Welcome to my November reflections and my third travel blogging month in review! I’m excited to write these personal posts to keep myself accountable and to track my progress, especially my travel blogging aspirations.
I’m sharing personal, business, life, and blogging highlights and challenges, as well as things I’m working on.
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Okay, let’s dive into this month’s highs, lows, and everything in between.
Personal Highlights
November was all about resting and hanging out with family: I celebrated my birthday (yay! another year around the sun) and Thanksgiving with my family.
I also got sick right after Thanksgiving dinner (not fun!) but was able to relax that weekend.
I got an iPad Pro (hand me down from my husband) and I was so excited to use it with Noteful. I’m a hardcore planner and journal girl – so I was happy. It’s helped with my productivity.
Travel Highlights
No travel for November! It was nice to be at home chilling though I got bored maybe two weeks into being home. I’m always wanderlusting and dreaming up hotel escapes.
The great thing about November is Black Friday, and hotels and airlines offer deals and discounts.
I didn’t book anything because I have a big upcoming trip in March and I was so busy studying for my architecture license exam. (Big prayer that I finally pass the test!)
We went to San Diego, CA for one night to watch a comedy show (Sam Tallent) at the “American Comedy Co. and stayed in the Palihotel in the Gaslamp Quarter. It was lively, but very loud and not our scene, to be honest. I think the older you get, the more you enjoy quiet stays!
We visited our usual: a new brewery in North Park and Ballast Point at Liberty Station before driving home in our Tesla. We bought our car in July – it was the best decision!
Our car trip was $12 (we charged once) and were able to use autopilot. Consider using our referral link to purchase your Tesla. It saves on gas and car maintenance.
Next Up
I didn’t take any trips in November but for December I’m taking my parents to Solvang, the Danish capital of America to visit and see the festive Christmas decorations.
Passive Income Reflections
I’m super into the whole Financial Independence / Retire Early community, that’s why we got into real estate investing and now index fund investing.
For my birthday, I “bought” myself some VTI ETF! It’s my first taxable brokerage account investing (outside my retirement accounts) and I’m so excited to contribute money to it! I’ve been meaning to diversify outside real estate investing and so happy it’s finally happening.
Airbnb was very slow the month of November, we covered mortgage on 2 properties but had to pay out of pocket for our third.
Our gross rental/Airbnb income was $15,762 but our expenses were: $16,462, so we were cashflow negative $700. We technically would’ve broken even because one of our tenants was late $700 on rent (he’ll pay it in December).
Thankfully, our mortgages and debt are getting paid down every month so we’re building wealth in the long run.
Note: I am including our personal residence mortgage and utilities in the expenses above. I think the big takeaway is to reduce our expenses.
If you’d like to become a host, please consider using my Airbnb referral code. You’ll also earn free money after a successful stay. If you do sign up, let me know if you need any advice!
Active Income Reflections
I run my architecture firm in Los Angeles, California, specializing in residential design. My income climbed a bit in November because I was able to wrap up a few projects – I’m able to charge.
My take-home pay was $2,000 (W-2) and I pay myself 50% of gross income (following the Profit First formula). As you can see, I didn’t bring much money in this month either.
It’s expected because the holiday season is slow for us. It’s a blessing in disguise because I can now focus on other important things, such as passing my test.
Thankfully, I have a healthy emergency fund in my HYSA (High Yield Savings Account)
Travel Blogging Journey
I worked on two Japan blog posts: a day trip to Enoshima and another day trip to Yokohama.
I love Japan and my blog will heavily focus on travel within Japan. It’s the place I’d move to. My husband and I are looking into either a Business Manager Visa or a Digital Nomad Visa.
The challenge with a business manager visa is that you need time to set up a business in Japan. Hence, why we’re considering applying for the Digital Nomad visa first (to allow for a continuous 6-month stay) and trying to set up our business during that time.
We’re just researching a bunch, looking at successful case studies of foreigners who were able to set up businesses in Japan, and looking for the right people to help us.
I will keep this blog updated on our journey to move to Japan.
I had 0 blogging income this month. I’m a part of blogging Facebook groups and many people mentioned getting into Journey by Mediavine with less than 10,000 sessions, so I’m hopeful I can grow this blog and also join Journey.
Final Thoughts
Blogging, and pretty much my social life, are taking a backseat while I study to pass my test on December 27! No distractions for me, except writing this post. I hope to pass this time (it’s my fourth attempt) so I can move on to bigger and better things – like growing this blog.
If you’ve got any study tips or insights on how to establish a business in Japan, send me a message!
If you’d like to support my blog, consider buying me a coffee . I hope to see you out there exploring the world!
