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.
The first half of April, Mark, Maya, and I spent in our camper van, boondocking (free camping) and driving. The last half, we lived in “the room above the garage” at my in-laws’ place in Massachusetts. Our accommodation costs remain nil (thank you, Carol and Stan) and we managed to save our April laundry up until we arrived here, taking the necessary precautions to avoid spreading a potential Covid-19 infection.
Usually, when we visit Mark’s parents (our current home is also our residency address), we use their kitchen and share all the meals . Because we can’t set foot in the house, we had to buy a couple of kitchen appliances, which I briefly mentioned in a previous blog. Mark’s research always pays off, as we found a big toaster oven and a one-burner induction stove (both new) for $80. To complete our set-up, we are borrowing a water cooker and a college fridge.
Mark and I did order Thai take-out for our anniversary on April 30th (this is actually one of two anniversaries; it’s complicated), but we used gift money from my parents for that, so no “eating out” category , last month. 🙂
While we might be spending a bit more on certain products in the absence of generic brands or by having to go to different stores during this pandemic, April was another decent month.
To find out what other full-time nomads spend each month, check out the expense blogs of our vanlife friends Duwan and Greg at Make Like An Ape Man.
May 13, 2020 at 14:54
Hi, Liesbet – You continue to be an inspiration. That brocolli dish looks delicious!
May 14, 2020 at 09:36
How I had missed roasted broccoli, since we don’t have an oven in Zesty. One of his few “flaws”. 🙂 Unfortunately, our little oven is not big enough to roast broccoli and bake fish at the same time…
May 13, 2020 at 15:22
I read this but am stunned. I love how you make use of everything. I told my husband about your expenses for 3–with Maya. He loved that she–of course–is just like a family member.
I have a few copies of my prehistoric fiction books left on my ARC platform if you’re interested (I noticed you have an ebook category). Be happy to send you the link. They’ll download to any reader (like the free Kindle). No pressure though. Prehistoric fiction isn’t for everyone!
Enjoy your ‘staycation’. I bet you’re getting cabin fever!
May 14, 2020 at 09:43
Maya is a big part of our family, indeed. One third! 🙂 Unfortunately, she does have health issues, which aren’t cheap. That’s life with a dog! You’re right when it comes to “cabin fever” here, especially since it’s still too cold to be outside in Massachusetts. One month of being cooped up for adventurers like us is a bit tough. Mark is suffering more from it than me, as I’m a busy bee…
Funny you mention your books for me to read via the ARC platform, as the e-books I bought last month are yours! I took advantage of your promotion and bought the first two books of your Crossroads Trilogy. If only I had more time to read!!! When I read books of people I know, I usually leave reviews.
May 13, 2020 at 17:02
Still a cheap month. At least you have a good place to stay now. Just keep washing your hands and being smart and it will be all right.
May 14, 2020 at 09:47
Yes for our comfortable place to stay now (and being smart :-)), Alex! I’m still relatively happy here as I have heaps of projects to work on! I think everyone is wondering when this will “end”, if it ever does. Either way, we can’t stay here forever as it’s not our house. Our gears have been spinning about what could be next.
May 13, 2020 at 17:12
My jaw dropped at this cheap month although I know you are still “roaming about” in Newburyport. By the way, our first apartment after Cliff and I married was a garage apartment. Unlike yours, it was roach-infested and hot, hot, hot in the summer. We left there as soon as we could scrape enough $$$ together for better housing. Ha!
Thai food would suit me for an anniversary dinner too. 😀
May 14, 2020 at 09:52
Not much “roaming about” here, Marian. Except at my computer and in my head. Our motivation level for about anything in life and the future is missing these weeks. I’m sure everyone is suffering from that, yet, unlike others we feel in limbo and stranded. Once the weather improves and we can be outside, this might change… It’s just infuriating how we always hit crappy weather everywhere we go! One day, we will find that place that has 70-degree weather, at least part of the year!
It gets very hot in this room as well, over the summers. But, there is AC, which we use sparingly when we are here. No roaches, though. 🙂
May 13, 2020 at 19:56
Girl! You need to write that shoe string on a budget book! Nice job. 🙂
May 14, 2020 at 09:54
One day, one day… I’m so caught up in and focused on getting this memoir project finished that I might not want to think about writing anything else for a while, once it comes to completion!
May 14, 2020 at 11:18
Hi Liesbet, You and Mark are always such a great team. You remind me how finances can be a challenge and a source of arguments in a relationship. Tracking is a great way to “name it to claim it.” I am not sure whether you have heard this phrase. I hope all is well. Take care.
May 15, 2020 at 10:07
Hi Erica! You make a good point! It is so important to be on the same page with your partner when it comes to money/finances (and a few other topics). Mark and I are both frugal people, as in don’t have (or want) debt, don’t “waste” money, and are not into material goods. We’ve both been careful with our income during our entire adulthood (and even as kids, saving our pocket money). If we’d been off in this regards, I don’t think we’d be in a relationship, or not this long. It’s too important to me, as being like this has “funded” my lifestyle. 🙂 And, you are right, we are an amazing team!! I hope you are both OK as well!!
May 14, 2020 at 21:33
As always your ability to adapt is what inspires me most. Followed closely by your budgeting skills. Looks like Jill in a previous comment is joining me in the cheering squad for a book!
