Making Progress Towards My Goals - August 2024 Update

August is usually a slow month in my industry, and 2024 was no exception.  That doesn't mean I sat around watching Netflix:  I did several Amazon routes and found a sweepstakes hustle with Chumba Casino thanks to a friend of mine.

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 August I moved 56% of my meeting income to investment accounts.

In August, I earned $4,200 from meeting work.   I transferred $500 to the brokerage account where I make more aggressive investments and $1,850 to my other brokerage account. 

I purchased shares of the Vanguard Total World Stock Index Admiral Fund for the 30%.  For the "more aggressive" investment, I short sold Beyond Meat stock and also bought a PUT option against Beyond Meat.

*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

We took an oversized bag of donations to our local thrift store.  It's next to our Planet Fitness which makes it really convenient.  I still have more clothes than I need and should find time to go through my closet again.

Have Fun, on a Budget

Our next vacation is in October.  We are taking a cruise from New Orleans.  The cruise was "free" - I paid a $200 deposit which is refunded as onboard credit.  We are flying to New Orleans two days ahead of the cruise to have a little local fun.  I redeemed free nights for the hotel (my Hyatt credit card gives me a free night every year and I earned a second free night because I spent $15,000 on the card last year).  The flights were also free.  I get a $200 annual credit through my Platinum AMEX card and used points as well.  This is definitely a frugal trip!  In September I will prepay for an excursion at our favorite all inclusive beach resort in Costa Maya.  I can't say enough good things about Maya Chan Resort.  I am such a fan that I even bought the book the founder wrote about starting the resort.

My Frugal Miser - August 2024 Income

July and August are examples of turning lemons into lemonade, although an accounting "trick" artificially boosts my August Income (one client paid me an advance for two meetings I am working in September, so that month's income will be lower because of it).  

First, rental properties.  I still own two homes in Alabama, but have shifted most of my real estate investing to syndications.  I received rental income from both Alabama properties as well as one distribution from Realty Mogul in my taxable account, two Realty Mogul distributions in my Self-Directed IRA, and a small monthly distribution from Open Door Capital.  

In August I worked three small meeting jobs, so the income reported below is deceptive since it includes payment from a July meeting as well as partial payments of upcoming meetings.  I was able to do several Amazon routes and made a respectable side income from that.  

All in all, I am more than pleased by my income in what is usually one of the slowest months of the year.  

August Income: $17,147

$8,700 Meeting Jobs
$0 Gig Apps (Rideshare, Food Deliveries, etc.)
$1,244 Amazon Deliveries

$4,639 Rental Income (Rental Expenses: $364)
$2,492 Interest Income

$72 Other Sources

Investment Accounts Change in Value:  $3,128

My investments were up in August.  I'm continuing to shift into more conservative, "boring" investments.  The bulk of new funds go to the Vanguard Total World Stock Index Admiral fund.  I own a substantial amount of bank CDs in my brokerage accounts as well.  Lastly, I have a few short positions, mostly in the form of put options.  If the zombie stocks I bet against ever decline (really, they are worth nearly zero, but apparently other investors disagree with me!), I should see some nice gains on those options.

My Frugal Miser - August 2024 Expenses

August turned out to be an average month.  Because of an unforeseen trip to visit my mom, I spent more on food and the cat sitter than anticipated.  A couple of expenses were postponed to September because I have been so busy.    I spent too much in July on food.  Most of the other large expenses were unavoidable.  August will probably be another expensive month as the dishwasher needs to be replaced and I have a couple of doctor appointments.

• Utilities were low.  The electric bill arrives at the end of the month and I usually pay it right away, but I was working out of town and will pay it in September.
• I spent some time researching new dishwashers but still haven't replaced our broken one yet.
• I paid the $85 annual fee for my Chase Marriott card.  It includes a free night each year which easily justifies the annual fee.
• I finally saw a podiatrist about my foot pain.  The copay was $80.  He gave me three cortisone injections.  My feet haven't felt this good in years.

Fun

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

• The "Fun" category includes all personal travel whether it's fun or not.  My mom fell and had to have surgery, so we visited her in August.  The bulk of the $404 I spent in this category was related to traveling to Richmond to spend time with her.

August Expenses:  $2,366

$370 Auto (service, gas, insurance, AAA, etc.)

$85 Bank Fees (annual fees on credit cards)
$27 Clothing/ Personal Care

$404 Fun (vacations, movies, gambling, alcohol, concert tickets)

$739 Food

$164 Health and Dental

$2 Household/Home Repairs

$0 Unreimbursed Job Expense

$77 Reimbursed Job Expense

$0 Interest Expense

$258 Miscellaneous (cat sitter, gifts)

$197 Taxes

$44 Utilities