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.
A new expense year has started and I can hardly believe the first month of that year is already long gone. Before I resume “normal programming” on Roaming About next Wednesday – about things other than Plunge and money updates, like… our travels – I will report on our first numbers of 2021.
Late afternoon at American Girl Mine Road, Imperial, CA
In January, Mark, Maya, and I lived full-time in our camper van Zesty, predominantly in the desert of southeastern California, where we celebrated New Year’s Eve with our friends from Ballena Blanca and The Scamper Squad and remained in their company a bit longer.
We had some big health and camper expenses. The first one was planned and the main reason we based ourselves in the area of Imperial, CA, for a couple of weeks: I needed to get a root canal done and decided to take care of this process in Los Algodones, Mexico, where, at US$630, the cost is three times less than my quote in Massachusetts.
Buying parts to build a new Lithium battery bank ourselves involved a huge cost as well, but still only ¼ of the price than if we were to buy the same amount of “power” readily outfitted (which we wouldn’t do). This is a project Mark will tackle in spring and that only became feasible because of our second stimulus checks of $600 a person. We dedicated this $1,200 of “extra money” to the dentist and the camper. Since we upgraded our tires in September, we finally bought a bigger spare tire (used) before crossing into Mexico as well.
Unfortunately, 2021 didn’t start great for me. I suffered from flu symptoms the first week of the year, despite receiving a flu shot in the fall (to avoid potentially burdening the health care system with a flu, when resources would be needed for Covid). Not only did this make me sick while I continued to work on promotion efforts for Plunge, it also involved getting a $75 Covid test done. Usually, I would just stick it out at home. But these are unusual times and we had been camping with our bubble of friends for a while – all of whom had dentist appointments – so answers were needed.
Line of cars waiting for Covid tests in Yuma, AZ
So, Zesty cued in line for two hours at a testing facility in Yuma, AZ (where we also did our shopping, as it was the closest town to our campsite, with cheaper prices than California) to order the “rapid test.” Negative! But because I showed Covid symptoms, the clinic wanted to send a sample out for lab testing as well. No problem. Except… a second swap had to be collected. I gingerly offered the nurse my other nostril for this second attack on my brain, eyes tearing up from discomfort. A few days later, I received another negative result. Dentist time!
The horrific swap – they stick this device VERY deep into your nostril.
My appointments with the Bernal Dental Group couldn’t have gone better! My experience was similar to that of our camping friends Duwan, Greg, Ellen, and Scott. The office was quiet and Covid precautions were taken seriously with a shoe bath, body spraying, temperature check, and mandatory use of hand sanitizer and masks. The team was professional, friendly, and prolific in English. Usually, they start new patients off with a dental exam, teeth cleaning, and X-ray session for US$100, presenting an extensive “to do” list. Because I had specific demands and recently saw a dentist in the US, I managed to skip this process and cost.
Crossing the border is easy. On the US side, you can choose between parking your car for US$6 a day in a giant lot or for free along the entrance road, before the “no parking” signs start. This second option requires a ten-minute walk, which was our preferred method.
Then, you stroll across the border – no paperwork needed – and enter Los Algodones town. All the dentist offices are pretty much located within a five-minute walk from there. During the pandemic, the border closes at 2pm local (California) time. Bernal Dental Group, however, is on Arizona time, which is an hour later. You want to get back with plenty of time to spare, because the line to cross into the US can be long and seems the worst between noon and closing. A passport is required to return. Dogs don’t need anything for this particular border crossing.
Line to cross back into the US. Luckily, everyone wears a mask. Except when drinking a beer.
Mark and Maya (and once our friends) joined me into Mexico to explore, buy cheap medicines, or sit in the park. My first visit involved the root canal procedure, installing a post, filling the gap, and making an impression for the crown. This took about two hours. During my second visit two days later, Dr. Aldo ground the ceramic crown to perfection and glued it into my mouth. Half an hour later, I was good to go. An hour later, I was ready for fish tacos at the town square. I was never in pain and am very pleased with the result. Recommended!
