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 unusual to say the least; our expense categories, our location (mostly apart from each other), and our focus. Plus, the weather was extreme: rain almost every day Mark was gone and upper nineties Fahrenheit (mid-thirties Celsius) for three days shortly after his return…
(Click on or hover over photos in galleries to read their captions.)
Mark flew to Newburyport, Massachusetts, for three weeks to help out his mom who injured herself, arrange the funeral service for his dad, Stanley, who passed away in February, and receive health check-ups, which caused extra stress and grief. He was super overwhelmed and busy those weeks.
Maya and I stayed in our recently-purchased Lance 830 truck camper on the property of friends in the Portland area of Oregon. Yes, the opposite end of the country. I organized our life inside (as we had quickly “moved in” two days before Mark’s departure), caught up with a bunch of internet tasks and work, did an interview as a presenter for my first Van Life Summit, and completed small projects.
Taking care of Maya and providing her with enough exercise also took a chunk of time and was much more fun when the sun peeked out.
No crazy high categories in June. Our grocery costs were reasonable and we paid for fuel once in MA for Mark using the car of his mom and once for the truck here in order to drive it back and forth to PDX, Portland’s airport. Parking fees are steep in Boston, where some of Mark’s health check-ups take place.
Extra categories involved paying for one third of Stan’s funeral service, providing drinks for the gathering afterwards (recorded as a gift; on hindsight, it should probably have gone in miscellaneous as well), and spending too much money on annual credit card fees, because we forgot to cancel one of our cards in time. As I mentioned, too much else going on. While $95 might not seem like a lot to some people, it does make a difference for us.*
Mark bought accessories for a new computer, but ended up returning the device. He will be able to use the parts whenever he decides to finally purchase a replacement laptop. I bought a few more items to organize the interior of our camper.
And, I finally gave in and purchased a raincoat, a garment I haven’t owned in years. There are three reasons for this decision: Oregon has been wet, I’m sure I need one in South America, and I want something with pockets to stuff them with goodies on the plane ride back from Belgium as I’m only allowed to take one personal item for a three-week trip! (Two weeks in my home country and one week in Massachusetts before flying back to Oregon.)
We ordered an expensive pizza for take-out one evening, have been enjoying free music in town on Thursday nights with our friends (hence the drinking out), Maya needed a few items, and – for some reason – one now has to pay out of pocket to prep for a colonoscopy. Sorry if this is too much information. No taboos on this site.
On a positive note, we didn’t spend a dime on accommodation, courtesy (again and still) of our friends here in St. Helens. And we have primarily been cooking our own meals and sharing some of them with our hosts. Once Mark was back, we dove into projects again. Stay tuned while we try and figure out our next move, which remains incredibly tricky and stressful…
(PS: We did have about $500 of Lance camper expenses in June as well, but since we budgeted for that (so far), it becomes part of our purchase price. I plan to write a separate post about those projects and costs.)
*UPDATE: We called our Chase bank to cancel that credit card and they will refund the $95 annual fee (so our total expenses for June 2022 are closer to $1,230). Apparently, this is their policy and courtesy when you cancel within 41 days of paying the fee.
Find all our expense reports here. To learn what other full-time nomads spend each month, check out the blogs of our vanlife friends Duwan and Greg at Make Like An Ape Man.
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July 8, 2022 at 19:42
Love the shower curtain! All the food looks great – especially your soup and of course, Scott’s gnocchi. And Maya is adorable.
I’m glad you were able to attend Stan’s memorial via Zoom.
And so cool to be a part of the Van Life Summit. I hope it is well attended and I’m sure you will be well recieved. Is there a live component to the summit? Just curious.
OK, gotta go crunch my monthly expenses. I suspect they won’t be as nearly as good as yours.
July 9, 2022 at 00:00
Mark is on a “cow kick” these months and has been called “whimsical” by Ellen. Of course, that all happened when we were in good moods and not struggling with one thing or another. We will see if we can keep the theme up. Right now, we are on the lookout for an affordable cow clock.
I hope the Vanlife Summit is a success as well. Mainly regarding book sales afterwards, as I’m not making money with any of the presentations (I don’t have enough followers to boast my affiliate link to). But it’s fun as well and I’m looking forward to interacting with other vanlifers/travelers in the chat box during this particular presentation, which takes place at 9pm my time in Belgium.
