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.
February was a good month and the cheapest one since April 2019. That makes two months in a row under $1,000. Let’s see how long we can keep this up. 🙂
We did spend a little bit of money on camping – happy to stay somewhere multiple nights in a row WITH smooth, groomed, comfortable grass. You know, the kind on which you walk barefoot and Maya relaxes bug-free, rolling around without picking up leaves, branches, needles, or burrs. The kind that is quite rare, especially boondocking. The surrounding area offered nice hiking trails as well.
Extra costs in February went to a new bike cover and the annual Massachusetts tax for our van (both under “camper”) and to internet, propane, and dump stations in the “utilities” category. Our monthly AT& T internet (phone) bill is usually $35. Except, this amount actually gets paid every four weeks. Last month is where this caught up with us and we had to pay twice. Darn leap day!
Our shiny new bike bag – they seem to last about one year in the elements and cost $15 more than last year!
In Florida – as opposed to other states we have visited – it’s difficult to find free dump stations, so we look for the cheapest options. Once, we used a free one and decided to support this RV center’s “generosity” and buy their propane, not even researching the competition. Ha! It was the most expensive propane we ever bought in the US: $4 per gallon. In a way, we paid for this free dump and water fill-up as well.
And, for the loyal expense report follower, who scrutinizes our monthly numbers: guess which category is missing in February? It’s something that was always present, but we really tried hard to keep it at zero this month (I cheated a tad by buying Mark a little bit as part of his birthday gift) …
March 11, 2020 at 18:29
The missing category – Alcohol? So was Mark’s birthday gift a bottle of booze?
Once again – amazing how cheaply you live! I’m always surprises at how little you spend on gas. I suppose you didn’t drive much in February?
I love Live Oaks. I wonder where the largest one is.
March 12, 2020 at 10:45
I knew you’d be on the ball, Duwan! Yes, we vowed to not spend money on alcohol in February, as we had some wine and beer left from the previous month. But, it was a stretch. Then, I realized it would be Mark’s birthday on March 1st and he loves Flor de Cana rum, which we’d found for $20 a 1.75l bottle in Winn Dixie and comes with a free 2l bottle of soda. This deal is hard to pass up, so it became part of his birthday gift. We traded the big bottle of soda for a small one. “Problem” solved. 🙂
Our Zesty’s fuel economy is 23 miles per gallon, which is pretty good. And, you’re right, we didn’t drive much in February. Usually, our diesel cost is much higher.
March 12, 2020 at 10:45
I think it should be your quest to find the largest live oak when you visit Florida again. 🙂
March 11, 2020 at 18:34
You two should have your own TV show! This is amazing, Liesbet. Let’s get it under $750…LOL. Easy for me to say, right? Thanks for sharing.
March 12, 2020 at 10:49
Wouldn’t that be fun to have our own TV show? Of course, we could start a YouTube channel. If only we’d enjoy that idea of filming our entire life and spending even more hours behind the computer editing film. 🙂
It’s been a LONG time since we spent under $750 a month. That happened frequently when we were on our sailboat in remote island chains, because there was nowhere to spend money. Of course, we’d spent thousands ahead of time stocking up our boat! It’s all about the average at the end of the year.
March 11, 2020 at 20:53
That is really low. And Maya helped by being cheap as well.
Sorry about the expensive propane, but that was a nice thing to do.
March 12, 2020 at 10:50
Hi Alex! Yes, Maya “behaved” in February. No food or medicine expenses, as this was taken care of the month before and – more food – this month.
March 11, 2020 at 22:54
Wow, well done! I’m guessing the “drinking out” category is the one you sneaked in…? 🙂
March 12, 2020 at 10:54
I think we usually have the “drinking out” category each month, unless we spend the entire month in the boonies (which has happened), but I wonder whether this category was higher than other months, as we vowed to not buy alcohol in February.
March 12, 2020 at 02:18
Yay, for the $813 expenses payable in February. I blush to say we pay out that amount in a week! Without leap year, yours would have been even lower. I agree with Jill, you two should have your own TV show, a guest appearance every so often to “tell it like it is” on the road!
Proud of your two! 😀
March 12, 2020 at 10:58
Hi Marian!
Life in a house is always more expensive than on the road (or on the water) – just think about utilities, or garbage pick-up, or mortgage payments, or maintenance. Also, one of the reasons our expenses are often low is because we don’t spend money on entertainment and fun. We’re in Florida for months and we don’t even go to Disney World, for example. One day, this will change.
