My Frugal Miser - July Expenses: $14,597

The month of July was the third month this year where I spent more than I brought in.  Most of my spending was to maintain and repair my rental properties.  Among other things, in July I installed a new HVAC system ($3,950) and added laminate floors and fresh paint to Townhouse #2.  Much of my Personal Expense spending is in pursuit of income.  Mystery shopping requires a lot of gas, and when I am on the road I am usually spending more on food.


July Personal Expenses ($3,744)

$791 Auto ($162 for service/parts, $629 for fuel)

$0 Bank Fees
$24 Clothing
$1225 Entertainment (movies, gambling, alcohol)
$337 Food
$4 Gifts Given

$514 Household/Housing/Home Repair
$159 Health and Dental Insurance
$0 Investment Expenses

$0 Medical/Dental
$180 Miscellaneous
$0 Personal Care

$20 Subscriptions
$0 Taxes

$122 Utilities
$367 Vacation and Recreation

July Business Expenses ($10,853)

$924 Mortgage Interest (rental properties)
$338 Interest on Debt (not including Mortgage Interest)
$9,591 Rental Properties - Maintenance and Repairs


Total July Expenses : $14,597

Notes

• I don't include principal payments in my expenses, only the interest portion of the monthly mortgage bills.
• I don't drive around aimlessly.  Almost all of my auto expenses were incurred in the course of completing mystery shops, including the repairs.  When you have your tires rotated so many times (which is the scenario I use for most shops), it wears out the threads on the studs that secure the tire to the wheel base.
• During our vacation I had some early gambling losses.  Fortunately after 7/31 I had some luck, which will show in my August figures.
• My rental properties cost me more than they brought in.  I don't think that will happen again this year.
• $180 Miscellaneous:  reimbursable expense related to my grandfather's estate.