February Expenses – $1630.04

Here is a breakdown of my expenses for February.

Household$21.07
Mortgage/Apt$115
Utilities$122.95
Entertainment$13.27
Transportation$451.03
Food$99
Visa$130.17
Health$455.20
Travel$107.35
Support$115
Total$1630.04

February’s expenses were once again a little high.

Entertainment expense was for one month Amazon Prime subscription, one month Hulu, one month of Paramount Plus and a lottery ticket.

Rent was $115 for our apartment in Chiang Mai.

My transportation expense consisted of $341 for six months of car insurance, $57.04 for an oil change, and $52.99 for gas.

My food expense was $99 even. That is divided between $36.21 for groceries and $62.79 for restaurants. I cut back on eating out and took advantage of a several free or very cheap fast-food specials. This will probably go up a little this month since I intend to eat healthier and eat less fast food.

I paid $130.17 for a round-trip ticket from Chiang Mai to Bangkok so my wife could get her Thai police certificate which we need to complete here U.S. visa application.

Utilities came in at $122.95. This was for electric and internet in the U.S.

The household expense was mainly for a box fan, laptop screws, dog treats, and cleaning supplies.

Travel expense included $84 for a positioning flight from my tiny local airport to DFW and $18 in taxes and fees for an award ticket from DFW-BKK.

I provided $115 of support to my wife.

I spent $455.20 on 14 months of gym membership. I have yet to use it enough to justify the expense, but I will go more often this month.

This month’s expenses should be lower since I’m not expecting any large expenses. How was your month?

January 2024 Goal Review

I have set three goals to achieve in 2024. I’ll review my progress towards the goals monthly. This is the first review.

My first goal is to add $10,000 to my savings. I haven’t made any progress on this goal. I’m hoping that I will find a job this month and be able to make at least a small contribution to my savings to get this goals started.

My second goal is to lose weight. I did manage to lose six pounds in January. I’m satisfied with that progress. I’ve gone backwards so far this month, but I feel confident I can get back on track and make more progress on this goal

My third goal is to run a half marathon or marathon. I didn’t really make any progress on this goal last month. I have joined a gym this month and aim to run on the treadmill most days. I’ve got a long way to go on this goal. I will make progress this month.

I’m off to a slow start on meeting my goals. That was expected since I was in Thailand in January. Living there helps my goal of losing weight, but it doesn’t help my other two goals. I will make better progress this month.

January Income – $1351.36

Here is a breakdown of my income for January.

Interest$1219.34
Dividends$20.17
Bank Bonus$100
Class Action$7.70
Amazon Merch$4.15
Ebay$0
Surveys$0
Total$1351.36

January was an ok month for income considering I didn’t have any job income all month.

Dividend income came in at $20.17.

Interest income was $1219.34. This was much larger than normal due to cashing in a couple of I-bonds.

I received $100 from a bank bonus.

I made $7.70 from a random class action payment.

I made $4.15 from Amazon Merch.

I hope I will have some job income this month and am able to increase my total income. I need a few months of income being larger than expenses.

How was your month?

January Expenses – $1666.82

Here is a breakdown of my expenses for January.

Household$469.81
Mortgage/Apt$115
Utilities$114.38
Entertainment$23.86
Transportation$1.71
Food$259.65
Phone$9.95
Health$129.39
Travel$428.07
Support$115
Total$1666.82

January’s expenses were a little high, mainly due to having to pay my annual bar fee of $410.

Entertainment expense was for one month Amazon Prime subscription, one month Hulu, one month of Peacock and a visit to the movies.

Rent was $115 for our apartment in Chiang Mai.

My transportation expense was only $1.71 for a couple of songthaew rides.

My food expense was $259.65 That is divided between $125.23 for groceries and $134.42 for restaurants. This expense will be much lower this month since I’ll only be buying food for myself.

I paid $9.95 for a replacement sim card. I lost my US sim card when switching from my Thai phone service.

Utilities came in at $114.38. This was for electric and internet in the U.S.

The household expense was mainly for my annual bar fee, but it also included a haircut, a gift, and some household items.

Travel expense included $214.62 for 2 domestic round-trip tickets in Thailand. I paid $16.54 for a Bangkok hotel. And I paid $196.91 for some long-distance taxi rides and some shorter transit rides.

I provided $115 of support to my wife.

This month’s expenses should be lower since I’m not expecting any large expenses other than my car insurance renewal. How was your month?

December Income – $508.56

Here is a breakdown of my income for December.

Interest$174.51
Dividends$20.47
Job$22.09
Cash Back$9.60
Amazon Merch$0
Mystery Shop$220
Ebay$0
Other Selling$22.42
Surveys$39.47
Total$508.56

December was not a good income month since I was in Thailand and unavailable for work most of the month.

Dividend income came in at $20.47.

Interest income was $174.51.

I received $9.60 in cash back.

I made $22.09 in job income. That was the payout of my PTO. I’ll try to line up a job for when I return to the U.S. Since I won’t get back until January 29th, I won’t get paid this month even if I am able to work the last couple days of the month.

I made $220 from mystery shopping. I also got a free meal. They offered me increased pay to do some shops that were about to miss their deadline so I completed some shops that wouldn’t normally be worthwhile.

I made $21.09 from other selling.

I made $39.47 from surveys. Unfortunately, I am not allowed to complete the surveys when I’m in Thailand. I still need something to make income while here in Thailand. It may not matter now since my wife should be coming to the U.S. in the next few months.

Although, I won’t have any job income this month will be a better income month due to cashing in a couple of I-bonds. I’m hoping I will have more income than expenses this month.

How was your month?