My Frugal Miser - November 2025 Income

November was another mediocre month for income.  I only worked two meetings (started a third at the end of the month).  One of my rental properties is still vacant.  I'm probably going to look for a new management company to take that one over.  I received rent from the Birmingham condo and two distributions from Realty Mogul.

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

November Income: $9,517

$4,351 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$293 Amazon Deliveries

$2,142 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $396)
$2,165 Interest Income

$566 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: $13,845

My brokerage accounts were up in November.  I locked in a nice gain on a PUT against Microstrategy.

My Frugal Miser - November 2025 Expenses

November was a very expensive month because I paid the annual property tax bill and spent a lot in the "Fun" category.

• I prepaid for 12 months of home internet.  We are switching to the new home internet from Mint Mobile, which will be $30/month.  We currently have T Mobile, which is the same network used by Mint, and will save $20/month with the switch.
• Bank fees were crazy high.  I paid the annual fee on the Platinum AMEX and a cash advance fee due to a mistake I made by using the wrong card to access cash.
• In Personal Care, I booked a Black Friday deal with my reflexologist.
• I paid the annual property tax bill.  This was over $7,000.

Fun (aka Personal Travel)

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

• Carnival ran a Black Friday "level up" promotion.  Their loyalty program is changing in 2026 and by booking two cruises before the change takes effect I will lock in Diamond status for life.
• I've been calling Personal Travel "Fun" because it usually is, but this is also where I include any travel that isn't for work.  My mom's health is failing, so I've been spending as much time as I can in Richmond.  I've been staying in Hilton-branded hotels so that I can reach Diamond status, and I prepaid for several nights in December because the rate is much lower if you pick the prepaid, non-refundable rate.
• I pay for two AMC A-List subscriptions each month.

November Expenses:  $13,431

$334 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$1,553 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$181 Clothing/ Personal Care

$3,316 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$388 Food

$187 Health and Dental

$13 Household/Home Repairs

$0 Unreimbursed Job Expense

($407) Reimbursed Job Expense income this month

$0 Interest Expense

$182 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$7,102 Taxes

$583 Utilities 

My Frugal Miser - October 2025 Income

October was a decent month, but slower than I would have liked.  I worked consistently until the last week of the month.  I spent that week doing more repairs on the vacant rental property in Birmingham and visiting my mom in Virginia.  Her health is declining so I plan to visit more often in the future.  

Rental income continues to be affected by the vacant house in Birmingham.  My property manager finally got it listed at the end of the month.  I received one distribution from Realty Mogul and my condo tenant paid rent.

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

October Income: $9,136

$5,412 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$247 Amazon Deliveries

$1,284 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $2,196)
$2,177 Interest Income

$17 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: $2,530

My brokerage accounts were up in October.

My Frugal Miser - October 2025 Expenses

Two low-spending months in a row!  October was made easier by the income in the fun account, so my spending is deceptively low.  

• I paid for 6 months of car insurance and the annual AAA dues.  I rented a car when I visited my mom in Virginia.
• I took advantage of the 4Q benefit from my Platinum AMEX by buying more pants from Lululemon.  I also bought two pair of pants on eBay.  I've lost weight and needed clothes that fit!
• In Personal Care, I booked massages (2 for each of us) during our two-day visit to Cabo on our upcoming cruise.
• House Expenses were higher.  The dryer vent compartment shredded into multiple pieces.  The good news is that I was able to repair it myself after watching a couple of YouTube videos, but the parts weren't cheap.  I also bought a lot of cleaning supplies and a new vacuum.

Fun

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

• Someone shared a code for our upcoming cruise to get a big discount on WiFi and unlimited drinks.  I've never splurged on these before, but the excitement of this secret code compelled me to do it.  This is definitely not the frugal me, but as the Chumba deposits kept rolling in I decided to spend a little.
• I received three deposits from Chumba Casino.
• I pay for two AMC A-List subscriptions each month.

October Expenses:  $919

$1,585 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$0 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$602 Clothing/ Personal Care

($2,151) Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets) income this month

$60 Food

$187 Health and Dental

$431 Household/Home Repairs

$12 Unreimbursed Job Expense

($232) Reimbursed Job Expense income this month

$0 Interest Expense

$68 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$216 Taxes

$141 Utilities