We camped for free all of January, I didn’t spend a dime on my writing, and the alcohol category was low. Our friends offered to split the cost for my Covid test, but we refused. Stubbornly, they contributed tequila and rum! The rest of our monthly expenses was pretty normal. We needed to fill our propane tank, inconveniently right after settling in the middle of nowhere for a welcome break from running errands, and our grocery bill still seems high. But, if you take the two giant expenses out, our total was well below average at under $800.
To see how our friends Duwan and Greg made out in January, click here. Their month looked pretty similar to ours. 🙂
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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February 10, 2021 at 23:31
Those dang teeth screw up the expenses, don’t they?
February 11, 2021 at 00:03
A necessary evil. But, at least we still have teeth. 🙂
February 11, 2021 at 07:52
Two days later for a crown? Now that’s a world record. Glad you got it done quickly and cheaply.
February 11, 2021 at 15:24
Thanks, Alex. Los Algodones is built around dental tourism. They have all the Western services anyone could ask for and the facilities to create crowns. 🙂
February 11, 2021 at 10:00
You made a root canal sound easy, Liesbet. I’ve had several and each was horrible (but I’m a woos about pain). Glad your experience was good and you got to share it with Duwan and other friends. Interesting info about crossing the border. I’ve never done it on foot and haven’t driven across in 40 years!
February 11, 2021 at 15:27
Hi Jacqui!
I was a tad nervous until the Novaquine did its job. 🙂 Then, I put my trust into these professionals and the rest is history. Honestly, I was surprised to not feel any pain or even discomfort. Maybe I got lucky?
We drove across the border ten days ago. Easy peasy.
February 11, 2021 at 10:24
I’m with Jacqui. You are a saint! I’ve had a root canal done, and then a redo of that same root canal. There was no way that I was smiling and eating fish tacos an hour and a half later — or a few days later (either time). Next time, I’m heading to Mexico! 😀
February 11, 2021 at 15:31
Mexico awaits you, Donna! It was, seriously, a good experience. I’m not sure what I expected, but it exceeded that. 🙂 And, I was surprised to not feel any discomfort, especially after the dentist told me I might be a bit sore afterwards. We had been craving Mexican street fish tacos for a loooong time! Surprisingly, it took us over a week here in Baja before we stuffed ourselves with tacos again. For lunch and for dinner. Yep, we are splurging right now. Luckily, they are affordable. 🙂
February 11, 2021 at 10:38
Those stimulus checks sure came in handy for us as well. We finally got a new awning. Ours was literally disintegrating… crumbling.
February 11, 2021 at 15:33
Yeah for the new awning, Ingrid. I’m so glad we can all put this money to good use! Except, in our case, we spent all of it abroad…
February 11, 2021 at 11:01
You inspire me to write about my expenses at the other end of life. Being a household of one, I can keep my utility bills at a minimum. My food bill is almost zero because the County I live in has a program for anyone over 60 to give them 7 Frozen Meals every week. You just have to drive to the Senior Center,, open the trunk of your car, they put the box in and off you go. The box contains the 7 frozen dinners plus 7 cartons of milk, 7 cups of fruit, 7 slices of bread or rolls, and some miscellaneous items. They do this to help keep Seniors out of the grocery stores where they might be exposed to COVID-19. On top of that, the schools give out lunches to the children but in our neighborhood they had too many lunches so there is a nice 5th grader who brings me a bag lunch 2 or 3 times a week. Then, every other week there is Farm Fresh Friday where seniors can pick up a box of produce. My only expense is for fresh eggs ($6) that Jim picks up at the Farmers’ Market every Sunday. This is just by way of saying, when you’re old, retire to Anne Arundel County in Maryland. You can park in my driveway and go sailing from my pier. BUT, I hope to see you before then!
February 11, 2021 at 15:38
Hi Connie!
Your story about how seniors are treated in Annapolis is incredible and heart-warming! I had no idea. Well, I always knew that your city is a fantastic one to live in – I wrote an article for Spinsheet once, called “Losing Our Hearts in Annapolis” – and it truly does hold a spot in our hearts as we lived there on our sailboat for a few months and (as you know from the book) we got married there.
