My Frugal Miser - August Expenses: $5,116

In July my total spending was very close to what it was in June. But, I was a lot more frugal in July. Included in the amount this month is a $500 earnest money check I wrote for the townhouse I am trying to buy. If I end up buying it I will re-categorize the expense. If not, I will post it as income in when it is returned to me. I spent over $400 on new tires which will probably last me the life of the car and includes balance, rotation and road hazard warranty for life. The only other unusual expense was $185 for a prepaid hotel room for our vacation at the end of this month.

August Expenses

$496 Auto ($33 for oil change and air filter, $178 for 6 months insurance, $285 for fuel)

$0 Bank Fees
$2 Clothing
$211 Food
$65 Entertainment (movies, gambling, alcohol)
$0 Gifts Given

$36 Household

$100 Health Insurance
$0 Medical
$912 Interest on Debt (not including Mortgage Interest)
$1000 Miscellaneous (earnest money on townhouse)
$405 Mortgage Interest (primary residence)
$780 Mortgage Interest (rental properties)
$17 Personal Care

$0 Subscriptions

$96 Taxes
$188 Utilities
$809 Vacation

Total August Expenses : $5,116

Notes

• In July I posted $500 to Miscellaneous for the earnest money deposit for House #9, but that has been reversed. I was required to post $1,000, which is reflected in this month's budget.
• My food budget was for two people. I averaged under $7 per day for two people in August.
• Fuel expense of $285 is directly related to the mystery shopping trips I took. I'm okay with expenses that generate income.
• Only $69 of the $809 I spent in the Vacation category is from the Vegas trip I am on right now. I spent $445 on a 5 day Carnival cruise ($445 for 2!) we are taking at the end of November. Amazing deal! I also paid $295 to register for the AAII Investors Conference being held in Las Vegas in November.
• Interest on debt usually runs a little more than $100 per month. I took out some 0% rate cash advances on credit cards to buy House #9. I did have to pay an advance fee of 3% on one and 5% on the other so this is a one time spike.