My Frugal Miser - January Income: $8,707

It's 2018 and I am making some changes to how I report things.  I want to stop tracking every investment transaction in Quicken.  I don't use that information anywhere except this blog - capital gains, dividends and interest expenses are all tracked in spreadsheets for tax purposes.  This year I will report the increase or decrease in the value of my investment account, net of any withdrawals or deposits I make.

As for income, it was okay.  Rental income continues to suffer, but this is about to change.  My handyman finished the repairs at my townhouse, and the day it was listed for rent the management company approved an application.  I had to evict another tenant, and I believe she moved out at the end of the month.  A third tenant did not pay rent in January. 

I worked several meetings in January and drove a little for Uber and Lyft.  I also worked steadily at Amazon.  Income from these jobs was solid.

January Income: $8,707

$71 Mystery Shopping
$1,246 Meeting Jobs
$50 Reimbursed Job Expenses
$235 Uber
$163 Lyft
$0 Postmates
$2,236 Amazon Deliveries
$4,475 Rental Income
$29 Interest Income

$202 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  -$17,969

My investments performed horribly in January.  I shorted shares in the company that operates MoviePass (HMNY) and quickly lost a ton of money.  I covered that position, taking a steep loss.  The Hard to Borrow interest rate charged to short that stock is ridiculously high.  In its place, I have a put option that will become profitable if the company tanks.  I also lost a lot from Vereit.  REITS have been way down lately.   I'm not planning to sell anytime soon, so this doesn't worry me at all.  In fact, I bought more shares today.  The dividend on that REIT is close to 8%.

Notes:  

• I don't include transactions in my retirement accounts.  This includes rental income, dividends and capital gains and losses.