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.)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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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June 10, 2022 at 17:01
That is a lot of money for gas! More than the total of many of your expense reports. But all your other numbers seem low. We certainly spent lots more in all those other categories.
Is this the first time Maya has had a yard and a porch she could hang out on freely? I can see her getting real comfortable there.
June 11, 2022 at 00:39
When we have crazy high expenses in a certain category, we try even harder to minimize the other categories. Of course, this is not always easy. Luckily, we had a couple of cheap months in Mexico earlier this year. Darn, I can’t believe how fast 2022 is flying!
Maya was pretty free in Boise, too. She had a fenced back yard there, but a tenant lived at the back of the house and we never had time to actually hang out in the yard or on the patio. She spent most of her time on or along the driveway, where we were working on the camper. She must have eaten pounds of grass there as we were too busy to keep a close eye on her – other than to make sure she was still there and not chasing the neighbor’s cat! 🙂
She does like houses, yards, extra company, and the freedom to roam (and eat grass and lick underneath the grill).
June 10, 2022 at 18:09
That gas bill is crazy. I imagine it will get back to a more normal level one of these days, but maybe not soon. I hope all is well with your families.
June 11, 2022 at 00:41
Thanks, Janis. The current fuel prices are insane. And, blaming Covid is not the answer or accurate. Some people are taking advantage of the situation and making a lot of money. As usual, the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer…
June 10, 2022 at 18:38
Ouch for the fuel cost. Hopefully you’ll be able to keep it reasonable in the coming months while visiting and staying with families and friends.
June 11, 2022 at 00:43
That’s the plan, Natalie. We are staying put for the summer. Or most of it, anyway. Fingers crossed the fuel prices will drop by the end of August. I wonder if this situation is encouraging more people to live without a car and bike and walk, like you. I’m only using Mark’s bike for errands now as well.
June 10, 2022 at 18:46
We are paying about $6.79 per gallon now. I own a hybrid and a pickup truck, but I almost exclusively drive the hybrid now. I did a doubletake when I saw Humboldt County Line, but that is the one in Nevada. Everyone seems to know Humboldt County in California for it’s marijuana growing.
June 11, 2022 at 00:49
Humboldt County in CA does sound familiar. Is that your county? I might remember it from driving through in the past and we have friends who live near the Mendocino Coast. Not sure if this is at all related. But those fuel prices in your neck of the woods are insane, indeed.
I remember many months ago, when I first talked about fuel prices when we crossed the country last fall and thought they were high, and you mentioned the prices in your area having reached $5/gallon, which seemed outrageous back then! People should stop buying fuel somehow and that would change everything!
If I had a hybrid, that’s what I’d be using as well. Or my bike whenever I can. 🙂
June 10, 2022 at 20:14
Food and gas is just getting worse. I think it’s cheaper inland–my sister in Indiana is aghast at $5/gallon gas while mine is over $7 in CA. Crazy times, Liesbet. Is it better anywhere else in the world?
June 11, 2022 at 00:55
I do believe that the coastal areas are the most expensive. For fuel and for other items, like groceries. Even here in northwestern Oregon, it appears that prices are better in the metropolitan area of Portland than an hour closer to the coast. (And Idaho was cheaper, too.) But, the big city is too far to bike. Crazy, indeed.
I do think it is better in certain areas of the world (like Mexico and other less developed countries) – not Europe or down under – because I do believe that a group of western business owners is making loads of money by taking advantage of this situation. Customers seem to keep paying the high prices for fuel, though… And for specialty food as well. So, supply and demand it is!
June 10, 2022 at 20:26
Yikes, that’s a month of unpleasant surprises. I hope things settle down for you soon!
June 11, 2022 at 00:55
Well, at least I’m settled down for now. And, Maya is as well. 🙂
June 11, 2022 at 00:49
Ouch for all the extra expenses and your poor MIL having an accident. Worrying times for Mark.
Fuel costs has increased a lot in Europe. We are now touring Greece and the price can vary a lot from one place to another. We always try to look out for cheaper places.
I hope this next month will be much better for you.
June 11, 2022 at 00:59
Hi Gilda,
You can now experience first hand as well how prices fluctuate in different countries. We always look for cheaper gas, using an app called GasBuddy. I don’t know if there is something similar in Europe.
