My Frugal Miser - 2023 March Expenses

March was a pretty frugal month.  The largest expense was a tax payment towards my 2022 tax liability.  I sold two rental properties last year and owe a significant amount of money.  

• I made the second payment to GEICO for the increase in auto insurance.  My insurance went up significantly when I changed my address.
• I was charged the annual fee for my Chase Hyatt card and made the annual maintenance fees for the self-directed IRA.
• Utilities were high because I paid off my partner's phone early.  I did this so that we could switch providers.  I also bought a new phone as my Pixel 4 is starting to have problems.

Fun

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

• In March this category shows significant income!  I won at blackjack in Aruba as well as on my last night in Vegas.
• I subscribed to AMC Unlimited.  Now we both have it as going to movies is something we both enjoy.
• We spent a night in Macon to attend the Third Eye Blind concert.

March Expenses:  $5,588

$256 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$710 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$21 Clothing/ Personal Care
($3,245) Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets) income this month

$398 Food

$13 Health and Dental

$354 Household/Home Repairs

$175 Unreimbursed Job Expense

($441) Reimbursed Job Expense income this month

$0 Interest Expense

$1,691 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$4,196 Taxes

$916 Utilities 

My Frugal Miser - March 2023 Income

2023 is turning into a great year for income.  I worked 24 days of meetings (two meetings will be paid out in April).  I received rent from both Alabama properties.  I did two Amazon routes one day.

March Income: $8,462

$0 Mystery Shopping/ Merchandising
$6,512 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$133 Amazon Deliveries

$1,795 Rental Income (Rental Expenses:  $546)
$22 Interest Income

$0 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  ($475)

My investments were basically flat.  I have a couple of PUT options for Bed, Bath and Beyond that increased in value.  Some of the other PUTs lost value.

My Frugal Miser - February 2023 Expenses

 I bought a new house on February 1st, so there were some expenses in January associated with the move.  Because I worked so much in January, spending in many categories was minimal.

• I paid for a moving truck and pickup truck.  We moved gradually and then completed the move in mid-February.  The majority of the Household spending was for window blinds and a new vacuum.
• I was charged the annual fee for my Chase Sapphire Reserve card.
• I bought two new pair of shoes.  Somehow one of my work shoes was lost in the move.

Fun

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

• We didn't book any new vacations in February.
• We added AMC Unlimited for my partner.  I am traveling for work and will purchase this in March.
• We took a cruise in February.  I spent onboard for a sushi making class and bought a few drinks.

February Expenses:  $4,074

$213 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$550 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$243 Clothing/ Personal Care
$480 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$479 Food

$28 Health and Dental

$1,484 Household/Home Repairs

$0 Unreimbursed Job Expense

$51 Reimbursed Job Expense

$0 Interest Expense

$166 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$9 Taxes

$372 Utilities 

My Frugal Miser - February 2023 Income

February was another solid month.  I only worked two meetings as we set aside time to move and take a short cruise. I received the rent from my two Alabama rental properties as well as three distributions from Realty Mogul.  I also managed to work three short Amazon routes.

February Income: $9,541

$0 Mystery Shopping/ Merchandising
$4,478 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$211 Amazon Deliveries

$4,782 Rental Income (Rental Expenses:  $290)
$15 Interest Income

$55 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  ($7,714)

After liquidating a substantial part of my portfolio to buy our new house, I am left mostly with several Put options.  The meme gamblers continued to negatively affect my positions.