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.
The entire month of May, Mark, Maya, and I lived in our “room above the garage” in Newburyport, Massachusetts. We helped out my in-laws, worked, and researched pick-up trucks. It’s been a huge battle finding the right set-up for our next adventure in this post-pandemic, elusive, and inflated Super Duty truck market. One day, I hope to share our experiences about that in a blog post. So far, unfortunately, there is no end in sight.
May 2021 was another expensive month for us, mainly because we bought two plane tickets to Belgium, for the end of June. That being said, we have no conclusion yet if Mark gets to go, based on European travel restrictions being lifted. What’s a bit more stress… I should be okay with my Belgian passport. Fingers crossed! As prices for flights keep rising, we didn’t want to risk waiting too long to book the tickets. They are exchangeable for vouchers in case we/he can’t go, something we confirmed before paying money. If all goes well, our friends Duwan and Greg will watch Maya for two weeks.
Our grocery expenses are still high. We blame it on New England being more expensive than the American Southwest, let alone Mexico. We are careful, but each time we pass a Trader Joe’s (which isn’t often), we have to buy a few of our favorite specialties. And, when we visit friends, we can’t show up empty-handed of course. Or maybe the number remains high because we are eating too much?
We are fortunate to have the use of Mark’s parents’ car to run errands and look at (rusty) pick-up trucks and truck campers in the area. “The area” stretches throughout Massachusetts, to Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Most of our fuel goes to these widespread, time consuming pursuits. We are drinking alcohol again after a multiple-month hiatus. We also shipped a spare part we kept for Zesty to a friend in Arizona, now that we sold our camper van, and tentatively paid for a camper insurance policy (more about that later, if it sticks).
Visiting family in Connecticut on a detour from a truck “inspection”
The only other “high” expense was for a vet visit, in nearby Salisbury. Mark and I took Maya to another vet, in Newburyport, a couple of years ago and weren’t too happy with the inflated prices. So, we tried a different one for a check-up and small procedure, figuring it couldn’t be any worse. The vet and staff were friendly and professional; the doctor said everything was fine. Maya was healthy, the liquid that needed to be expressed was surprisingly clear, and there were no infections.
As we were ready to leave his office and pay our bill, he asked his assistant to grab a container of probiotics and another with antibiotics. Mark and I were confused. “Does she have an infection, or not?” my husband asked. “Yes,” the vet answered. What do you do when a doctor recommends medication, but you don’t quite believe your pet needs it?
We moved to the check-in counter to pay, as the nurse approached with the container of probiotics. “How much does that cost?” Mark inquired. “85 dollars.” What? We declined. We’d feed her a couple of spoons of yogurt each day, if needed, or look for probiotics online. Could we decline the antibiotics as well? This was a toughie. We let that one go ($40 for a generic brand) and for the next two weeks, we fed our dog drugs we didn’t think she needed.
Again, we were disgusted by how vet clinics upsell their products and try to make money. It’s all about money, especially in this part of the world, we once again concluded. Capitalism. It’s been confronting us every step of the way this year. We’ll look for yet another vet next time.
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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June 9, 2021 at 18:24
That is a difficult position for the vet to put you, Mark and Maya in. Hopefully, your next vet is the perfect vet! Great report!
June 11, 2021 at 16:45
Hi Donna! It’s been really hard for us to stay on budget this year, but more about that next month. It would be nice to have a vet here to rely on, but we’re usually elsewhere anyway, so we will save Maya’s shots and other check-ups to be done in other places of the country/world.
June 9, 2021 at 19:17
I hope you can get a recommendation for a better vet next time. I’d like to believe that they aren’t all after whatever they can make by upselling their customers.
June 11, 2021 at 16:49
Hi Janis! I’m sure there are vets out there who really care about their furry patients besides the money. It’s all about finding him/her. Just like with so many other businesses we deal with. There are people who are just in it for the money and/or who don’t care about the customer and are frustrating to deal with. And, there are ones who actually care about their customers. I’m sure we all have plenty of examples, hopefully for both kinds. 🙂
June 9, 2021 at 20:32
I do hope Mark’s gets to go to Belgium. We are looking forward to hanging out with Maya for a couple of weeks and seeing you when you return.
I hate that about the vet. Hope you can find s better one next time.
You deserve some Trader Joe’s treats every once in a while.
Your friends look like a fun bunch!
