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 and extensive care, we return to the East Coast.
Even though the three of us have been “stuck” in Cartagena for over a month, November went by fast. For once, we didn’t care, because the sooner we would be reunited with our camper, Thirsty Bella, the better. Guess what? We are still waiting. But the end of that is coming near.
This is where the RORO car carriers dock in Cartagena Harbor
Mark, Maya, and I flew from Houston, Texas, to Miami, Florida, on November 7th. From there, we continued on to Cartagena, Colombia, the following day. Since the 8th, we have been apartment hopping in this hectic, dusty, hot, and humid city, not spending a lot of time in tourist areas but immersing ourselves in the noisy and affordable Colombian way of (city) life.
(As always, hover over or click on photos in galleries to read their captions.)
We booked our plane tickets in early October, using credit card points (valued at US$590) and we managed to do the same for our airport hotel in Miami (US$112) and five Airbnb rentals (the equivalent of US$945 in total, so far). The estimate was to be here for three weeks (an important factor for packing our belongings, toiletries, and food for Maya, all in carry-on luggage), but we will have been here over five weeks by the time we pick up our vehicle at the port. I will elaborate on the why another time.
On our last week in the US, we bounced between uncomfortable overnight parking lots and parks, meeting up with friends and preparing our vehicle for leaving the country.
The last weekend saw us finalize everything at and in the convenient house and driveway of friends.
Then, camper drop-off and moving day happened, followed with the rest of the month living in Cartagena. We had a lot of extra expenses in November, yet we managed to not go too far over our average budget.
I am now reporting on camper costs as well, because the basics of our conversions, improvements, and upgrades were finished in October. I will post a separate report about buying and equipping Bella in the near future. This camper category was the highest by surprise, because, you know, nothing goes as planned…
A lot went wrong when Mark finally dropped our camper off at the port of Galveston, which caused added stress on an already logistically stressful day, but I will just elaborate on one episode for now.
There are quite a few rules if you want to ship a vehicle abroad. One of those, regarding campers, is that the propane tank has to be empty and a certificate to prove this is required. We called the issuing company in League City to inquire about the certificate and were told those are only provided for fixed tanks. We had a portable 20-pound tank, so should be fine. Our tank was empty. Our tank was newish. We taped the purchase receipt to the tank, just to not get into trouble.
Nope. Not enough. We needed the certificate. It was 2pm in the afternoon. The port closed at 4pm. Our plane left that evening. We didn’t see an option for Mark to leave Galveston port, drive to League City 40 minutes away, get our tank certified – or buy a new one with a certified receipt – and get the vehicle cleared for shipment, plus visit Customs, before four. Oh, and the escort to guide you through the port costs $50 per hour and once you’re ten minutes over that, a second hour is charged…
Phone numbers of port escorts on the day of our drop-off
Mark called me (I was waiting in a public park with Maya and all our luggage) and we concluded we only had one choice if we wanted to catch our plane: remove the tank from our camper and leave it at the port. This was a huge problem and complication: our tank had US fittings, fit snugly in its compartment, and all our cooking and heating facilities (including hot water and grill) depended on this particular set-up, which we would not be able to find and reproduce in Colombia (different fittings and tank sizes).
Waiting for Mark in a Galveston park
We were screwed and almost gave up on this whole journey (for the first time). Employees, including Mark’s escort Kaylyn, understood, but there was nothing they could do. Mark continued the drop-off and clearing out procedures and joined me in the park. We felt defeated – and homeless – without even having left the US.
On that picnic bench in Galveston, we brainstormed. We had another hour to kill before airport focus was upon us. A crazy idea emerged, one that would be hard to pull off…
Mark called his escort Kaylyn, asked her if she would be able to deposit a new propane tank inside our camper if we had someone deliver it. The answer was surprising, but music to our ears: “Yes.” Question #2: “Would you be willing to pick one up if we order it? We will pay you for your help, of course.” Another “yes” followed and life looked up again.
