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.

Mark is ready for another day at work. Maya is not happy.

Weekend walk along the waterfront

My neighbor/new friend likes to forage, which is even possible in this city. (She received permission to pick the pumpkins.)

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.

Picking the steamed lobsters apart…

… for lobster rolls! Served with homemade fries in the oven.

We finally made a special dinner again for Mark’s parents.

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.

Games at the birthday party

Socially distanced tables for each group of the family.

Cera and Lily turned seven in August.

Gifts!

The main birthday gift: new bikes!

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