June 11, 2021 at 16:52
Like often, it’s the friends around us who make us smile these months. 🙂 Oh, and Maya as well. I guess we’re just having a bad year so far. But, then again, 2020 was okay for us and not for others. We are still hoping that (and counting on) Mark being able to go to Belgium. It would change my trip too, depending on his presence or not. I just talked to my parents and I’m not making any plans until I’m sure he can fly or until I’m actually there. We will see how it goes…
June 9, 2021 at 23:29
I dread going to the vet because we constantly have to navigate the world of what is a necessity vs what is a luxury. Our dogs get the best of everything, but that doesn’t mean we are going to spend on every test the vet suggests might be worthwhile. I also remember we spent something like $3,000 on a surgery and the cancer came back within a few months. Less than a year later we were putting our beloved dog down. I don’t blame the vet, but that was pretty brutal.
June 11, 2021 at 17:00
You are phrasing the challenges of vet visits really well, Pete. Of course, we want the best for our pets and I sometimes feel vets “use” that against us when suggesting tests and such. Pet health care is so much more expensive than human health care – for insured people anyway.
Cancer sucks, as you know. The issue with dogs is that by the time they discover bad cells, it’s basically too late and the cancer has spread. We have experienced that with Darwin as well and spent thousands of dollars on tests before having to put him down. The problem is that dogs’ metabolism (not sure this is how it’s called but you’ll get my drift) acts seven times faster, which is why the saying is that dogs’ ages have to be multiplied by seven to be comparable with humans.
I’m so sorry to read this about your pup. It’s so awful. It makes me think about a friend’s dog who had to have surgery and our friend put a Kickstarter campaign together that collected around $15K and saved the dog. After having recovered, the dog ran under a car and died. A pet sitter hadn’t closed the gate to the yard properly. Heartbreaking!
June 10, 2021 at 03:41
It is unbelievable how commercialisation has infiltrated the health care system…for animals and also for people. It is difficult to trust a vet that tells you your dog is healthy, but then wants to sell you expensive antibiotics and probiotics.
I do hope Mark can fly with you to Belgium, international travelling has become a minefield. We are staying at home for the summer, but we hope to be able to travel again in September.
June 11, 2021 at 17:04
It was a tricky situation at the vet’s, Gilda. Afterwards, Mark and I decided that if something like this would happen again, we’d ask for a prescription from the vet and then buy the drugs online, which we have done before and which is much cheaper. We were just a bit shocked at the time about what was going on and felt like we needed to act quickly and pay our bill…
Good idea about staying at home this summer and enjoying the sunshine in your area. It will be much easier to take Big Bill to the continent in the fall and fewer crowds. It is still tricky to figure out what is needed to “fly across the pond.” I hope the guidelines will bring clarity in a couple of weeks…
June 10, 2021 at 05:54
Our family dog when I grew up lived to be 17 years old. She was at the vets twice in her life, once to get “fixed” and once when she was hit by a car.
June 11, 2021 at 17:07
Wow, 17 is an awesome age for a dog. That is fantastic to have her in your life for that long. We kept thinking and hoping that our two Australian Shepherd mixes, Kali and Darwin, would live until they were sixteen, but cancer robbed them of their lives before ten!
Two vet visits, that’s pretty good. Our dogs have to get their rabies shot every year or every three years, depending on the vaccine. Also, the more we travel(ed) with our pets, the more vet visits were required. 🙂
June 10, 2021 at 11:30
You do have so much going on, even though you are settled in one spot for a while. Vets–don’t even get me started! Our dog Casey has to take a Galliprant (his osteo is so bad, he has trouble walking). That stuff is $4 a pill! $3 if we can find it. Oh well. They’re worth it, right?
June 11, 2021 at 17:10
Hi Jacqui! Wow! $4 a pill? That is crazy. Especially if he needs one every day. We thought Apoquel (the magic drug that keeps Maya from being itchy) was expensive at $2 a pill; $1.75 if we can buy it online. Some vets are okay giving you the prescription, or calling it in, so you can order the drugs online which is much better for the wallet. And, yes, they are so worth it!! 🙂
June 10, 2021 at 15:21
If you spent $1,175 for two plane tickets to Belgium, I’d say that’s awesome. Even domestic travel is more expensive. Your European family will be thrilled to see you, that’s for sure! 🙂
June 11, 2021 at 17:12
I agree, Marian, $600 for a return ticket to Belgium is not bad. It’s somewhere in the middle of what I have been paying over the years. Mind you, this is without any checked luggage or seat reservation. These days, airline companies charge for EVERYTHING separately. Being frugal as we are, we do try to find the cheapest ways… I’ll have to do laundry every week in Belgium. 🙂
June 10, 2021 at 18:06
Your adventures never end, Liesbet! Good to read you plan to travel to Belgium soon. Sorry about the truck problems, my BIL had the same experience but now he is no hurry! The Ford dealer in Sacramento where Hans bought his 2018 Ford F150 keeps begging him to sell it back. Hard pass…it was customized with a camper and rack! Heavy sigh about the vet bills. More than once I’ve had sticker shock over bills and especially estimates for Aero’s teeth cleaning. I spend about $20 a month now for Aero’s galliprant, and just restarted both dogs on Bravecto. Thanks for reminding me I need to renew their prescription with our new vet (a really good one BTW). Maya is worth it and you just have to find a better vet. We’ve used NextDoor app in our area for recommendations. Good luck!
