Travel + Finance Update: July & August 2012

Nathan at Dorena Lake!

 

Where was I in July?

  • Cottage Grove, OR: 7/1-7/4 (pic above is at Dorena Lake, OR)
  • Portland, OR (WDS): 7/5-7/8
  • Crater Lake, OR: 7/9
  • Portland, OR: 7/10-7/12
  • Eugene, OR: 7/13-7/14
  • Ashland, OR: 7/15-7/16
  • Santa Cruz, CA: 7/17
  • Los Angeles, CA: 7/18-7/31

 

TRAVEL

  • Trip costs (for July): $357.73
    • Crater Lake Road Trip: $97.27 (my share)
      • Rental Car, Gas, Campsite, Gear from REI
    • Portland Metro, Cab
    • Amtrak, PDX-EUG
    • Car ride from Eugene to Ashland
    • Car ride from Ashland to Santa Cruz
    • Amtrak, San Jose-LA (voucher + cash)
    • Gasoline in LA (borrowing brother’s car)
    • Park Inn in Fresno (for points, see below)
    • LA Metro
  • Hacking Actions
    • Acquired:
      • Entered a Club Carlson promotion to earn 44K points for staying at least one night; I booked this, did not stay, and got the points (had to call, and worth it)!
  • Open Credit Cards
  • Credit Score
    • These scores are reported by two separate credit agencies. A credit union I use provides the Equifax score as an included service, and I signed up with Credit Karma (free) to obtain the TransUnion score. Since the numbers are so similar, you really only need information from one agency.
    • Equifax: 755, as of 7/27/12 
      • Last month: 765
      • Difference: -10 points
    • TransUnion: 747, as of 8/1/12
      • Last month: 745
      • Difference: +2 points
    • Context: between 700 and 850 – very good/excellent credit score

 

EXPENSES IN JULY


  •  Total Expenses: $1628.79

    • Last Month: $1221.52
    • Difference: +$407.27
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About

Former life: actor/office worker/virtual assistant; lived in Los Angeles for 11 years. Since then: sold nearly everything, took a $5 flight to Hawaii, lived there for 3 months, wrote an eGuide about all of it, and still traveling. Currently: digital nomad - looking to improve myself, have fun and serve others.