To answer your question, yes, there are a few live panels as well and I will be attending one about “relationships on the road.” Right up my alley as well. 🙂
July 8, 2022 at 20:48
Once again, you both did great expense-wise! And, it looks like you ate well too (those egg noodles with a mushroom – parsley cream sauce looks so yummy!). How is Mark’s brother doing?
July 8, 2022 at 23:50
Thanks for the food compliment, Janis. Especially since Mark is the cook in our household. But, I enjoyed figuring out my own dinners and being on my own schedule for three weeks. It was a stressful time for all of us, though, as his visit home wasn’t the easiest. Another scare with his health included. It’s all been pretty tough. Thanks for asking.
July 8, 2022 at 23:18
Just to give you a sampling of what you could be spending. Our furnace is going out and I had three people out to give me estimates. My jaw nearly hit the ground at the first estimate—$15,000??? The other two bids came in at $4,900 and $4,000. We’ll spend triple your amount with one purchase.🤣
Sorry to hear about Mark’s dad passing and the health issues of his mom.
July 8, 2022 at 23:54
Ouch about the cost for a new furnace, Pete! I’m glad you asked the advice and bids of several companies, though. But, of course you would do that. Like any sane person. 🙂 Who wasn’t sane was the person giving you the first estimate.
Talking about one-off purchases, we have a few of those lined up as well at $1,000 a piece. We used to call that particular amount “one boat unit”, because many parts on sailboats have that kind of a price tag. We shouldn’t be spending money like that on camper parts… But, they will bring us easy of use and more freedom and self-sufficiency.
July 9, 2022 at 03:07
Hey Liesbet! Sounds like you had a pretty challenging month with Mark’s trip away, health issues and weather too. Yet you managed to stick with a very lower budget and give us all inspiration. And how cool to be one of the presenters for the Van Life conference. As usual I’ll be looking forward to hearing how that goes and what July holds for you both. (Hopefully much better weather and no drama!!!). ~Kathy
July 9, 2022 at 10:20
Hi Kathy,
I have to be honest about being slightly envious of people traveling and enjoying themselves this summer (including you and Thom). But we will get there again, eventually. 🙂
July, so far, has much better weather and promises a few nicer events (if nothing goes wrong), like a short trip to test this camper a bit before we invest more time, energy, and money in it. And a two-week trip to Belgium, if I can get there (the flights are a mess).
July 9, 2022 at 08:44
That’s cool you have great friends there and could stay with them. Made it easier on you and one less thing Mark had to worry about while he was gone.
July 9, 2022 at 10:22
Yes, Alex! Our friends have been super important. We couldn’t have done this last camper switch if it wasn’t for these two sets of friends in the Pacific Northwest. Not having our own place to work on projects and take a breather is quite challenging.
July 9, 2022 at 10:17
You can squeeze your pennies (or nickels as we say here, though there aren’t any buffalo nickels around anymore). Fascinating. As I read all the stuff you had to do, I imagined the total would be much higher.
July 9, 2022 at 10:25
Thanks for still following along in this journey, Jacqui. We have been crazy busy with this camper mess. This is just a little glimpse to somewhat keep up to date with what’s been going on in our lives.
The total for June is actually $500 more, but these camper expenses will go in a separate report that will detail the cost of making this switch. We budgeted $5,000 to improve, equip, and modify this (cheap) camper into what we want for a South America adventure. We will see if we can stay within that amount…
July 9, 2022 at 15:09
You both must be glad that Mark is ‘home’ – what a difficult and disruptive month! I hope everything goes smoothly for you for a while. 🙂
July 19, 2022 at 06:58
Hi Diane,
While I usually treasure my rare me-time, in this case I was very happy when Mark returned home. During some events, it’s just better to be together with your partner to show support and love. Things are pretty okay now. I think. After my latest ordeal of getting to Belgium (and actually enjoying some alone time). It’s Mark’s turn to stay with the camper and Maya in Oregon. One day, “normal” life on the road will resume. 🙂
July 9, 2022 at 15:16
I know how stressful this time has been for you and for Mark. Family matters are so difficult. Thinking of you both, and of Mark’s health. On the happier side, you’ve made a wonderful home in your camper, and you both really know how to watch your pennies. xo
July 19, 2022 at 07:01
Hi Pam,
Being careful with our money has been so ingrained by now that we don’t think twice about. I mostly realize it when I’m accompanied by people (like friends and family), who spend so much more.