Dealing with the propane tank disaster
Over the next half an hour, we called the propane place in League City and paid for a new tank and its certification, emailed them Kaylyn’s information, and copied her on any correspondence with Baygas Propane. Our angel called us three days after we arrived in Cartagena. She had picked up the tank and needed instructions about where to put it – and how to get there. We walked her through storing the new tank safely and securely inside Bella, made sure she locked our home properly again, and sent her $100 as a thank you. Hence our high propane cost last month…
This is where Kaylyn wrapped and stored our new propane tank (we think)
The other amount paid for the camper went to protection (wood to board up the windows and tension rods to keep them in place) and gear to potentially fix our fridge issue. It was our goal to have a fully-working (brand new) fridge before shipment, but that failed.
Buying cut plywood at Home Depot and storing it for a few days – back and forth from the bed of the camper to the back seat of the truck
To bring Maya into Colombia, we needed an international health certificate and a couple of extra shots. That required a vet visit of multiple hours and approval by the USDA; an expensive ordeal. The temporary import permit for Colombia was only $11 and took an hour of red tape.
Back in Houston, we treated our generous and hospitable friends John and Harriet to a Thai take-out dinner. The rest of the eating out category was spent in Cartagena – one “expensive” meal and drinks for my birthday ($60 for two people) in a nice restaurant and the rest on local food.
The grocery category was low – we needed to eat everything up before leaving the US and Colombia is cheap. We still cooked most of our meals to save money and eat relatively healthy. After we recovered from being sick the first ten days, our Venezuelan friend Nathalie, who lives in Manga, Cartagena, invited us over for a yummy salmon-pasta lunch.
We didn’t spend a lot on fuel last month, only enough for dock workers to move our truck on and off the boat(s). Your gas tank can only be 1/4 full. We had a last-minute tire alignment and rotation done two days before we left.
Transportation was another extra category. The Uber from Galveston Island to Hobby Airport in Houston cost a whopping $50 and we have been getting around Cartagena in local taxis. The price for the port escort was also $50.
Cab in Manga’s flooded streets
Our monthly amount for internet went up. We finally retired our amazing unlimited AT&T data plan that was $35/month for years (we sold it on) and switched to a Google Fi worldwide plan, sharing an account with our friends Duwan and Greg. After the initial set-up fees incorporated in this report, the new monthly amount should be $50 for 50 gig of data.
The only other thing worth mentioning is that I finally spent the second half of Mark’s birthday gift for me from last year (November 2021) on goodies at Trader Joe’s. I totally forgot I had some “credit” left for that! As I write this, I’m eating my final dark-chocolate-covered almonds from the US…
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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December 11, 2022 at 10:54
I’m amazed at your perseverance in the most discouraging of situations. You always seem to find a solution when things look bleakest. I hope you have the most amazing adventure in South America and say, “Yeah, all this s*** was worth it!”
December 12, 2022 at 20:39
Hi Pete,
It often feels like we don’t have a choice, when it comes to that perseverance. When all the parts have been set in motion, there comes a time where you can only keep going forward and you have to take whatever happens in stride. Easier said than done, of course.
With this particular adventure, twice we came close to giving up. I can honestly say that this new chapter has been the toughest one to prepare for in our history as nomads. It’s been extremely taxing. But, we hope it will all have been worth it and that we will soon forget those months of distress.
I hope you are doing okay, my friend!
December 11, 2022 at 11:18
Amaz-ing! You guys wouldn’t last a day if you weren’t ingenious and adaptable. The propane tank challenge looks especially harrowing. I’m glad you could finally end up writing this blog post “eating your final dark-chocolate-covered almonds from the US….”
There will be a lot of hurrahs in this space when we hear you are finally reunited with Bella. 😀
December 12, 2022 at 20:42
Hi Marian,
Let’s hope it will be a happy reunion with Bella and not a distressing one. Fingers crossed.
It’s amazing that I still have chocolate-covered almonds left! I never thought those would last five weeks. But, I only eat one when I’m totally feeling for it. I guess that hasn’t happened often.
December 11, 2022 at 11:41
Hi Liesbet! Yes I agree that you two are amazing and incredibly resilient and anti-fragile (you know what I mean by that right?) Thank goodness you both have each other and are determined to experience this next great adventure to its fullest. And through it all you’ve managed to keep your expenses very low as well. I agree with Marian…when you are finally reunited with Bella and on the road we will all be celebrating with you! ~Kathy
December 12, 2022 at 20:49
Hi Kathy!
