My Frugal Miser - February 2026 Income

February was a strong month, as I worked all but 5 days.  My rental property is still vacant (6 months and counting!).  Fortunately I received income from the condo and 4 distributions from Realty Mogul.

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

February Income: $14,437

$9,635 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$0 Amazon Deliveries

$2,666 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $283)
$2,094 Interest Income

$42 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: $221

My brokerage accounts barely moved in February.

My Frugal Miser - February 2026 Spending

When I am on the road for work my spending decreases.  In February I was out of town 23 days, and I barely spent money.  

• I opened the AMEX Marriott Bonvoy business card and paid the $125 annual fee.  In addition to a healthy sign-up bonus, there is a free night each year, which offsets the fee.
• I am reimbursed for out of pocket expenses in different ways.  Sometimes I get a true per diem.  If I don't spend the money, it's mine to keep.  I still report it under Reimbursed Work Expense.  Add to that the fact that a client advanced my per diem for a trip I am taking in March, and the category showed a healthy profit. 

Fun (aka Personal Travel)

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

• I visited my mom in Virginia.
• I pay for two AMC A-List subscriptions each month.

February Expenses:  $435

$98 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$125 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$253 Clothing/ Personal Care

$807 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$160 Food

$247 Health and Dental

$0 Household/Home Repairs

$0 Unreimbursed Job Expense

($1,338) Reimbursed Job Expense income this month

$0 Interest Expense

$64 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$0 Taxes

$19 Utilities 

My Frugal Miser - January 2026 Income

I had a decent month in January - meeting season has arrived!  My rental properties is still vacant and I'm starting to wonder if it will ever get rented.

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

January Income: $10,893

$7,541 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$357 Amazon Deliveries

$750 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $1,376)
$2,157 Interest Income

$88 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value: $10,446

My brokerage accounts were up again in January.  The IRBT PUT options increased again.  I also have some bets against AMC (I am short the stock and own some PUT options) that increased in value.

My Frugal Miser - January 2026 Spending

Like December, in January I prepaid some expenses, which inflated my spending.  I wanted to buy my way to Platinum status with American Airlines, and I did.  I should probably post about manufactured spending, but in this case I made a large tax payment to the IRS.  Assuming I overpaid, I'll get it back as a refund.  All I am out is the lost interest income had I invested the money instead.

• I made a $6,000 quarterly tax payment to the IRS. 
• I paid the annual fees on two credit cards.
• I paid the annual home insurance bill.

Fun (aka Personal Travel)

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

• I didn't book any travel in January.
• I pay for two AMC A-List subscriptions each month.

January Expenses:  $8,874

$95 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$500 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$166 Clothing/ Personal Care

$5 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$276 Food

$264 Health and Dental

$1,039 Household/Home Repairs

$0 Unreimbursed Job Expense

$325 Reimbursed Job Expense

$0 Interest Expense

$32 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$6,000 Taxes

$172 Utilities