From Mark’s family to mine at the moment. Fortunately, everything is going well with everyone (I know) in Belgium. 🙂
July 10, 2022 at 01:22
Hi, Liesbet – Sending you and Mark big hugs for all of the stress that you have recently gone through. Wishing you a peaceful July!
July 19, 2022 at 07:02
Hello Donna,
Thank you for your wonderful wishes. I can’t believe how fast July is flying. I’m in Belgium right now, visiting with my parents and soon friends and other family members. It’s lovely. 🙂
July 11, 2022 at 13:39
Hopefully things will swing back up to positivity for you guys. Love the look of the cauliflower soup you made!
July 19, 2022 at 07:04
Thank you! I’m not a cook at all and don’t enjoy standing behind a stove, but I do manage to create meals and eat relatively healthy on my own. Especially when I have time and don’t feel like eating is a chore. 🙂
Except in Belgium, where I’m indulging in all my favorite (unhealthy) foods!
July 11, 2022 at 19:57
Nothing like having good friends. And boo on all that rain, but hey, a new raincoat! I’m still in awe at your low cost of living. With the cost of housing now, there may be many more nomads living that life. <3
July 19, 2022 at 07:06
Hi Debby,
I think the nomadic lifestyle (especially with the popularity of working remotely and the higher costs as you mention) is becoming more and more attractive. Soon, we will have to go abroad to avoid the crowds. 🙂
July 13, 2022 at 07:38
Your living quarters look very nice and cosy, Liesbet. A whole month of rain sounds awful, but so do those extreme hot temperatures. I’d take the rain over the heat any day.
Good to hear the bank refunded the annual fee. I wonder how many people don’t know about getting a refund if they cancel within a certain time period?
I hope we get to see you in your raincoat.
July 19, 2022 at 07:10
Hi Hugh,
Here in Belgium the weather is and has been crazy hot yesterday and today. I assume it’s a similar situation in the UK, so I’m sure you are hiding in your cool home right now. 🙂 Me too. But in the home of my parents.
Luckily, I haven’t had a need for that new raincoat yet. I mostly bought it to fill the pockets with Belgian chocolate on my return journey.
I’m sure barely anyone knows about the annual CC fee refund within a certain time period. We didn’t know either, until Mark looked into it, since we were very bummed about the wasted and lost money. There are many tips and tricks to budget and save a bit of money; only some of it is common sense. If I ever write an eBook, I think that will be the topic.
July 19, 2022 at 10:37
We had a one day heatwave yesterday in Swansea, Liesbet. I hated every second of it, but surprised myself by sleeping well last night. Much cooler today, and no more heatwaves on the horizon for Swansea.
It’s all in the small print which I never read. So it would be a great topic to write about.
July 20, 2022 at 10:31
I’m glad you only suffered for one day. When I saw the temperatures in the UK on a map yesterday, it was still all red. Here in Belgium it was the hottest I have every experienced, yesterday. At 9pm, it was still in the thirties. Enjoy the rest of a (cooler) summer, Hugh!
July 22, 2022 at 05:50
Yes, it only lasted one day in Swansea, Liesbet. I was very thankful, but some parts in the south-east and London had wild fires that started because of the heat, and many homes and business were burnt to the ground as a result. Fortunately, nobody was killed, but many people lost everything. However, parts of Europe are having it a lot worse. All signs of climate change.
July 13, 2022 at 13:23
Hi – glad the fee was refunded (nice)
And that is interesting that they want the fee up front for the colonoscopy ?
The medical system has ways to get those extras – we had a family member who needed something done with her eye and the doctor said there would be a fee (and she has two insurance plans – one to cover the copays) so she was surprised – and then he also said the drops needed would be extra –
So – she just decided to check severe else and it was awesome – no extra fees and the drops included – and better attitude of doc!
-/
Anyhow – hope your month of July is going well
July 19, 2022 at 07:13
Hi Yvette,
There might be a misunderstanding. They don’t need the fee for the colonoscopy upfront, but now the patient has to locate, pay for, and buy all the prep liquids and such, while before this was provided at the pharmacy for free.
It’s good your family member checked everywhere for her eye care. So often, providers take advantage of their patients. If everyone would shop around, this “money hunger” practice would stop.
July 19, 2022 at 07:34
Thanks for clarifying that!
And wishing you a good rest of the month
July 20, 2022 at 10:28
Thanks, Yvette. I’m thoroughly enjoying my time in Belgium at the moment, especially the food and the company. 🙂