I wouldn’t say “no” to invitations where I can share some of our tips or talk about our adventures. 🙂
March 12, 2020 at 06:22
Impressive management
March 12, 2020 at 10:59
Thanks, Derrick. We don’t put too much value in “stuff”, stick to a healthy plant-based diet, and make sure we have all we need. Sometimes, it would be nice to get or do more things in the “want” category, though. 🙂
March 12, 2020 at 14:16
Your budget is always so impressive, but this one was amazing! Curious: when you find a nice, free place to stay, is there a day limit, or can you usually stay as long as you want (within reason)? If there is a limit, who polices it?
March 17, 2020 at 10:55
Hi Janis!
Great question. The time you’re allowed to stay at these boondocking spots varies. Out west, on BLM land, I believe it’s two weeks at a time in the same spot/area. Rangers or Sheriffs might swing by to enforce this, but we’ve never had a visit there.
In Florida, there are different Water Management Districts, with their own rules. Some of the campgrounds have a host to enforce the length of the stay and check on permits, others have rangers swing by once in a while to check on permits and kick out people who overstay. The SW Florida District lets campers stay for six consecutive days. You have to leave for one night and can then return for another six days. I don’t think there’s a maximum there. The Southern Florida District allows stays for eight days. Again, you can leave one night and return for up to one month each calendar year.
When we stay in city parking lots that allow free (overnight) parking, we usually only stay one or two nights to not “overstay”. Common sense, leaving the place as you found it (or cleaner), and following the rules is important in all those cases. 🙂
March 12, 2020 at 20:58
You and Mark (and Maya) are simply incredible. My hat is off to the three of you!
March 17, 2020 at 10:56
Thanks, Donna. Make sure you wear that hat back on your head when summer arrives. 🙂 We hope you and Richard are doing well!
March 12, 2020 at 21:28
Hello, Liesbet. Florida looks as beautiful as I remember from our travels there and the first time I saw an alligator! A real one, just stretched out in the sun on the walkway to a park. Not a good idea for Maya! I admire your adventurous spirit and travels (and that birthday celebration with Mark). I hope you find a warm and safe place to stay in the next several months, far from the corona virus. Consider Tucson once again? Best, Beth
March 17, 2020 at 11:00
Hi Beth!
We actually are considering Tucson, as good friends are hunkered down there at the moment on a vacant lot. Mark and I haven’t spent much time in that area and would love to return one day. 🙂
We recently saw our first alligator on this Zesty journey as well, lounging on the banks of a pond. Maya didn’t notice him. Soon, we hope to do more “gather gazing”, but we will leave her in the camper. We will have to plan this early in the morning, as it’s getting incredibly hot in Southern Florida already.
Stay safe and healthy!
March 14, 2020 at 12:14
Well I admit to reading the comments. I think it was very clever to give Mark alcohol for his birthday. Two birds with one stone so to speak. I also like the idea of a TV show. My guess is it would be very popular.
March 17, 2020 at 11:04
You are all funny about that TV show, Sue. Nobody is even interested in picking up my memoir, let alone anything else. Too many people are doing what we are doing, so we will just remain underdogs.
Yes, buying Mark a bottle of his favorite rum as one of my gifts did the trick. I can’t take him south of the border for dinner every year! 🙂
March 16, 2020 at 13:40
Liesbet, you two are amazing! You manage to live a wonderful life on an impressive budget. You have obviously distilled a science into an art, and we should all take lessons from you! 🙂 ~Terri
March 17, 2020 at 11:09
Hello Terri! I like your expression “distilling silence into an art”. Thank you for that. While it comes naturally to keep our budget low wherever possible, I understand it’s not that easy for everyone. And, speaking of art and science, you and James have mastered a few of those skills as well, especially when it comes to travel, downsizing, blogging, and priorities! 🙂
March 18, 2020 at 12:51
Wow. That is one tight budget. Way to go.
Anna from elements of emaginette
March 18, 2020 at 21:56
Thanks, Anna! We will see how the rest of the year turns out… 🙂
April 17, 2020 at 03:09
Liesbet, incredible how frugally the three of you manage to live! Although I had to watch expenses very carefully earlier in my life, I like the freedom I have now to not have to worry too much about money.
Jude
April 17, 2020 at 16:33
Hi Jude! One day, I hope to achieve that freedom as well. But, looking at the way we choose to live our lives – making just about enough to live off – I don’t see that change any time soon. I realize it’s still our choice, though. 🙂