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.
During the entire month of August, Mark, Maya, and I lived in our “room above the garage” in Newburyport, MA – no side-trips in Zesty. As I mentioned before, he has a job with the US Census bureau for two months and I’m 100% focused on my upcoming travel memoir. Other than a neighbor I’ve gotten friendly with, we are not seeing friends or eating out, which is reflected in our expenses. I did finally buy some shorts online, because clothing shops and thrift stores don’t let you try anything on yet; fitting rooms remain closed in Massachusetts.
Maya and I met Mark after work for drinks at a brewery – with picnic tables outside – once, I treated my new friend for ice cream (that’s the eating out category – yep, $5 a scoop in this touristy town!), and we cooked all our meals at home last month.
Our twin nieces celebrated their seventh birthday at a socially distanced family party, which called for a few gifts. Groceries is on par with a “normal” month and my editor is, once again, our biggest expense in this report. In general, August was a decent spending month, all things considered.
August 2020 Overview:
Writing (editor):
Groceries:
Clothing (shorts, socks):
Health & Fitness (vitamins Mark, haircut Liesbet):
Camper (repairs):
Gifts:
Utilities (phone):
Dog (food):
Alcohol:
Drinking out:
Household (fan):
Dining out (ice cream):
Accommodation:
TOTAL:
$484
$347
$93
$81
$45
$36
$35
$34
$33
$25
$18
$10
$0
———
$ 1,241
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.