My girlfriend and I are spending this week on vacation in Myrtle Beach. It’s my first visit to this area, and we are enjoying it. I’ve never been a big fan of the beach, but that may be only because most of my experience involves the Jersey shore. I’m learning to appreciate the “do-less” vacation, though I still like to take in the best of the area.
I don’t play golf, the activity that, other than beach-going, seems to be the most popular activity around here. We’re staying on the top floor of a hotel in the north end of Myrtle Beach, with an oceanfront view. We’re far enough away from the craziness in the heart of Myrtle Beach, so the streets and beach aren’t as crowded as they could be.
This photograph is a view from our balcony. The hotel room isn’t our only splurge, either. We rented a convertible for the week to get around. With my luck, I expected it to rain all week, but the weather has been relatively good and we’ve been able to enjoy our drives.
This is a vacation, but I’m taking a break only from my day job. I’m still working hard developing articles for Consumerism Commentary and U.S. News, researching topics and outlining questions for the Consumerism Commentary Podcast, and taking care of related business. As I review my monthly finances as I do at the beginning of every month, I consider whether all the money I’m spending on this vacation — and I’m not quite taking the frugal approach this time around — is worthwhile.
We’ll see how those expenses affect my net worth next month. For now, I’m looking at July. The month was not shabby. Five Fridays in the month occasionally present me with three pay checks, so that, in addition to a significant increase in “alternative” income, is bumping my net worth higher.
For the details, continue reading.
With a few more months like July, I will feel much more confident about my ability to leave my day job in favor of working on a number of my own projects.
Published or updated August 4, 2010. If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to the RSS feed or receive daily emails. Follow @flexo on Twitter and visit our Facebook page for more updates.
Rank: Platinum
Luke Landes founded Consumerism Commentary in 2003 and has been building online communities since 1990. Luke, also known as Flexo, has contributed to PC World Magazine, US News, Forbes, and other publications. 
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I can’t do the “sit here and do nothing” vacations either! I usually bring a ton of books so I don’t drive The Wife batty shit crazy! Enjoy the time ‘off’
Enjoy vacation. Any trip away from our normal routine to me consititutes a vacation. The beach is just gravy on top!
What tool do you use to track the value of your Honda Civic?
Have fun on vacation! Jealous of your beach view!
Every several months, I update the balance with the car’s estimated value from Edmunds.com.
Why do you Edmunds.com and not Kelly Blue Book?
It has been years since I was at Myrtle Beach….enjoy it!
I am so impressed at your alternate stream of income…..you are my hero!
Flexo,
When are you going to buy the latest Maeserati Coupe? With a 27K monthly jump, you can afford it now!
My Civic is doing just fine for now. Ask me again at 200,000 miles.
Booooo….. only live life once! Let us live vicariously through you!
inspiring. (=
flexo, what are some other projects you would like to do were it not for the day job?
I’m wondering if i could get some help with setting up my excel.. or get a blank copy of yours My fiancee is spending WAY to much money at the casino and I’m trying to show her without a huge hassle of having to get quicken and then rename each of the transactions(cause they do have part of the name of the casino but it change the rest) she has pulled. I don’t know how to tell quicken whats up but you seem to have a huge grasp on excel and you form look very very nice.