Yes, we could potentially settle there one year (and get over the cool winters), not necessarily in your driveway, though. 🙂 We do hope to swing by again in the future and – hopefully – give you and Jim a real hug then. Enjoy those lunches and dinners!
February 11, 2021 at 12:02
This is definitely a scary time to get sick. SO glad it wasn’t COVID! Tests here in Rhode Island are free. $75 is a total rip-off as I’m sure you agree. However, there’s no price too high for your peace of mind. Going Lithium, eh? We will look forward to hearing how that goes. There have been mixed reviews from others. Can’t wait to see more photos of sunshine and warmth!
February 11, 2021 at 15:42
Hi Leslie!
After a bit of research, I did find a free place in Arizona as well to get a Covid-test done, but it would take a few days before I’d be able to learn the results. That was too long for Mark and our friends as they had vested interest finding out whether I had Covid or not as soon as possible. That’s a bit of the back story. The rapid test at this facility costs $75 out of pocket if you don’t make an appointment and just drive up, or $50 for the other (slower) test. Not sure what it is in Massachusetts, but such are the cons of living on the road…
We are only going Lithium, because Mark found an affordable way to build the battery bank himself. Hopefully. 🙂
February 11, 2021 at 12:29
Hi Liesbet! Glad it worked so well for you to get your teeth fixed AND to hear that all is well in Algodones. We’re just about 2.5 hours from there and have gone a number of times. We just got our first COVID vaccine shot and will be going in late March once we get our 2nd for a few dental issues we want resolved. But bummer about you having to pay so much for your COVID test…they are free here in southern California and we have gotten tested three times now for various reasons. The first was that nasty nose test but the last two are just a mouth swab and SO-O-O easy I could do it every day. Looking forward to your further adventures in Mexico in future posts! ~Kathy
February 11, 2021 at 15:46
Hi Kathy! Sorry to repeat the dentist scope here for you. This time with price tags attached for the entire month. 🙂 I had no idea you actually lived that close to Yuma and Los Algodones. In a car everything goes so much faster! Not sure if I would make it back there from MA or elsewhere. We will see what the future brings. I quickly checked Covid-testing facilities in El Centro as well, which is in California, but didn’t immediately find anything (rapid) for free. I hope to start catching up on blog posts about our travels soon!
February 11, 2021 at 12:41
I usually get any dental work done in Brazil, since it is cheaper and also much better than what I can get in England. Interesting border crossing, sounds like it is very easy to get from one side to the other? Quite an expensive month, but still not bad for all that you got for your money.
February 11, 2021 at 15:50
Hi Gilda!
Great idea about Brazil for health check-ups and family visits! I did exactly the same in Belgium for the last decade, until I gave up my residency there two years ago. So, I’m not paying for health care or taking advantage of the cheap services there anymore. I do miss my personal Belgian dentist, though. We always had nice chats and knew each other quite well. I used to teach his children. 🙂 Nothing personal about healthcare in the US! Yes, this border crossing at Los Algodones is about as easy as it gets. On foot anyway.
February 11, 2021 at 14:39
We know several people who have gone to Algodones for dental work and have heard nothing but good results. I haven’t had a Covid test, thanks goodness… glad yours came up negative. I’m surprised you had to pay, though. Maybe it was because you didn’t have insurance in that area.
February 11, 2021 at 15:55
Hi Janis!
There are a few reasons I had to pay. One was that I requested a rapid test instead of the normal one, since learning the results ASAP was important (I didn’t want to be selfish :-)). Another reason is that we did the test at a drive-through facility. Apparently – and we only discovered this right before getting the test administered – if you made an appointment and planned around all that, it was possible our insurance might have reimbursed us. But, because we were in Arizona, out of state, that might not even have happened. So, it was definitely a case of “Let’s get this done quick and easy and move on about the cost.”
