Every month, I post a report of our expenses to show that it is possible to live a comfortable, exciting and relatively adventurous life without being rich. Or even without owning/earning a lot of money. That being said, Mark and I seem to manage one big expense a month for some reason, whether it is car, plane, travel or computer-related. Luckily, we live totally rent-free and in comfort, wherever we end up. 🙂
This report includes ALL of our expenses, in US$, for the two of us. Under groceries we incorporate all the food, produce and non-alcoholic drinks (100% orange juice, oat milk for Mark and organic 2% milk for me) predominantly bought in supermarkets. Toiletries belong in that category as well. Dining out means eating at a restaurant/event or purchasing take-out food. I read somewhere that "dining out" is meant to happen in fancy places. Not here! But, I do like the term "dining out" better than "eating out", so I'm keeping it. The health category covers medicines and Mark's vitamins and supplements. Utilities are always Skype-related, now that our internet is free and our phone costs are business-deductible. You don't see heath care costs, because Mark and I are eligible for free health care in the state of Massachusetts, since our income is in the lowest bracket. I still pay a small three-monthly fee in Belgium for health care (required to keep my citizenship), which I will report on at the end of the year.
Here is an overview of our expenses in July. After months of trying to stay under $1000, we finally succeeded! Still, our daily expenses while traveling on our sailboat or our camper were much lower. Blame it on all the seducing and endless choices of and in US stores... Consumerism is slowly getting to us. Help!
August 8, 2016 at 17:53
I think dining out should definitely apply to a wedding anniversary!
August 9, 2016 at 09:00
You got a point there, Anabel! We picked a cute, laid-back restaurant for that, over an hour away, on the return trip from helping out with the wood firing kiln. Not much choice in our neck of the woods! 🙂
August 8, 2016 at 20:22
Wow, that’s excellent! You two have done such a great job proving that one doesn’t have to spend a ton of money to live well. I’d love to read about how you are able to secure home-sitting opportunities along the way.
August 9, 2016 at 09:04
Thanks, Janis. I think you two would do well traveling on your retirement “income”, and have a good time without going overboard. If you were to rent (or sell) your house, life would be perfect (and luxurious) on the road. 🙂 But, you wouldn’t have your place of comfort and familiarity to return to. There is definitely a blog post about securing house sitting opportunities in the future. I just have so much to share and write about… We just can’t sit still (during the weekends). 🙂
August 16, 2016 at 16:50
Hi Janis, I just realized that I actually wrote a blog about that a few months ago: https://www.roamingabout.com/how-to-find-the-right-house-sit/ Anybody who is responsible and loves animals can do it! 🙂
August 9, 2016 at 12:40
Liesbet each time I read your monthly expense report I sit here for a few minutes in awe. I’m sure you could teach classes, sell an e-book, etc with the way to live a simpler more economical life. Well done and inspiring.
August 9, 2016 at 13:26
Thanks, Sue. There are many other people out there who have approached that “frugality” concept and idea, and are making money with it (ironically enough). Whether they are better at selling themselves or at the whole concept, I don’t know. For sure, we are being an open book and providing honest and up-to-date information, but I actually don’t know how to go about spreading the word so it would appeal to many, the theme to be incorporated in their own ways. I like your idea, though, and might write a few topic specific blogs in the future. Oh, and I would love to be a personal assistant or life coach to individuals as well. Maybe one day. I seem to always be pretty busy. 🙂