What a nice thing to say. I hope everyone gets to celebrate with us once we are finally reunited with Bella and can hit the road again. We have now met a few other camper owners here in Cartagena, who shipped their vehicles over. Nobody has been here as long as we have and most of our friends believe – and make fun of – how unlucky we have been with everything. Maybe 2023 will finally be a joyful year! 🙂
December 11, 2022 at 12:55
….and so it continues. Most people would have given up long before the propane debacle. Not you! Can hardly wait to read about and see photos of all the awesome places Thirsty Bella will take you! Wishing you safety and “smooth sailing,” but no matter, you will all be together and overcome whatever you encounter.
Best to you all!
December 12, 2022 at 20:53
Thanks, Carol. Yes, the three of us being together is super important and we have often realized this these last weeks. It’s been tough to stay positive, but I hope our determination and patience will pay off soon. When I look back at previous travels and adventures, there were always obstacles, but, for some reason, this one has been nothing but road blocks. Let’s hope that wasn’t a sign…
December 11, 2022 at 13:47
That was a last-minute emergency you didn’t need. I hope getting to Columbia was worth it. No way to drive to it or is it not safe?
Offline most of the month so wishing you a Merry Christmas!
December 12, 2022 at 20:56
There is no road that connects Central and South America. The dangerous Darien Gap in between is inaccessible. Most RVers drive to Panama and then ship their vehicles to Colombia from there. Since we explored Central America in depth, seventeen years ago, we decided to skip it this time around and make up on time, money, and hassles by transporting Bella. At least that was the plan…
Merry Christmas to you, Alex!
December 11, 2022 at 13:53
All your travails make me shudder and give thanks that I’m not living your life! But as always, your economical budget is impressive. I hope you’re soon reunited with your vehicle so you can begin your long-awaited South American adventure!
December 12, 2022 at 20:59
I sometimes wonder why we get ourselves in all these situations, Diane. When it really gets too much, we will probably start thinking about getting a small place somewhere to take a breather and live in comfort for a while. Aaaah…
Because of all the hassles and insecurities, I haven’t even read about Colombia and further afield yet. One of these days, I’ll dive in and that’s when I probably start looking forward to this adventure.
December 11, 2022 at 14:55
Wow, that was stressful just reading about your challenges. Hopefully they soon will be in your rearview mirror… especially as your drive away in Thirsty Bella and begin your adventure.
December 12, 2022 at 21:04
Hi Janis,
I have to be honest: it’s been a lot these last few months and Mark and I have wondered a few times already if it will all be worth it. We will see. I hope we will forget about the struggles and delays soon as well. Losing a month to secure a multiple-year adventure should be small peanuts. 🙂
December 11, 2022 at 15:24
You three are amazing! What a clever propane tank solution. $2 on clothing. Of course–that’s because you spent all the other money on propane tank issues!
December 12, 2022 at 21:06
Haha, Jacqui. We are so happy Kaylyn was willing to help out. Let’s hope we will find that propane tank in the closet whenever we pick up the camper! 🙂
The clothes cost is actually a residual amount from all the buying and returning we did on Amazon. I think this amount went towards a new pair of jeans.
December 11, 2022 at 15:42
So wonderful of your port escort to help you. It’s just amazing that you cane up with a last minute solution.
When I saw your pic of Cartagena from the airplane window, the first thing I thought was, wow! It’s so clear there. We have just come through Monterrey and it is so incredibly smoggy.
I bet Maya wakes up every day now and thinks, What’s going on? I hope she and you and Mark are back in your home soon.
December 12, 2022 at 21:11
Hi Duwan,
Can you imagine the stress level at that park bench, when we needed to find a solution “right now”? It was all quite crazy. We had been so nervous about that day as a lot of moving parts were involved and could go wrong, but we never thought the propane tank would be an issue! Luckily, none of the things that we thought might be a problem materialized.
When we arrived in Cartagena, it was very grey and wet and it had rained for weeks on end. Our first week was still a tad rainy, but every since then, the sky has been blue, especially in the mornings. This makes it extremely hot, though, with an UV factor of “extreme” or 10/10 and temperatures in the upper eighties that feel like ten degrees more. I hope the weather improves for you on Mexico!
