My Frugal Miser - August Expenses: $9,770

I finally turned the corner in August.  The last three months, heavy spending on my rental properties meant that my expenses exceeded my income.  In August I returned to a positive cash flow situation.  I expect September to be an even better improvement in the income to expense ratio.  Again this month, most of my spending was to maintain and repair my rental properties.  Among other things, I installed a new HVAC system ($3,700 - the second in two months!) and replaced dishwashers in two properties.  Much of my Personal Expense spending was in pursuit of income last month.  Mystery shopping requires a lot of gas, and when I am on the road I am usually spending more on food.


August Personal Expenses ($2,425)

$778 Auto ($227 for 6 months insurance, $551 for fuel)

$0 Bank Fees (for August, listed under Business Expenses - Interest as I took out a loan to fund repairs)
$0 Clothing
$391 Entertainment (movies, gambling, alcohol)
$264 Food
$0 Gifts Given

$500 Household/Housing/Home Repair
$159 Health and Dental Insurance
$0 Investment Expenses

$0 Medical/Dental
$254 Miscellaneous
$0 Personal Care

$0 Subscriptions
$56 Taxes

$148 Utilities
($124) Vacation and Recreation (refund of car rental deposit from Vegas trip)

August Business Expenses ($7,345)

$917 Mortgage Interest (rental properties)
$388 Interest on Debt (not including Mortgage Interest)
$6,040 Rental Properties - Maintenance and Repairs


Total August Expenses : $9,770

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. 
• $254 Miscellaneous:  $90 reimbursable expense related to my grandfather's estate; $164 to renew mailbox for one year