June 11, 2021 at 17:20
Hi Terri!
You are right that our adventures never end. Although, if I’m honest, I’m not enjoying the current “adventure” of being stuck and not finding a truck very much. One day, our experience might make up an intriguing chapter in a book, but living through it is all but fun!
That’s crazy that dealers are contacting truck owners to buy cars back. But, I’ve heard it before and that is the point I’m trying to make right now. The market is insane. People are selling their trucks for more money than they bought them for years ago, new. Dealers call private parties who have their trucks for sale on Craig’s List and Facebook and offer them more money than asking price. We can’t compete with that. And, there are barely any decent trucks left, nationally, right now.
It’s truly insane and we do not belong in this inflated market, so we are in a catch 22 if we really need and want that pick-up truck for our next trip. We are a bit at a loss right now, after another attempt has gone haywire. This last one involved Mark traveling for four days and spending $800. Ouch!!
Nice you found a good vet in your new area. We’ve always cleaned the teeth of our dogs, but this might depend on their demeanor… I’m sure some dogs hate it, just like taking baths. 🙂 Thanks for the tip about the NextDoor app.
June 11, 2021 at 08:19
Hi Liesbet, I hope your travel plan to Belgium goes smoothly, and you find a better vet next time.
June 11, 2021 at 17:20
Thanks, Natalie. We could use a bit of good fortune right now. Happy weekend!!
June 11, 2021 at 11:04
The vet situation sounds ridiculous. I would have to think it borders on scamming. I hope you find a vet you can trust and is straightforward with what is best for Maya. Hoping all goes well with your travel to Belgium.
June 11, 2021 at 17:23
When it comes to healthcare, we are always a bit careful with discarding suggestions – from vets or doctors. Why would we not take them seriously? It’s a strange world we live in, Sue, and every day we come across positive experiences and negative experiences relating to our fellow humans… Thanks for the Belgium wishes. I haven’t been back in three years, a personal record!
June 11, 2021 at 17:33
We are facing vet problems here in AZ, too. First, you can’t get in until September. Then, they don’t take dogs over 12 to get their teeth cleaned. Dogs under 12 are super expensive. Our neighbor’s dog just had his teeth cleaned, and some pulled. The original bill was $2,000. They talked the vet down to $1,000. The vet charges by tooth! So if they pull 3 teeth, it’s one price, and if they pull a canine tooth, it’s way more. Our vet in CA agreed to see Puppy Girl and the price in February would be $525. If I take her in Sept. it’s $600. The problem is that I have to drive 9 hours one way to get there over the Tehachapi Mountains. That’s fine in September, but not such a great risk in February. Vince doesn’t want me to take her, so I think PG is not going for any more dental appointments after all.
I hope you are doing well with Plunge. It’s interesting to hear about your after life on solid ground. Your expenses sound pretty high without having to pay any rent. WOW!
We just found out that Vince’s sister is having such a hard time spending her $230 a month that she gets from the state for food, so she bought $189 worth of food for the food bank. She makes $596 per month and pays for auto insurance and $500 a month to us. We are paying for the rest of her housing expenses, phone, TV, electricity and gas for the house. Last week she had to go to the dentist and get her oil changed – that was $300, and she talked the car dealer down $20. Her brothers split that cost. I don’t know what people do who don’t have outside resources. Then the car dealer told her she needs $800 for fluids in her car. It may have to go thirsty at least for a while.
It’s interesting to read how different people budget their money. I know this comment was way TMI, but I find budgets extremely interesting. 🙂 Have a great weekend, Liesbet. 🙂
June 14, 2021 at 13:58
Hi Marsha!