December 11, 2022 at 19:02
I think it is so cool that you were able to take your dog Maya to Colombia.
December 12, 2022 at 21:12
Yes, it is. But, we never go anywhere without our dog(s), so it was either all of us arriving in Colombia or none of us. 🙂
December 11, 2022 at 19:15
Lesser humans (me included) would have folder under your circumstances. You guys are blessed with ingenuity and willpower and I am constantly in awe of your lifestyle choices. Fingers crossed that Bella arrives as planned and all is well. I know you can’t wait to begin the next big adventure. And, I can’t wait to hear all about it!
December 12, 2022 at 21:17
Hi Suzanne,
Based on everyone’s comments here, I have to start thinking that this lifestyle is only possible with ingenuity and willpower, especially when big moves are on the horizon. We knew the road to change continents would be a bit challenging, but we had no clue it would take this much determination, patience, flexibility, frustration, and money.
This time, it seems like Bella arrived “as planned.” 🙂 It was the fifth “planned” attempt. Next: more paperwork and then: fingers crossed nothing was damaged or stolen during the transport and extended time in the ports.
December 12, 2022 at 13:52
I echo the praise of other commenters. You, Mark and Maya are truly amazing. I sincerely do not know how you do it all!
December 12, 2022 at 21:19
Hi Donna,
I guess we are stubborn. When we set our minds on something, we try our best to achieve it. In all honesty, though, this execution of a plan has been tough and we almost gave up twice.
December 12, 2022 at 15:29
Like so many others have said, Liesbet, I am impressed by your perseverance and creativity. Also, I found the expenses interesting. But most of all, I loved the pictures of Maya. We also have a 60ish-pound brindle-colored rescue. His name is Buddy. I hope you have been reunited with Thirsty Bella by now and that you have a happy December.
December 12, 2022 at 21:23
Hi Christie!
Thanks for swinging by, reading, and commenting. How interesting and curious your rescue has the same weight and color scheme as our Maya. It sounds like they could be siblings! Where did you adopt Buddy?
We hope to be reunited with Thirsty Bella by Wednesday. Fingers crossed all that goes well. We will need a couple of days to get everything “shipshape” again and stick up on propane, water, and food, but this weekend, we should be able to finally start this new adventure.
December 12, 2022 at 21:29
Just wow! You know you need to write a travel guide now relocating to Colombia from the US and what’s involved! I sure hope you get your camper soon. Thank goodness for a helper angel. And oh, I love those Trader Joe chocolate bars! Be safe, and breathe! Holiday hugs. <3 xx
December 13, 2022 at 08:54
Hi Debby!
Can you believe I still have some of those chocolate-covered almonds left, six weeks after buying them? I better finish them off soon, since I won’t have fridge the next two nights… I am playing with the idea of writing up a blog or article about our Airbnb experiences and the steps involved about transporting a camper abroad. Writing travel guides seems like a lot of work! 🙂
December 13, 2022 at 09:43
I think that’s a great idea. You’re like a trail blazer and I’m sure people who travel like you, would appreciate your guidance. As for the chocolates – fridge or not, they’d be long gone if it was me, LOL 🙂 <3
December 23, 2022 at 06:55
Debby, I feel a bit overwhelmed with all the topics I could write about, article ideas, and blog posts. So much has happened and we’ve gathered so much information over these last months that my brain is bubbling over. 🙂 Yet, I’m back on the road and that means 100% focus on our life, errands, camper, route, Maya, and trips.
December 23, 2022 at 11:04
I have no doubts! Just journal events and your thoughts, and one day, when you’re ready to do another book, you’ll have so much material 🙂 x
December 26, 2022 at 14:28
Too much material! 🙂
December 13, 2022 at 19:17
$1400 for the month is remarkable. Bravo!
December 23, 2022 at 06:56
Thanks, Susan. We are hoping – and thinking – it will be much less once we have our traveling lives established in Colombia.
December 13, 2022 at 22:28
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it all comes together for you soon, and you’ll truly be able to start this amazing adventure!
December 23, 2022 at 06:57
Thanks, Deb! Lift off has happened. We picked up the camper a good week ago and drove for days to get our camper and life back together and escape into the mountains, where we have found perfect weather, friendly people, a cute town, and amazing scenery. 🙂