If you count the alcohol contributions we received from our friends (which, of course we always share), we only paid about $30 out of pocket. 🙂
February 11, 2021 at 15:25
Under $2000.00 even with extra expenses: parts for the battery, root canal, and Covid tests.
The line waiting to cross the border looks a little like the line waiting for our first dose of vaccine. Today’s line for dose 2 was minimal. We were in and out in about 45 minutes. Yay!
Awesome, all of it!
February 11, 2021 at 15:59
Oh, Marian! You now had both shots! That’s awesome. I’m so happy and relieved for you and Cliff. Florida – except for the initial lines – seems to have its act together. Just like California. My parents-in-law finally had their first shots yesterday. The next ones will be administered on March 1st. My own parents haven’t seen or heard anything substantial yet. Belgium is lacking!
We hope February will be cheaper for us. It should. Plus, we are paying for everything in pesos, so I can pretend we didn’t spend any dollars this month. 🙂
February 11, 2021 at 16:39
Oh dear, not good having flu AND needing dental work! Glad to hear the end result was a clean bill of health.
February 12, 2021 at 23:02
All was good in the end, Anabel. Just a rough start of a new year, which usually holds a lot of promise…
February 11, 2021 at 20:03
Even with paying for your Covid test, I’d say you had a banner month. Sometimes it makes sense to pay for peace of mind. I’d accept a bottle of rum any day! Malcolm and I have had our 1st shot and are scheduled for #2 in March. It was an easy process, administered through our Publix supermarkets that took about 15 minutes, excluding the time it took to schedule the appointment on-line, which was considerable, but orderly. Life as we knew it is getting closer. Fingers crossed.
February 12, 2021 at 23:06
Hi Suzanne! I’m so glad you and Malcolm received your first shots and have the follow-ups scheduled. It seems to go slow in many areas, but Florida (and California) appear to have their act together. Except maybe the actual scheduling procedure! My in-laws in MA finally had their first shots as well. Maybe there is hope, like you said, that “normal” life is around the corner. I don’t know anyone in Belgium yet who has been vaccinated. Europe appears to lack behind. The mainland anyway. I am aware of UK citizens getting their first shots. Happy weekend!
February 12, 2021 at 10:29
I’ve heard of other people getting dental work done in Mexico for the exact reasons you describe. It makes me shake my head at what the mark up must be in countries north of the border. In the US are all COVID tests for a fee? Here in Canada there is no charge as far as i am aware. I’m glad everything went well for you Liesbet. Lovely to spend time with friends as well I bet.
February 12, 2021 at 23:12
Right, Sue? Mark and I have been wondering about that markup in western countries as well… Also when it comes to drugs (medicines). Mark bought a three-pack of Albuterol for US$7 in Mexico. Last fall, he paid $20 for a single cartridge in the US! The funny part about this story is that when he inquired about the price in Los Algodones for his asthma medicine, he thought it was for a single pack. So, imagine his surprise when he was handed a three-pack. 🙂
Based on other people’s comments and some of my own research, it is possible to get Covid tests for free in the US. The thing is that we always run into complications, because we live on the road and are rarely in our home state when it comes to health issues…
February 12, 2021 at 12:03
This is truly amazing and inspiring. Chelsea broke a tooth and needs a root canal and crown, estimate $2000! I had no idea! And the internet tells me there is a pet dentist in Tijuana. However, I think the costs involved in driving 6000 miles might outweigh the convenience of the dentist down the street. Sigh.
February 12, 2021 at 23:15
What? Dogs get root canals as well? That is news to me. Poor Chelsea! It sounds like she gets into trouble as much as our Maya, who barely has any teeth left… I hope she’s not in pain. The dog fund will be depleted after that procedure. Ouch! Give her an extra hug from us, Lucy.
February 12, 2021 at 23:17
Oh, here’s a thought: maybe the pet dentist down the street can just pull Chelsea’s tooth for $100? I actually considered that for mine. That would have only cost $50 instead of $630…
February 12, 2021 at 18:08
At first when I saw that picture of us standing in line at the boarder I couldn’t figure out why Greg would have his mask off. Then I remembered we were drinking beer!
