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.
In August, I finished up my visit to Belgium and stopped over in Newburyport, Massachusetts, for a week of medical check ups and time spent with my in-law family and friends. I returned to St. Helens, Oregon, on August 9th to join Mark and Maya in our Lance 830 truck camper.
(As always, hover over or click on photos in galleries to read their captions.)
This past month, things were slowly turning normal regarding our expenses and doing a few fun things. There were still extra costs, we worked hard on our camper, and we hit the road once more. We also shared many meals with friends.
After 11 weeks parked and camped on the driveway of friends (Ellen & Scott), we drove to the Oregon coast on august 18th to spend a long weekend with other friends (Katherine & Brandon, whom we met in Baja, Mexico this past winter), before settling into the house of yet another friend (Patti) for a good week in Bend, Oregon. This comfortable stay concluded a hot month of driving, working on camper projects, socializing, and sightseeing.
Grocery expenses were pretty high (blame inflation) and this is probably the first time that Maya hits the #2 position on the list. We are stocking up on medication for her. Her itch relief medicine Apoquel is super expensive at $2.25 a pill and that’s only when you buy 100 tablets at a time. We also bought a couple of Seresto collars (flea & tick medicine), because they were on sale. Each one of these lasts eight months.
Maya’s Seresto collars
We didn’t drive crazy amounts in our pickup truck Thirsty, so the $284 we spent on gasoline can be called “reasonable” in this climate of – still – high fuel prices in the Pacific Northwest. The computer category is high, because, guess what? I bought my very first SmartPhone. Yes, me, the person who didn’t want – and still doesn’t want – a phone. But, don’t get too excited about me joining the ranks of practically every other person in the western world. I don’t have a SIM card, so can only get online via a WiFi signal and I can’t make calls. This phone will replace my camera, which has been falling apart for years. That’s the idea anyway.
Why did I cave? My brother gave me an old iPhone8 of his and Mark discovered a deal online; we could swap this phone and receive a brand-new Google Pixel 6a phone by paying an additional $160. These phones usually cost around $450. So, I blame my husband (and my brother) for making me buy – and use – an extra gadget. Let’s hope I don’t lose/forget it or have it slip out of my hands. I’ve come close to all these scenarios already!
Because we have been staying with generous friends most of the month, “thank you” gifts were in order. And, we bought a few improvements for our household: a new set of Corelle plates and bowls ($33), an electric chainsaw to cut those pesky branches that prevent us from reaching cool campsites ($25), sturdy bags for our new Separett “composting” toilet ($27), and a non-ticking clock ($10). This last item took a lot of trial and error – and returns!
The other categories were reasonable. The $34 we spent on propane was a waste, since the valve of our tank broke right after filling it. Therefore, it became useless and we swapped it for another, less fancy, tank, paying for propane again! I had a haircut at SuperCuts in Massachusetts. Gone are the days to get one for $20 including tip. I will stop going to hairdressers, unless it costs me $10 or less, like in Mexico.
The $27 transportation amount is also unusual. That’s what I spent for trains and buses to get to my mother-in-law’s place from Boston’s Logan airport. There used to be a direct bus to Newburyport, but this service was cancelled two years ago. Instead of one hour, it now takes about three – and much more hassle – to get to or from the airport.
Our accommodation – camped on the driveways of friends or moved into their guestrooms – was free and we managed to attend a few events with no cost as well, like the Toledo Wooden Boat Show.
We paid $10 to get my new glasses shipped to Colorado, after they were prescribed to me during my visit back East. And, we reserved a particular hike near Bend, but cancelled. The fee for the permit was non-refundable. Mark, Maya, Patti, her dogs Koozie and Pekoe, and I did manage to go on another stunning and special hike in the mountains, for which Patti snatched the permit. Here is a glimpse of that one…
(PS: We did have $617 of Lance camper expenses in August as well, as preparation for our upcoming multiple-year South America trip, 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 in the future.)
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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