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 within the state of Massachusetts. For check-ups, we both return to the East Coast.
The first week of July was spent in our camper van (Ontario, Quebec, and Vermont). The rest of the month, Mark, Maya, and I have been living with my in-laws in Massachusetts. We are hitting the road again this weekend.
Using our friend Ryan's driveway (and tools) to replace Zesty's brakes this past weekend.
As usual, the biggest expense category was Zesty, as we had to drive all the way to Newburyport, MA and planned more projects. The estimate by mechanics to replace the brakes of our van was $1800, for parts and eight hours of work. Instead, Mark ordered the parts online ($300), bought extra tools ($100), and performed the job himself with the help of his friend and yours truly. We completed this extensive task (thanks to all Mark's research and studying YouTube videos ahead of time) within five hours! So, yes, we spent a lot of money on our camper again, but we are improving everything as cheaply as possible, and learning new trades.
While registered in Massachusetts, our home on wheels had actually never been there. So, from the moment we crossed the state line, we had Zesty inspected and received the sticker. Other extra expenses came in the form of ordering vitamins and - being back in our home state - going to the doctor for check-ups and taking a nephew and his new wife out for a nice dinner.
Taking Randall and Rebeccah out for dinner to celebrate their wedding.
Dog (Maya) is our newest category and her "wardrobe" is constantly expanded. In July, we bought more food, heart worm medicine (frugal tip: it's much cheaper to order this online from Canada or Australia instead of in the US), and products to battle her itchiness. We are looking into GPS trackers after last month's scary escape story and donated money to Missing Dogs Massachusetts, who were a great help!
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August 5, 2019 at 12:55
The photo shows a dramatic juxtaposition: a house anchored in the soil, and your house, ready to roam about since the repairs are made. Your Mark reminds me of Joel, our son, who has mechanical instincts too. He can fix anything with online parts and a little help from friends.
I notice you are also being frugal with purchasing Maya’s needs. You two are amazing!
August 6, 2019 at 15:07
Thank you for all the compliments, Marian. We lead a busy life, whether we are on the road or off the road. I’m always overwhelmed! But, I’m so glad that this brake project is done as it’s been weighing on us for several months and required a lot of research and planning. The first weekend we hoped to do it, it was 100 degrees (and Maya disappeared), then, Mark had a window fall on his finger as he installed an air conditioner for his brother. We thought it was broken (the finger), but X-rays luckily showed it was not. The finger healed enough just in time, as it was the last weekend we could do it… Phew. Contacting agents now and hitting the road again on Saturday, when all memoir work will be paused again! 🙁
August 5, 2019 at 13:27
Hi Liesbet! Once again you have done an amazing job being frugal and still enjoying yourselves. Of course it helps a LOT that Marc is very mechanical and can figure out how to do many of your needed repairs with your help. And yes, isn’t Youtube amazing with all sorts of useful info? Looking forward to hearing where you go and what you do next. ~Kathy
August 6, 2019 at 15:09
Mark uses YouTube all the time for projects like these, Kathy. When having internet. 🙂 And, yes, we are fortunate that he is technical and willing to learn everything hands-on, a habit from when we lived on the boat for eight years and had to be even more self-sufficient (and budget-conscious). I can call myself a good, helpful, and patient assistant. 🙂
August 5, 2019 at 14:30
You two make a great team, Liesbet! Nice job on your July expenses. Car repairs can be outrageous, it’s a good thing Mark likes to tinker and figure things out. Happy trails!
August 6, 2019 at 15:10
I’m so glad you call us a great team, Jill – I totally think so too and it is one of the reasons why our marriage in challenging conditions has survived! We are very in tune with each other, something that organically grows as you live 24/7 together since the day you became a couple. 🙂
August 6, 2019 at 15:32
Well now…I have another book idea for you. The Art of Keeping a Marriage Together. 🙂 Don’t you love how I’m coming up with all of these books for you to write? LOL! I’m happy you found each other, Liesbet.
August 6, 2019 at 15:48
Haha! That is another great topic for a “how-to” book I could write, Jill. Thanks! So many ideas, so much material, so little time. If I wasn’t so fond of traveling and making my life as challenging as possible, all I would do is write articles and books. But, what would they be about then? 🙂
August 6, 2019 at 16:44
🙂 Keep doing what you’re doing!