I can’t believe we spent less on gas than you did last month. It is so odd to think that we didn’t really go anywhere – almost the whole month was taken up with going to the dentist.
It was such a good time, though. So glad we could all go to the dentist together and hang out in the desert together. I feel so fortunate to have found such great traveling friends. And I hope we can all do some more traveling together – soon.
And I’m really interested in those lithium batteries now. We talked to an RVer who has lithium batteries and I was amazed at how long he could go without a charge.
February 12, 2021 at 23:22
Hi Duwan!
I had the same thought as you when I saw Greg without a mask in the photo. And then I saw the beer. I figured I’d better mention something about it in the post, as all six of us have been quite adamant about mask wearing.
I guess our higher fuel cost had to do with driving back and forth between campsites in Arizona and California a few times and then changing our minds about our preferred border crossing…
It is rare and awesome to connect with like-minded nomads, become friends, and then travel together for a while. I wish I could have cherished our social times a bit more. My mind was swamped with work and stress, as you know. Next time we meet, this should be much improved! 🙂
February 12, 2021 at 19:28
Liesbet, Glad you got your dental work done quickly, cheaply and without pain. I bet time with friends has made the trip more fun.
February 12, 2021 at 23:25
I’m so glad and relieved the dentist episode is behind us, Natalie. The next health-related trip will be back to Massachusetts for Mark’s check-ups again, in April. Sigh. And, yes, it was more fun with friends around. I just wish I could have joined them more than I did, since I stayed home and behind by myself multiple times to be able to work on my book promotion.
February 16, 2021 at 20:02
Thanks for sharing your expenditures. I was especially interested in the dental charges as we had full intentions of spending 6 weeks in Mexico – we would have been leaving tomorrow, for 6 weeks! My hub needs a new implant and crown, his old one broke a few months ago. The whole shebang is well over $5000 dollars here in rip off Canada!!!! I can’t believe you got all that done for $700 wow!!!!!!!!!! I also noted my wealthy, but frugal -ish brother spends most of the winter in Puerta Vallarta too. He gets his teeth cleaned and xrays in a state of the art fancy shmancy place and pays the equivalent of $40 Canadian dollars for cleaning and xrays! So I did find the $100 you mentioned for cleaning and such pretty hefty for Mexico? 🙂 x
February 17, 2021 at 12:31
I’m so sorry you couldn’t go to Mexico this spring, Debby. Whenever you can, though, I would recommend doing your dental work here. CA$5,000 for an implant is crazy? More than in the US! And, yes, $100 for the exam, cleaning, and X-rays in Los Algodones seemed expensive to me as well, which is why I tried to skip it. Luckily, that worked. 🙂 Stay warm! xx
February 18, 2021 at 11:03
You know how to budget girl! Next time you’re near Puerta Vallarta, go get a cleaning 🙂 xx
February 19, 2021 at 00:17
Good one, Debs! I think I’ll need another cleaning well before I ever make it back to Puerto Vallarta! 🙂 Thing is, I do get those for free in Massachusetts. So, it’s on the agenda for this summer.
February 19, 2021 at 08:44
Oh, lucky you to have dental on your health plan! 🙂
February 19, 2021 at 11:28
As a permanent resident, dental was not included in my health plan, but ever since I’ve been a US citizen (about one year), dental check-ups and cleaning have been included, in het another new plan. I waited until that happened to see a dentist again! I used to see my dentist in Belgium every year, but that perk has long been dismissed…
March 13, 2021 at 16:46
Glad to hear your root canal was so pain free, Liesbet. I have been lucky enough to have not needed to get one yet. Also, I don’t have dental coverage, and dental work is expensive here in BC, so I think you did very well cost-wise.
Jude
March 14, 2021 at 16:35
Hi Jude! I didn’t have dental coverage in the States for a few years as well and always dealt with dental check-ups in Belgium, until I gave up my residency there. Now that I’m a US citizen, I have some preventive care dental insurance. Inquiring about root canals in the US (and Belgium), I think getting it done in Mexico was the best choice too. 🙂