My Frugal Miser - June 2026 Finances

Streamlining...

Moving forward I'll be combining income and expenses into one blog post.

Income

June marks the end of corporate events season.  This year was no different:  I worked 19 days in June - not terrible.  I have nothing on the books for July; we plan for a month of leisure.  Last month I received just shy of $7,000 from event work.  Interest income was in-line with prior months.  The majority of interest income is from a promissory note I made to Open Door Capital.  I received rent from my condo tenant.  The other house is occupied, but I have yet to benefit as expenses and fees have eaten up all the rent.

Expenses

June was an interesting month for expenses.  

Top 3

1. I received my tax refund, which included a refund of the first quarter 2026 tax payment I made because I accidentally selected 2025 when I made the payment.  
2. That helped to offset the down payment I made on the shed we are installing in our backyard.  Our house doesn't have a garage and there is nowhere for our lawnmower, garden tools, mopeds, etc.  That's meant unnecessary clutter which I really hate.  I'll probably spend even more in July as I've decided to extend the back patio, carport area and add a sidewalk from the front to the back yard.  
3. Entertainment was once again a big expense at $1,849.  There's a lot within this category, including vacations (tours for our cruises), online gaming (I've become addicted to a game called Township) and miscellaneous smaller spending for streaming subscriptions, AMC A-List, trips to see Mom (she's not doing well, so I'm visiting more frequently), etc.

The Other Stuff

I had a healthy surplus in Work Expenses.  The three meetings I worked last month included true per diems that were mostly income because I barely spent money while I was away for work.  There was also income for utilities:  I filed a claim for my cracked phone in March that was finally paid out in June.  Everything else was fairly normal:  $286 for food prepared at home, $218 for restaurant meals, and spending for health, home and car.  I did have a fairly large ($480) spend on bank fees.  Two of my credit cards assessed an annual fee last month.

What else should I include in this revamped post?  I might add more about my Net Worth in the future.  That's the one number I track carefully, because when I get to my goal, I should be able to live off my savings.  Hint:  I'm getting close.

My Frugal Miser - May 2026 Income

 I worked Meetings & Events 24 days in May.  

The condo tenant paid his rent and I received four distributions from Realty Mogul.  The other rental home in Birmingham is rented but I haven't received a rent deposit yet.

Open Door Capital continues to pay interest on the promissory note.

May Income: $14,637

$10,093 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$0 Amazon Deliveries

$2,425 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $387)
$2,102 Interest Income

$17 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: $647

My brokerage accounts were basically unchanged in May.

My Frugal Miser - May 2026 Spending

I paid some large annual expenses in May, but my everyday spending was low.

• I made the annual payment for my concierge doctor ($1,890).
• I prepaid for 12 months of tirzepatide (generic Zepbound) to replace my previous Semaglutide prescription ($1,788).
• I paid for 6 months of car insurance ($1,084).
• I prepaid $500 toward the electric bill.

Fun (aka Personal Travel)

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

• I booked some excursions for our cruises.

May Expenses:  $10,182

$1,134 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$110 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$82 Shopping

$3,602 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$169 Food

$3,974 Health and Dental

$111 Household/Home Repairs

$242 Work Expenses

$0 Interest Expense

$64 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$0 Taxes

$694 Utilities 

My Frugal Miser - April 2026 Spending

In April I had a few large expenses, but my everyday spending was low.

• I made a quarterly tax payment ($3,000)
• I replaced all 4 tires on the Sportage ($1,000)
• I paid 6 months of car insurance ($1,084)

I spent almost $400 on shopping.  One of my Monos suitcases cracked, and the company offered to replace it if I purchased the extended warranty.  I also bought a few shirts.  We have pre-event days at work where we dress casually, but it's expected we dress professionally, meaning no faded or stained clothing.

Fun (aka Personal Travel)

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

• We're taking two cruises this summer.  I prepaid the gratuities and purchased the "thermal suites" package on both, using a combination of onboard credits and cash.  I also booked our flights to San Francisco for the Alaska cruise.

April Expenses:  $7,716

$1,105 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$0 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$392 Shopping

$1,005 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$198 Food

$465 Health and Dental

$14 Household/Home Repairs

$1,206 Work Expenses

$7 Interest Expense

$0 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$3,187 Taxes

$137 Utilities