May 15, 2020 at 10:15
Hi Sue! Sometimes I get really excited about the idea of a how-to book about “being a nomad on a budget”, but then, the amount of work, dedication, organization, and time involved kicks me back to reality. Hopefully, one day. Maybe when I’m settled somewhere for longer than a few days, weeks, or months. I’d certainly be up for it, if travel has taken a step back. Hey… wait a minute! 🙂 Nope, first things first. Like Mark says “Better get this memoir published, before committing to another huge project!”
May 15, 2020 at 18:47
Mmmm, I love broccoli, but Greg doesn’t so I never cook it.
Your kitchen set up reminds me of the set up a friend of mine has. She had her stove removed and in place she just has a table with an induction burner and a convection oven.
I miss having a oven too. When we are in a house I always make a big pan of lasagna.
I can’t believe we almost spent the same last month! A difference of less than $5!
May 18, 2020 at 11:53
Broccoli is probably our favorite “communal” vegetable, together with asparagus and mushrooms. My personal favorite is mushrooms.
Our kitchen set-up works, but we do miss a real counter (that can get dirty and cleans easily) and it’s not ideal to have a carpeted room. We do the dishes in the bathroom sink, flush the dishwater down the toilet and have the dishes dry on a rack in the shower. It is getting a tad old, but it’s “camping in style”.
Oh, I remember the joy of ovens during house sits. Normal-sized ovens. I wish Mark could eat copious amounts of cheese – lasagna would be on our menu then as well.
You guys have come a long way getting those expenses down! Well done! Covid probably helps in that regards. May is usually our highest month of the year, so it’s your chance to get us beat!!! 🙂
May 16, 2020 at 12:20
Hey Liesbet! Wow! This month’s budgeting will help balance the rest of your year out right? And if I’m guessing right, your May will be somewhat similar…unless you decide to splurge on the alcohol. 🙂 Glad to hear you are staying healthy and sane! ~Kathy
May 18, 2020 at 11:56
Hi Kathy! Yes, these first few months of the year being under $1,000 will help the yearly average. May is usually our highest month of the year, since our van insurance is due at over $1,000! So, next month will easily be twice as our April expenses. But then, it should go down again. 🙂 Unless I add the editor costs…
May 17, 2020 at 19:50
Wow, that’s great! Especially since you had to buy appliances. I’m glad to hear you’re staying safe and well. 🙂
May 18, 2020 at 12:03
All good and well here, Diane. Looking forward to some sunshine and warmer weather by the end of this week. Finally… 🙂 That being said, our itchy feet might have us on the road for a change of scenery soon. I take it all is safe and healthy on the island!?
May 20, 2020 at 00:33
So far, so good! Our COVID-19 cases are down to single digits per day, and some businesses are reopening this week. Fingers crossed that we don’t see a resurgence.
May 22, 2020 at 09:28
That’s good news, Diane! I’m glad Vancouver Island has seen the worst of it and that life is slowly returning to “normal” with businesses opening. Here in Massachusetts, we seem to be waaaay behind. I can’t wait to finally reach a dentist or an eye doctor to make appointments. Nobody is picking up the phone or returning messages… There is no talk yet of when things will turn here. 🙁
May 18, 2020 at 20:59
Well you rocked it this month staying home girl! 🙂 x
May 21, 2020 at 14:04
Yep. Even less splurging going on than usually! Can’t wait to eat out again, though. Or, even better, hit the road once more. 🙂
May 21, 2020 at 19:29
Cabin fever has found you lol 🙂 x
May 22, 2020 at 11:50
Now we are all “related” – even the wild nomads are restrained! 🙂
May 19, 2020 at 09:20
Liesbet, you guys did very well indeed. Fantastic that you have a place to hunker down during these uncertain times of a global pandemic. I have seen the pictures of your wedding on Facebook (for the Anniversary celebrations), you and Mark looked so lovely. Our expenses have also greatly reduced, since we are now home. Our food bills are very low, although we do get at least one “takeaway” meal from our favorite local Indian Restaurant at least once every 10 days or so. I am sure it has been hard for you guys to stay put and not being able to travel freely, but we can only hope that we will all be able to travel again in a not too distant future. Warm wishes to you both.
May 22, 2020 at 09:24
Hello Gilda!
It seems like most people are saving money these days by not splurging as much (like buying specialty items, going out to dinner, or paying for entertainment), which is not necessarily a bad thing. For personal finances anyway, not for businesses and the economy! I wonder whether this will have effects on the future financials of these households spending less during the pandemic…
You are right that it is hard for us, nomads, to be stuck indefinitely, while not being used to sit still for long periods of time. That’s why I’m adamant about making progress with some of my writing and computer projects. Unfortunately, some of that is out of my hands.
Warm wishes back from Massachusetts, where the weather is finally pleasant enough to write this!
May 20, 2020 at 11:56
Looks like another great month–even with the expenses the way they were.
Anna from elements of emaginette
May 22, 2020 at 09:08
April was a pretty good month, indeed. May? Not so much, as we had the big annual insurance bill to pay…
June 29, 2020 at 12:36
Expense-wise, April was a great month for you. And being settled for a bit gives you time to focus on your writing. However, I can understand how being cooped up in a single room not able to get out much because of the weather would be frustrating, especially when you love to roam.
Jude
June 30, 2020 at 16:35
I was actually doing just fine being cooped up in one room with husband and dog, as I have so much to do and as I’m happy to sit behind my computer and concentrate (as long as the others are quiet), or – whenever possible – just read a book. But, Mark got annoyed quickly, especially since it was too cold in April and May to be outside. Now, things are better, since we just returned from changing our scenery and surroundings for the last four weeks and the weather is better. 🙂