Mark’s entire family has been in serious accidents last month. It’s been crazy and has turned their – and our – life upside down. Tomorrow is the memorial service for his dad as well. It’s been a lot of work, worry, and stress. Our life is temporarily on hold.
June 12, 2022 at 01:14
My heart goes out to you and Mark. My MIL has also had a bad fall and broke her hip. She is currently in hospital, luckily she is doing very well indeed. We are now starting to head home so we can help when she gets out of hospital.
Thinking of you and sending lots of love.
June 13, 2022 at 13:55
Oh no, Gilda! So many accidents are happening to people I know or family of people I know these months. The universe is unhappy! I hope you don’t have to cut your travels short to return to the UK for this? Luckily (kind of), patients in the UK and Europe are allowed to stay much longer in hospitals than in the US… I’m thinking about you and Brian as well.
June 11, 2022 at 01:35
Hi Liesbet. So sorry to hear you’ve had such a stressful and expensive month. Yes gas is crazy expensive and I wouldn’t count on it going much lower very fast. Here in Italy it is only slightly higher than California. I’m guessing this is affecting everyone in troubling ways. But then to have your sale worries AND family health problems at the same time makes it particularly tough. Sending peace and best wishes to Mark and you, and his entire family. ~Kathy
June 11, 2022 at 23:56
Thank you for sending peace and well wishes, Kathy. And for swinging by while on your amazing travels in Southern Europe. My family in Belgium just told me that gasoline there costs over 2 euros a liter now. That’s the equivalent of close to $10 a US gallon!! So, I guess Italy is a tad better. 🙂
In any other situation, I’d take a step back from using the car (which I am actually doing by biking to stores at the moment), except that our vehicle is our home which makes it a bit more difficult to deny.
June 11, 2022 at 14:07
Well, the good news is that you will off-set some of that this month by staying put. Looks like you are in a nice place to do just that. Continuing good wishes for the two of you and for Mark’s family. P.S. I’m with you that it’s time to stop blaming Covid for everything and start calling it what it is – greed.
June 11, 2022 at 23:59
I love your positive outlook, Suzanne. Yes, sitting still for a while, doing projects, will be good for the fuel expenses. And, luckily we hadn’t sold Mark’s e-bike yet, so we use that as our transportation to stores at the moment. I’m glad you agree with my greed observation. Some people are despicable.
June 12, 2022 at 05:54
I join with others wishing you better financial times ahead and also better news on the health front for Mark’s family. The old adage of when it rains, it pours must seem particularly apt for you both now. Wishing for better days ahead on all fronts.
June 13, 2022 at 13:57
Hi Annie,
“When it rains, it pours” has entered my mind plenty of times these past weeks. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case with many families and friends I know. It’s just a really bad period for the planet and for human kind – mentally and physically – it seems like. Let’s hope the tide turns soon, because many people are fed up with life right now…
June 13, 2022 at 21:21
A painful month. I know, we’re all living the dream – gagging on gas prices, not to mention food. You’ve done well considering. And what? Carryon luggage only allowed. I could never do it! <3
June 15, 2022 at 17:57
Haha. I had a feeling you might have picked up on that luggage comment. I kept thinking to myself, Debby could never fly with this small amount of clothes. 🙂 It’s actually worse than carry-on only, it’s one personal item only. Not even a carry-on bag, because some airlines charge for that now as well!
We tested it with Mark already. And I think I can do it as well. He managed to only take a small day backpack (it has to fit underneath the seat in front of you), which contains his laptop, toiletries, and some clothes. Our biggest issue is food as we always take our own meals and a stainless steel water bottle with us on flights… And, I won’t be able to bring any chocolate back from Belgium! 🙁
June 16, 2022 at 11:35
That is ridiculous! I can tell you I will not be traveling if that’s the case here! Literally impossible and only would cost more to reach a destination and buy things all over again we weren’t allowed to bring. And in this SHIT economy, I ain’t buying a thing! 🙁
June 16, 2022 at 12:35
Hi Debby,
Flying has only become more challenging and annoying after 9/11 and it’s not going to improve anytime soon, by the looks of it. We would rarely fly these (Covid) years if it wasn’t for family visits. Maybe you can look into RV travel and then you can carry whatever personal belongings you want, haha. I’m just kidding. There are other challenges with that mode of transportation.
Like you, I’m trying to buy as little as possible in this economy. Unfortunately, we happen to be in a transition once more, where we actually need a lot stuff to hit the road again.