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.
In July, we boondocked in the woods of White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire, with Zesty for a week and stayed put in our “room above the garage” in Newburyport, Massachusetts for the rest of the month. Our time in nature cost approximately the same as not going anywhere, except for the fuel. We bought groceries and alcohol as usual and camped for free. Yet, the camper expense was higher than normal, because Mark replaced a heating element.
Early in the month, we had dinner with relatives outside on picnic tables at a brewery. That was the first time we ate “out” in months and probably the last time. We prefer take-out, which we ended the month with. Of the four items we ordered at this Thai restaurant, two were wrong. I guess we will stick to cooking ourselves from now on!
And, there is a new expense category! Writing. It immediately became the highest cost of the month. Almost $500. That amount in July went to my editor and is half of her fee for the first round of (substantive) edits she performed for my travel memoir. This month, we paid the same amount and I expect two more expenses like these for the second round of edits in September.
Where we saved money is by taking advantage of a credit card offer I wrote about last month. Because of using our miles at 1.5x their value for groceries and restaurant expenses, our actual spending in July was $496 dollars less than reflected in the total underneath.
I don’t tire of this view of the White Mountains!
On paper, it was a relatively expensive month for us, about $100 above our monthly average, but that’s mostly due to a new “investment”. I hope to earn that back one day. 🙂
I encourage any questions and thoughts in the comment section underneath!
To learn 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.
August 8, 2020 at 14:16
Hi Liesbet! Another great month for you regardless if it was a tiny bit over your usual budget. I appreciate that you found it better to do take-out than to eat in a restaurant but I have to confess that going on and sitting on a patio and have someone serve me food was such a treat! We didn’t do it a lot but while we were in the mountains the temps were perfect and the place we went seemed very careful about keeping our tables far apart and wearing masks. So far so good. Glad you have a place to “park” yourselves for a while until it will be time to move on…and yes! Good for you for investing in your writing career! ~Kathy
August 9, 2020 at 12:54
Hi Kathy!
We enjoy sitting out and being served as well. We never used to do it much, though, so we don’t miss it. We might splurge once a month still. We definitely prefer that to going inside a restaurant and eating out. The way we see it is as four steps of Covid-risk. Eating at home – no risk. Take-out – some risk. Eating outdoors at a restaurant – more risk. Eating indoors at a restaurant – most risk. 🙂
Here in MA, businesses are really good about social distanced tables and mask wearing. It is the law in our town. Yesterday, the rules got even stricter: masks are mandatory now everywhere in the center of town and on the rail trails. This ain’t over yet.
August 8, 2020 at 14:34
Investing in yourself/your career is never a bad idea, and bonus–those expenses are a write off! In Canada, writers are always expected to claim a loss. I know it’s different in the US, but if you do make any money from your articles or any writing this year, you should be able to claim the editing fees.
August 9, 2020 at 12:58
Hi JH! Thanks for the idea about claiming my business expenses on the tax forms. I am registered as a self-employed freelancer (writing and editing), so we always write off my expenses. But, our income is usually too low to have to pay taxes (other than the self-employed taxes) anyway, so it usually doesn’t matter. This investing in myself is a new thing. We will see how it goes! 🙂
August 8, 2020 at 14:56
I think it’s awesome that you’re writing a book. Is it going to cover all of your travels or just be focused on a certain period of time?
August 9, 2020 at 13:02
My travel memoir covers a decade in my life (my thirties), which mostly took place on a sailboat in the tropics. It’s a combination love story – adventure tale; an intriguing read aimed for the general public, not just sailors. If you’re interested in the premise, click on the blurb link at the bottom of this blog post, or under the writing tab in the navigation panel. I’ve been working on this book for almost five years, so it’s time to get it finished. 🙂
August 8, 2020 at 15:15
Amazing minimalist. I love it. $1 for an ebook. I’m pondering that one!
August 9, 2020 at 13:05
I don’t often buy books, as I already have a pile of paperbacks and e-books in my possession, dying to be read, but I try to buy books from fellow authors whom I know, whenever they’re on sale. I snatched yours up a couple of months ago. 🙂 If only I had more time to read!!
August 8, 2020 at 15:35
Thrifty as always, you two!
Last yer, my expenses under “writing/publishing” grew large. In retrospect, I think of the $$$ spent as an investment. And because we itemize on income tax, we can claim these as deductions.
