My Frugal Miser - September 2023 Income

September was a terrific month.  After a 6 day cruise, I worked all but one day last month.  Some of that work will be paid in October.

I received rent from both Alabama rental properties and one distribution from Realty Mogul.  Additionally, I have one real estate syndication with Open Door Capital.  The first (small) monthly distribution was made last month.

In the past I haven't reported any of the income generated within my retirement accounts, but I made a new investment that, if successful, will generate substantial monthly income.  I made a substantial loan from my self-directed IRA to Open Door Capital.  I will begin reporting that interest each month.  In September I received both a partial interest payment for August as well as the regular interest payment for September.

I did not do any Amazon routes in September.

September Income: $13,760

$6,648 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$0 Amazon Deliveries

$3,271 Rental Income (Rental Expenses:  $357)
$3,840 Interest Income (includes $3,763 interest from promissory note in retirement account)

$0 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  ($2,818)

My investments were down slightly in September.

My Frugal Miser - September 2023 Expenses

September spending was high.

• I made a $7,500 quarterly tax payment.  
• I was on the road virtually the entire month.  Since my work clients provide my food, I only spent $32 last month.
• I prepaid $600 towards my T-Mobile Internet (utilities). Discover offered me an extra 4% cashback on any purchase up to $2,000 and as the September 30th deadline approached this was the best way to take advantage of the offer.

Fun

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

• We went on a cruise at the beginning of the month.  I spent more than planned on excursions and gambling.

September Expenses:  $11,478

$39 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$139 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards) income this month
$57 Clothing/ Personal Care
$2,303 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$32 Food

$68 Health and Dental

$80 Household/Home Repairs

$50 Unreimbursed Job Expense

$347 Reimbursed Job Expense income this month

$0 Interest Expense

$96 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$7,506 Taxes

$762 Utilities 

My Frugal Miser - August 2023 Income

 August wasn't the best month, which is typical.  Meeting work usually slows down as school starts back.  I worked meetings in Austin and Newport Beach the first ten days of the month, a 4 day "budget" meeting later on and a two day event at the end of August.  

I took full advantage of the slowdown, so I don't mind the loss of income as much.  I was able to cross off a few tasks I'd been postponing for months; it feels great to give those tasks "closure."

I received rent from both Alabama rental properties and one distribution from Realty Mogul.  With interest rates rising so fast, I'm worried about a few of the syndication deals I have.  A couple of my investments have floating rate debt that matures in 2024.  It will be difficult to either refinance or sell those properties under the new rate environment.

I also managed to complete a few Amazon routes.  That income pales in comparison to the meeting jobs, but it's usually enjoyable and easy filler when nothing else is going on.  

August Income: $10,359

$7,160 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$394 Amazon Deliveries

$2,676 Rental Income (Rental Expenses:  $360)
$48 Interest Income

$0 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  $2,967

My investments were up slightly in August.