Those vet prices are insane! And when did all those rules pop up? I hate that healthcare/pharmaceutics in this country – for humans and for dogs – is seen as “business” more than as “care.”
Yes, our expenses for May were high, because we bought two international plane tickets for $1,200. Take that off our total, and we are back to about $1,000 a month for two adults and a big dog. Not bad. 🙂
Life in a sticks and bricks home is expensive. It’s one of the reasons why we prefer living on the road – no costs for utilities, house maintenance, and house repairs. We all have to take care of our health, though. And, our campers, of course, have to be maintained as well.
Thanks for sharing your experiences with the vet and your sister-in-law’s expenses. It is interesting to read how people get by with their money (or not) everywhere.
June 11, 2021 at 23:21
Oh, wow, Belgium the end of June! Like you describe, Liesbet, you have to risk it at this point, especially if the tickets are exchangeable for vouchers. I should visit Duran and Greg’s site. You have mentioned them often. Interesting about the antibiotics. Your monthly reports remind me how you still have to live your life in the “now” and not postpone all of your treats. Fingers crossed on Belgium. 😀
June 14, 2021 at 14:01
Hi Erica! I haven’t given my visit to Belgium much thought as a lot has been going on in our households here the last few weeks, if not months. Sigh. I can’t believe I’ll be on my way, in the air, in less than ten days. I haven’t flown in three years either. Maybe I should start looking into what I need to take and how big my carry-on bag can be. 🙂 Yep, let’s hope all goes smoothly, for me, for Mark, and for Maya. By the way, Mark just checked the price of the same plane ticket we bought, now: it’s twice as much a piece; $1,200!
June 13, 2021 at 00:24
Those plane tickets sure bulk up the costs, don’t they? But it seems as though you got a good deal on the flights – here’s hoping your trip works out!
June 14, 2021 at 14:07
Hi Diane! We used to use points for our flights, but during the pandemic we were allowed to use our points for food and gas at 1.5X the amount of their value, so we took advantage of that. This made 2020 one of our cheapest years ever. But, now we have to actually buy our plane tickets again. $1,200 for two cross-Atlantic flights wasn’t too bad, especially since the prices (for the same flights) have doubled by now. I’m glad we bought the tickets when we did, or we wouldn’t even consider a trip to Belgium right now!
June 13, 2021 at 23:33
best wishes shopping for the next vehicle you will use – and also enjoyed the update post here 🙂
June 14, 2021 at 14:08
Thanks, Yvette. Three months into the search for our new “home on wheels” and still no success. We are desperately hoping that we won’t be stuck here until the winter!!!
June 13, 2021 at 23:36
also, it disgusts me how much the Vets can uncharge or add on things –
when you get a chance – check out the Terrier Man’s Daily Dose blog – he has a lot of tips for taking care of dogs without the high prices of Vet’s overpriced items.
June 13, 2021 at 23:37
here is the link https://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com
June 14, 2021 at 14:17
I love the site! Especially one of his latest blog’s, Canine Q-Anon. My husband and I were just talking about how disgusting the Westminster dog show is… Thanks for the recommendation, Yvette!
June 14, 2021 at 14:09
Sounds interesting, Yvette! Thanks for the tip and the blog link. I will open the Terrier Man’s Daily Dose blog in my browser and check it out whenever I have a spare moment. 🙂
June 14, 2021 at 23:18
We are all starting to feel the costs go up everywhere. If you think trucks are bad, check out lumber. You won’t want to be building a deck anytime soon lol. Lumber is up 2 1/2 times the price pre pandemic. And looks like you got a good deal on the plane tickets! I booked my Mexico ticket last month. I grabbed on quick before there’s no spots and the prices rise. Oh, and I too loved Trader Joe’s. Many favs there. 🙂 <3
June 15, 2021 at 14:41
The aftermath of Covid has been insane in unsuspecting ways (as well as suspecting ways). Our issue is that we need a pick-up truck in order to continue our lifestyle. Being stuck is becoming highly frustrating, but not only are the prices insanely high, there is nothing left!!!
I hear you about the lumber prices. My in-law’s condo association (four units) is trying to figure out how to replace all the decks and railings. It’s crazy expensive and every family here is balking at the high quotes (US$130K – US$220K!!!)…
I’m excited for you about Mexico, Debby! We just saw new info regarding the EU, however, and it seems like they are making the terms stricter instead of loosening them. As of now, Mark is still not allowed to go, because the US is considered a red zone. And, I, fully vaccinated and a Belgian citizen might have to quarantine in Belgium, even with a negative Covid test upon arrival. I have no idea what is going on there right now!!! It’s all very confusing and complicated.