You will earn these costs back one day, but it may take a while . . .
. . . unless you hit the Bestseller list.
Then, I’ll celebrate with you!!! 🙂
August 9, 2020 at 13:07
Haha, Marian, if only. But, we can celebrate even without that Bestseller list, on day. 🙂 It seems like when an indie author breaks even at the end of the day, it was worth the effort. Of course, holding your own book in your hands is pretty much priceless.
August 10, 2020 at 08:52
You WILL cherish that “holding” one day! ((( )))
August 10, 2020 at 20:51
This year! 🙂
August 8, 2020 at 16:19
You have to spend money to make money, right? I couldn’t agree more about doing the cooking yourself, not only do you save money, but it’s more healthy. Easy for me to say…Derek does all of the cooking! 🙂 Seriously, we’ve never been ones to drop a lot of money for one meal out. It’s a gamble. You might love it or you could be disappointed and then you’re out the money. Of course, my health issues have to be considered, too. Good job with your budget!
August 9, 2020 at 13:13
Yes, Jill! You have to spend money to make money. And, you have to make money to spend money. Huh?? 🙂 Well, that’s how businesses run anyway and we have to see our writing “career” as a business.
I totally agree with your sentiments about eating out. Mark is a fantastic cook (except when he’s the one putting 40 or 50 hours of work a week in, then I take over – poor Mark) and we are healthy eaters. We stick to a plant-based diet as much as we can and avoid red meat, sugar, processed meat, and certain oils.
Our main reason to eat out is to skip the daily effort of cooking and dishes. But, it’s an expensive splurge. Often, something goes wrong and sometimes it’s not worth it. Covid is an extra excuse to keep it simple, safe, and affordable. 🙂
August 8, 2020 at 16:26
You always do such a great job keeping track of – and managing – your expenses. We have pretty much used our credit card 100% during this time and the balance due is always a surprise. Fortunately, we are able to pay it off each month but (especially with various online purchases) we never quite know what we’ll find when we open our statement. Like others have said, I agree that your investment in a talented editor will pay dividends in the long run.
August 9, 2020 at 13:18
Haha, Janis. Opening your statements is the opposite of Christmas or birthdays, when it comes to surprises! Our credit card fees get paid off automatically. Using CCs for everything (which was already the case before Covid), seems more like debit expenses, as in a way, the cards act like that; using money we already have. I cannot imagine buying anything that I can’t afford or causes debt. Yikes! I think we’re on the same page with that. 🙂
August 8, 2020 at 20:34
Hi, Liesbet – I have no doubt that you will earn your investment back many times over. I for one will be buying your book as soon as it is available on preorder! 😀
August 9, 2020 at 13:20
Oooh, Donna! You are the best! And now you have me mentally trying to figure out how the heck to put my book on pre-order. 🙂 I’m sure I’ll figure it all out when the time is ripe.
August 8, 2020 at 20:35
Hi! I really like what you say about the less money you spend the less you have to make. I’m all for being frugal, but still enjoying life 🙂
August 9, 2020 at 13:27
Hi Barbara! Thanks for swinging by and leaving a comment. I’m honored by your presence here. 🙂 I’ve pretty much lived by that motto my entire life and it has allowed me to be a (digital) nomad for seventeen years. The “having fun” part often lacks, unfortunately because we can be too stingy. So, we somehow have to find a better balance and be OK spending money on entertainment or fun once in a while. Enjoying life is important, even when it costs some money!
August 8, 2020 at 22:51
Hi Liesbet, I find it interesting how friends and relatives are meeting up. Far and few between visits right now. “Cooking ourselves” is often the best bet. I read how many people do take-out although with inconsistent results. OMgosh on your writing expense. A necessary expense to go forward. And I know you will earn this investment back, Liesbet. I am with Donna, on buying your book as soon as it is available. Your “undies” made me smile. I have said it before, “you have to name it to claim it.” You and Mark are frugal and you achieve a balance that is working for you.
August 9, 2020 at 13:31
Hi Erica! I think you are the kindest person in the world! I better figure out this pre-order thing soon, haha. Thank you for your continued support and belief in me and my writing. Even though our expense choices come easy to us, it doesn’t always mean happiness and joy. Like you said, it’s all about a balance. I hope nobody keeps track of how often (rarely – all our clothes last forever and ever) we actually buy undies! 🙂
August 9, 2020 at 12:14
Sorry they messed up your take out order. Hopefully the wrong food was at least good.
