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. 🙂 Since July 2018, Mark and I have been combining van life in our Zesty and house and pet sitting, which we did full-time before that. The best of both worlds!
This report includes ALL of our expenses, in US$, for the two of us. Under groceries we incorporate all the 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 Mark's vitamins and supplements; medical contains prescription drugs and doctor's visits. Because of our income level, Mark and I are eligible for free health care in the state of Massachusetts. If a non-emergency were to happen outside of that state, it will be expensive! For check-ups, we both return to the East Coast.
The last days of February, we boondocked (free camping) just north of Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, AZ
In February, our van was our home as we traveled and camped in California and Arizona. We finally replaced the grill, something Mark wanted to do from the moment we bought Zesty 1.5 years ago, but I vetoed, seeing it as an unnecessary expense. When he found a good price, I caved. We were actually on track for the cheapest month in a long time - less than $700 - despite the extra costs for taxes, propane, clothes, and a dump station (we rarely pay for this, but couldn't find a free one in the Borrego Springs, CA area, where we stayed for ten days). Then, we filed the form for my naturalization (citizenship) application on February 28th: $725. Just like that, our monthly expense more than doubled on the last day of the month!
My health care cost from previous months disappeared as our income is much lower than last year. The eating out category was extremely low. Mark and I split a lunch when meeting other Sprinter van owners in town.
And, Mark only needed to add $11 to our T-Mobile account to buy the 5GB ($30) data plan for February. In March, we are going a different internet route... Without the citizenship fee, February would have been awesome!
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March 10, 2019 at 20:40
Hi, Liesbet – Congratulations on a very diligent and well-planned February. How frustrating about the cost of the Citizenship application….but it will be totally worth it!
March 13, 2019 at 09:31
Hi Donna! We knew we had to face this extra cost in the spring, so got it done and over with. 🙂 And, yes, it will be worth it to get the proces done this year. I don’t want to think about how much my two greencard processes cost this last decade, but it was way more than this last step to citizenship.
March 11, 2019 at 06:50
Figures it would happen on the last day of the month. But hey, better it happens on a low expense month than a high one, right?
March 13, 2019 at 09:32
You got it, Alex! We actually considered waiting until the next day to pay (March 1st) to have a really cheap February, but decided it would make March VERY expensive, as we would be spending way more this month than the last.
March 11, 2019 at 12:56
As always – an amazing report and it looks like you had a good time in February too!
March 13, 2019 at 09:33
Thanks, Duwan. February was a mix – lots of working and waiting out weather and some exploring.
March 11, 2019 at 16:51
Zesty is looking really smart with her new grill!
March 13, 2019 at 09:38
I’m glad you think so, Anabel! We agree.
March 13, 2019 at 06:09
I don’t know why your posts haven’t been popping up in my WP Reader, Liesbet. Sorry to hear about the unexpected expense, but congratulations on completing your application. I think it will be money well spent. Knowing you, you’ll be tightening the money belt this month. 🙂 Safe travels!
March 13, 2019 at 09:45
Yes, Jill, the money for the citizenship application will be worthwhile, later this year. March is an expensive month, so it was better to put that extra expense in February. And, you are right, almost halfway through the month, the belt is tightened, as I feel like we’ve been doing nothing but spend money on groceries and fuel!
March 13, 2019 at 09:51
Not sure what’s happening with WordPress, Jill. I haven’t updated it in a while, because I want the bugs of the fifth version to be gone and I need to be able to be in a place to keep an eye on what will be messed up, if anything. Not ideal when on the road. So, maybe that’s the reason of these hiccups. I hope things settle down and return to normal once I’m in the position to update it.
March 13, 2019 at 08:35
How interesting. I wouldn’t have believed it if you hadn’t itemized your adventure.
March 13, 2019 at 09:47
Hi Jacqui! Thanks for swinging by here and commenting! We try to stay below $1200 a month for the two of us, but it’s not always easy.
Since you’re a successful and diverse writer, I hope you’ll visit again on a first Wednesday of the month, since then is when I post about my memoir progress. 🙂
March 16, 2019 at 09:16
That new grill really does make a difference! Ouch about the immigration costs 🙁
March 17, 2019 at 10:48
The citizenship application is actually much cheaper than that one for the greencard, which I ended up having to file twice over the last decade. But, this should be the last expense on my way to becoming an American. 🙂
March 18, 2019 at 23:39
Wow, that’s an expensive application. But, having never immigrated, I have no idea how much something like that usually costs.
March 22, 2019 at 10:39
The citizenship application was the cheapest of all US immigration applications I filed in the past. Because of our circumstances, I actually applied for residency (greencard) twice in the last 12 years. This is the step before being able to become a citizen. That added up to about $2,000 each. So, when I’m done, I will have become an expensive American. 🙂
April 5, 2019 at 21:31
It must have been fun to meet up with other Sprinter van owners.
Jude
April 6, 2019 at 22:10
Whenever we meet other travelers with something in common, good times are had. We all LOVE our Sprinters, but ours (and the other Westy) is the best and the most special, of course. 🙂