August 7, 2019 at 12:13
🙂
August 5, 2019 at 17:32
Replacing the brakes yourself – that is impressive! You two make a good team.
Sorry, I missed the scare with Maya! Glad she is still with you.
August 6, 2019 at 15:12
Thanks for reading and commenting, Alex. I know you have an incredibly busy schedule. And, yes, replacing the brakes was a big ordeal and project. I never actually ever know what I/we get ourselves into, which is sometimes the best approach. 🙂 I’m so glad it wasn’t as frustrating as most of our boat projects of the past. Big sigh about Maya, for sure!
August 6, 2019 at 07:51
It is crazy how fast expenses can add up. I don’t think I’ve ever read an expense report for you that was this high. But you saved so much money doing your own brakes! Very impressive!
Aside from Maya’s escape scare, I hope you, Mark, and Maya are having a great summer catching up with family and friends!
August 6, 2019 at 15:17
I guess you missed our May expense report then (which had the $1000 insurance expense). 🙂 Yes, expenses do add up, especially the camper (and dog) ones as you know from experience. Luckily, our grocery expense was down in July, a benefit of living with the in-laws.
My summer has been funky, Duwan, because I have a lot on my plate, always, and feel rushed and committed every time we are “settled” in a house, due to the conveniences that will disappear soon enough. I wish I could enjoy the company of friends and family a bit more and not be overwhelmed with all the work and tasks I need to accomplish. Because… that never ends. In my mental situation right now, I really ought to live in a house for a few years to accomplish all my -seemingly unending – projects. We’re hitting the road again on Saturday! Better get more queries sent off, catch up on blog posts, research my parents’ trip, shop, and pack the camper by then!
August 7, 2019 at 09:45
I love your stories. See you next time. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
August 7, 2019 at 12:14
Hi Anna! I’m late today to get my IWSG post up… but, see you next time!
August 7, 2019 at 14:47
Hooray for YouTube, and hooray for you for tackling your brake job! Hubby and I are both gearheads so we do all that sort of work ourselves, too. And we love YouTube for DIY instructions on new projects, too. We’d rather buy the tools for half the price of having somebody else do the work, and then we’re set to make our own repairs for as long as the tools last. (The only exception is our septic system cleanout. THAT, we’ll happily pay somebody else to do!) 😉
August 9, 2019 at 05:43
Yes about buying the tools. That’s Mark’s perspective as well – it’s cheaper and he trusts himself more than mechanics, plus if there’s a mistake, he can only blame himself. We started doing all this mechanical and electrical and any work really on our sailboat twelve years ago. It taught us many lessons. The difference between you and us right now is that we don’t have room for the tools we buy, so we either sell them again or give them away. 🙂 Maybe we should swap them for zucchini?
August 9, 2019 at 23:47
We would LOVE that deal! Too bad you’re on the opposite coast of the continent. 🙂
August 8, 2019 at 17:16
Your ingenuity at replacing the brakes yourselves is very inspiring. YouTube and Google are beautiful things. i was interested that Maya’s medication is cheaper coming from Canada or Australia. We have been hearing a lot about Americans coming to Canada to buy insulin as it is apparently about 1/10th of the cost.
August 9, 2019 at 06:07
Wow, that’s a big price difference for that particular medication. We’ve heard as well that drugs (and medical care) is cheaper in Mexico and Canada. Many US citizens who live close to the Mexican border go there for dental care, for example, as most dentists there have gotten their degree in the US as well. Our own drugs, we still buy in the US (or Belgium), since we have health insurance. Maya doesn’t, so we have to find alternatives.
August 12, 2019 at 18:26
Well I’ll say that’s pretty darn good. With all you’ve been through I’d have thought that alcohol amount may have been higher. LOL 🙂 x
August 13, 2019 at 13:35
Haha! I love your alcohol remark. 🙂 Mark and I usually only drink during the weekends and sometimes, when we feel happy, during the week. And, when we spend time with friends, which has happened a bit the last few weekends. At the moment, we are less in the mood for a drink. The desire comes and goes.