June 16, 2021 at 09:41
Oye! Ya, traveling is a mess, depending on what country your going and coming from. Here, our numbers are the best in months and we only opened stage 1 last Friday – outdoor dining, stores reopening at 15% capacity. Still no haircuts (mine since November!). My BFF is trying to come here from UK. They are back on tighter restrictions, but she travels with her Canadian passport and has been double vaxxed. I’m hoping soon our province lifts the quarantine rule from airport. It’s ridiculous. How many people go on vacation for lengthy time that they can spare 14 days in lockdown at a hotel at THEIR expense! It’s madness! On another note, oye, what bad timing to sell Zesty. 🙁 Keep the faith girl! I hope you are keeping an eye out for private sales. 🙂 xx
June 17, 2021 at 10:42
Hi Debby!
It is my understanding that nationals (travelers with the passport of the country they are flying to) are always allowed in. Whether a quarantine has to be observed, that seems to be the question. I sure hope your BFF can visit with no issues! She seems to be in the same shoes as me going to Belgium. The EU is supposed to lift more international restrictions on Friday – tomorrow! We will see what happens.
Yes, we prefer a private sale, but anyone who tries to sell their truck right now is asking ridiculous prices. Dealers, eager to get more cars on their lots since the manufacturers have stopped producing new trucks, are now competing with private buyers and offering top dollar. It’s truly insane. Similar to the real estate market, where buyers offer more than asking price. For a car… that devaluates from the moment it leaves the lot!!!
We had no idea about this trend when we sold Zesty. It was time for us to move on, but on hindsight we probably should have kept our van (our home) six months longer… Even though it would just be sitting here doing nothing over the summer anyway.
June 17, 2021 at 21:11
Hindsight is 20/20 my friend. Who knew the world continues to go mad with greed. And yes, the news changes daily on restrictions and vaccinations. Don’t get me started! I’ve had both mine, and both Astra Z. There has been so much controversy about that vaccine here – stopped, started, age group allowance changes. Then they say you should stick to same vaccine, today they say Astra people should mix with Pfizer. Lol, after we’ve got our 2nd a month ago. It’s a nightmare. The right hands don’t know what the lefts are doing! 🙂 Most of Europe got Astra Z, so here I am. 🙂 Hang tight! <3
June 19, 2021 at 11:52
We have seriously realized that greed and money rule in this country, Debby. It is just another indication that we are ready to leave the US. Sorry to read about your Astra Z troubles. I remember you really wanted those shots and begging got it done, but I do hope all is good on that front. Most of my family and friends in Belgium are getting the Pfizer shots. A good friend just received the Johnson & Johnson single shot. I guess it’s a mixed bag. I just hope Belgium will let us both in this month!!
June 20, 2021 at 10:13
I’m with you. It may be time to move to a private island, lol. I do hope you guys get to both go. I’m crossing my fingers my bestie finds a way to get here from UK. Same shyte different country lol. Keep us posted! 🙂 xx
June 20, 2021 at 13:21
I’ll let you know whenever we buy that private island. You are invited! 🙂
June 17, 2021 at 02:14
You sold Zesty?! Wow, I’m clearly way behind.
The pictures of large groups really drive home how different it is in the US compared to here. That still would not fly here at all.
Fingers crossed you both get to Belgium. Safe travels!
June 17, 2021 at 10:44
Hi JH! Yes, we sold Zesty mid-March and did the handover in Tucson, Arizona, early April, not knowing or expecting how the truck market would change within weeks. We are ready to change gears, but have been unable to do so in three months! So, feeling pretty stuck right now. Everyone in our circle of friends and family has been fully vaccinated by now. In Belgium, they are a bit behind. Just like in Canada, it seems. Fingers crossed that changes soon for you too! 🙂
July 4, 2021 at 01:05
We lucked into a fantastic vet when we moved here. He’s very caring, and he never tries to upsell us expensive procedures and products. His staff is also super nice. I’ve gotten to know them all quite well, now that our cat Oliver has diabetes. For quite awhile, I was taking him for weekly visits until we got his insulin levels right.
Jude
July 14, 2021 at 11:57
I’m so glad your vet worked out well, Jude. Hopefully, we will find a better one in Newburyport when the need arrives again. Or, we will find decent ones around the country and continents. 🙂