Every month, I post a report of our expenses to show that it is possible to live a comfortable, exciting, and adventurous life without breaking the bank. The less money you spend, the less you need to make. 🙂
This report includes ALL of our expenses, in US$, for two adults and one 60-pound dog (we adopted Maya on June 4th, 2019). Under groceries we incorporate food, produce, and non-alcoholic drinks predominantly bought in supermarkets. Toiletries belong in that category as well. Dining out means eating at a restaurant/event or purchasing take-out food. The health category covers non-prescription medicines and vitamins/supplements; medical contains prescription drugs and doctor’s visits. Because of our income level, Mark and I are eligible for free health care within the state of Massachusetts. For check-ups, we both return to the East Coast.
Last month was quite crazy for us; on many fronts. Our circumstances – hunting for a different camper, picking it up, moving locations, preparing and delivering our original camper that was for sale, fixing imminent issues and systems in our “new” home on wheels, a terrible accident in the family, my mother-in-law breaking her shoulder, Mark having to fly back east, me booking a plane ticket, … (read about it all here) – hugely affected our expenditures in May.
(Click on or hover over photos in galleries to read their captions.)
These fuel prices greeted us when we crossed back into the US after four months on the Baja California peninsula in Mexico.
Crossing state borders again
Scenery along the way – gone are the blue skies!
Finally, Idaho – Mark and I never explored this state; and it wouldn’t happen again, this time around
Driving through part of Oregon again, on our return trip to Boise, ID
Wintry California landscape in mid-May!
The largest cost by far was gasoline for our truck, as we drove north in California, crisscrossed this state a few times between Auburn, CA, and Boise, Idaho, made a “detour” to Twin Falls, ID, to drop off our Cirrus camper, and headed west to St. Helens, Oregon. We knew we were spending hundreds of dollars over those weeks, but were still flabbergasted at the total sum of over $1,000!!! There is only one solution for our frugal budgets: sit still for a long while. Because of all our upcoming camper projects and issues, we kind of have to anyway.
Cheapest price for gasoline on the 520-mile drive. before arriving back in Boise
We often spent between $130 and $150 a tank of gas in May – and the prices are still rising!
Back in the days, when the fuel price per gallon was still under $5. Not so much in St. Helens, OR.
Biking to (hardware) stores to save fuel
Speaking of which, our Lance camper expenses are actually much higher than any other category, but since we budgeted for that (so far), it becomes part of our purchase price. I plan to dedicate a separate post for those projects and costs.
First stop in Auburn, CA, to check out this well-used Lance 830 truck camper for sale (by owner); we spent six hours scrutinizing it and had a chat with the friendly dealer
Ready to purchase the Lance 830
Too cold to eat outside – Mark and I save money by making and bringing our own meals everywhere
RV dealership where the camper was sold on consignment
Posing with RV dealer Glen, who was incredibly helpful with the transaction and communications
Collecting campers in the driveway of our friends
Ordering lots of parts for our “new” camper
Fixing lots of issues with our “new” camper
Lots of money exchanged hands in May
Some of our US car insurance money was still due, as we had paused this policy when traveling throughout Baja, Mexico, for four months. And, after all the driving, Thirsty was due for an oil change, which Mark performed a few hundred miles ago back in Boise. Being able to do most tasks and projects ourselves – now, in the past (also when sailing), and in the future – saves us a lot of money, stress, inconvenience, distrust, and disappointment.
Camped on the property of a friend in Julian, California
Deer in the yard
Front-row seats to watch wildlife
The cost of plane tickets – nationally and internationally – has doubled compared to last year as well. It was another shock to us when we browsed tickets for Mark (and me later this summer) to fly back to Massachusetts and for me to visit my family in Belgium. We used multiple one-way tickets through inconvenient airports, with funky layovers, and without carry-on luggage (yes, that’s a thing now – “only one personal item allowed”) to make these jaunts as affordable as possible. My dear parents covered my legs to Belgium. Thank you!
Home for a couple of weeks
We had an oven – nacho time!
Ready to move locations with our (partly) new set-up
Our other expenses were normal. Before we sold it, we had to repair a couple of things on the Cirrus camper after our extensive travels on the Baja peninsula this past winter. We also thanked our hosts for their hospitality with a few items we knew they enjoyed, and shared some rum and wine with friends to ease our worries a bit.
One hour of fun: visiting Shoshone Falls in the town of Twin Falls, Idaho, before dropping our Cirrus camper off
It was a beautiful day
Our entertainment in May was free and comprised a one-hour stop at the magnificent Shoshone Falls in the town of Twin Falls, Idaho (usually $5 parking fee per car, but the kiosk was closed during our morning, weekday stop), before dropping the Cirrus camper off with its new owners and a quick visit of Idaho’s capitol in Boise, the day we left the area.
On the day we left Boise, we hopped over to the capitol
I am fascinated by capitol buildings in this country and want to see – and photograph – them all!
Getting a cashier’s check to pay for a big-ticket item, like a used truck camper, costs $15 with Bank of America. While it’s not that much, costs like these annoy us. The same with fees for administrative dealings, although the time, energy, and hassle involved are obviously more intrusive.
One-night stop along a street in Lodi, CA, on our drive north – not the quietest place….
Boondocked in Tahoe National Forest, CA on the way to Boise, ID.
Our first encounter with snow in a looong time (it wouldn’t be our last)
We managed to go for a nice, yet short, walk from our “campsite”
Second stop between Auburn, CA, and Boise, ID, at Antelope Reservoir (OR) – it was a long drive
Another cold and rainy night at Antelope Reservoir – familiar terrain now
Boondocked in a national forest in eastern Oregon on the long drive from Boise, ID, to the Portland area.
We didn’t spend anything on accommodation or camping, laundry, water, or electricity in May; something we are very thankful for. Hurray for friends – and family – in troubled times!
Home for the time being
Maya loved it in St. Helens and was spoiled with walks, treats, and attention