August 9, 2020 at 13:35
Hi Alex! This was the second time we ordered out from this Thai place (which used to be my favorite food in this town) and had issues. We didn’t make a big deal about it, because it was a busy evening and all the small businesses are doing their best to survive these days. We just figured the extra money we were charged was for our gratitude of their willingness to work and serve. That being said, we won’t do take-out there anymore for a long time. Maybe we will try and get a table on the patio, before we leave the area.
August 9, 2020 at 18:16
Impressive as always Liesbet. Not only how both of you manage to live a minimalist yet adventurous life on very little, but also that you manage to keep track of it all. Down to the dollar!
One thing that made me smile is the alcohol cost, just because we often laugh and say how it’s a good thing neither of us drink, or our monthly expenses would be quite high!
Great that you have invested in yourself and I’m sure that will pay off for you in the future. Getting an editor will no doubt help you move forward in a positive way on the writing track.Look forward to reading your book when it is ready hot off the press.
Peta
August 10, 2020 at 20:42
Hi Peta!
I have to admit that it’s Mark who keeps track of all our credit card expenses online and makes sure all is in order. We rarely use cash in the US. Maybe once a month and then we immediately have to record it as this is what we’d often forget.
Are you saying that Ben doesn’t even drink wine? As a Frenchman?? That’s almost like me – the Belgian – not drinking beer! 🙂 I didn’t remember you guys don’t drink. Certainly a good way to save money! I’m always shocked by the alcohol amount when putting together our yearly expense report. I think for 2019, it was over $600!! That adds up to a plane ticket. 🙂
It took a bit of hemming and hawing, but I knew I wanted to involve a professional editor in this writing process, so I just had (and have) to bite the bullet. Thanks for your unwavering support, my friend!
August 10, 2020 at 17:09
Well done, especially considering the extra investment in your career. That’s money well-spent, though. 🙂
August 10, 2020 at 20:53
I agree, Diane! It was about time that I invested my first dollars in the craft. Not sure about it being or becoming a career, though. Writing is way too much work to do full-time! 🙂
August 11, 2020 at 11:23
I am thinking the editing costs will be well worth the expense in the long run Liesbet. I noticed the corona fee expense under medical. May I ask what that is?
August 12, 2020 at 10:33
Great question, Sue! I was wondering whether anyone would pick up on that and inquire… It’s been a point of discussion between Mark and I as well. His dentist charged him an extra $15 as a “Corona fee”, because of the extra protection, masks, clothing, gloves, … the dentist crew has to wear because of the pandemic. We were surprised this had to be paid out of pocket, instead of being charged to the insurance company. Also, my dentist did not charge anything extra during this period. Neither do doctors and hospitals. Based on the business procedures of his dentist in the future, Mark might change dentist practices.
August 12, 2020 at 00:35
What wonderful pictures of those White Mountains and your outings this month. Even as we all modify how we travel, how often we go ‘out’ and ‘see’ others, I especially appreciate you sharing what you’re doing . . . even if that Thai food didn’t meet your standards, those vegetarian options looked delicious. And about the writing, persevere. Having good editorial feedback can be so helpful — and you keep writing, analyzing, dreaming. I’m already looking forward to that book of yours!
August 12, 2020 at 10:38
Hi Beth! We are pretty spoiled with our dinners at home (usually cooked by Mark except when he is working late, like these two months and back at his Amazon job) – healthy and tasty food that doesn’t cost a fortune. We usually go out to eat whenever we require a break from the cooking and dish washing duties or want to try something new or eat something we can’t prepare ourselves. I guess those are probably the main reasons why anyone goes out to dinner, huh? 🙂
Yes, we will both keep writing and editing and promoting and doing it all over again. Well, that last part remains to be seen. Thanks for your encouragement and interest in my book!
August 26, 2020 at 02:55
Paying for an editor is a big expense, especially given your frugal lifestyle, Liesbet. I think it represents the huge commitment you have to your writing and your determination to see your book in print. I really admire that.
Jude
August 27, 2020 at 16:27
Thanks, Jude! I am a pretty determined (and stubborn) person. And, yes, I’m willing to go “all the way” with this memoir. I’ve worked so long and hard on it that it’s important to create an end result that I’m proud of. And, for that, I needed (expensive) professional help. I’m sure it will be worth it! 🙂