Making Progress Towards My Goals - May 2024 Update

I experienced another month of substantial earnings in May.

Financial

My goal this year is to invest 40% of my gross income from meeting work - 30% to index funds and 10% to something more aggressive.  In May I moved 40% of my meeting income to investment accounts.

In May, I earned $7,192 from meeting work.   I transferred $800 to the brokerage account where I make more aggressive investments followed by $1,200 for the June amount (why not get ahead!?!) and $2,500 to my other brokerage account as well as $2,500 for June. 

I purchased shares of the Vanguard Total World Stock Index Admiral Fund for the 30%.  For the "more aggressive" investment, I added to a PUT option on Beyond Meat.  When the meme gamblers started buying up zombie stocks again in May, I decided to add to a PUT option against Gamestop as well.

In addition to these investments, I made a $1,000 contribution to my ROTH IRA in May.

*This will not match what I report in my income blog as payments aren't always received in the month the work was performed.

Health

I'm doing well meeting my exercise goals by exercising at least 5x/week.  

Simplify

I canceled the Chase Ink Business Preferred Card and the $95 annual fee was refunded.  

Have Fun, on a Budget

Finally, a vacation.  I booked some travel for July.  I will visit my mom in Richmond, and then meet my partner in Charlotte.  We will drive to Asheville and spend 5 days there.  This is the first vacation we've taken this year other than a two night Margaritaville cruise we took in January.  Since I redeemed points and miles, this should be a relatively frugal vacation.

My Frugal Miser - May 2024 Income

May marks another stellar month for income.  I worked meetings 19 out of 31 days.  I was able to do several Amazon routes, but the pay is extremely low compared to meeting work.  I received rental income from both Alabama properties as well as two Realty Mogul distributions and a small monthly distribution from Open Door Capital.  

May Income: $14,526

$7,192 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$580 Amazon Deliveries

$4,310 Rental Income (Rental Expenses:  $5,948 income this month)
$2,438 Interest Income

$6 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  $438

My investments have steadily increased in value.

My Frugal Miser - May 2024 Expenses

I was frugal in May.  Traveling for work is a great way to mitigate expenses. 

• The largest unexpected expense was for oral surgery to remove a fractured tooth.  I will probably spend more to get an implant at some point.
• I paid my GEICO bill.  Six months for two of us.
• I have a meeting I work every June that requires khaki pants.  The ones from last year are too tight, so I bought two new pair.

Fun

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

• Meeting work is seasonal - there isn't much in July and August.  I took advantage and booked a vacation in July to Asheville.  I used points for the hotel and miles for airfare.  I'll pay for the rental car when we pick it up.  This should be a very reasonably priced vacation since two of the largest expenses were covered by points.
• While in Monaco for work, I visited the Monte Carlo casino.  I think it's the most famous casino in the world, but it was underwhelming.  Fortunately I won at the blackjack tables.  This was offset by flights I booked to New Orleans for later this year (we're taking a cruise from there).
• We also went to a comedy show in Orlando before we worked a meeting.  Again, my winnings in Monaco basically paid for this.

May Expenses:  $2,318

$1,366 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$10 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$332 Clothing/ Personal Care
$2 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$247 Food

$1,236 Health and Dental

$41 Household/Home Repairs

($46) Unreimbursed Job Expense income this month

($1,048) Reimbursed Job Expense income this month

$0 Interest Expense

$32 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$115 Taxes

$31 Utilities