025 Income

 Income was solid last 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.  I also earn interest on the cash balance in my Self-Directed IRA. 

April Income: $13,132

$7,450 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$753 Amazon Deliveries

$2,752 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $863)
$2,164 Interest Income

$41 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  $5,510

My brokerage accounts were up in April.  As markets cratered early in the month due to tariff announcements, I closed out many of my PUT options with healthy gains.  At the same time, I nibbled at some long positions while they were down.  When the market began to recover, I benefited.

My Frugal Miser - April 2025 Expenses

I spent quite a bit on healthcare and vehicle expenses last month.

• Spending on food was a tad higher than I'd like.  I didn't travel as much for work, plus we ate out during a quick trip to Atlanta.
• In April I rented a car for two weeks.  My partner and I share a vehicle, and on rare occasions we both travel by car to our jobs.  I also paid 6 months of auto insurance for the two of us.  
• I am making some major changes to my healthcare.  First, I prepaid for 12 months of my weight loss medication ($3,000).  I also canceled my Health Marketplace plan and am following the advice I read on Mr. Money Mustache.  Specifically, I switched to a health sharing plan through Sedara.  And starting in May, I am switching to a concierge health plan with a dedicated doctor.  I'm very excited about these changes and this renewed focus on healthy living.

Fun

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

• I booked flights for us to visit my mom in May.
• I pay for two AMC A-List subscriptions each month.
• Sweepstakes casinos offset all spending in this category and then some.

April Expenses:  $5,584

$1,752 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$196 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$313 Clothing/ Personal Care

($620) Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets) income this month

$636 Food

$3,833 Health and Dental

$2 Household/Home Repairs

$134 Unreimbursed Job Expense

($1,999) Reimbursed Job Expense income this month

$0 Interest Expense

$0 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$405 Taxes

$70 Utilities