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 the two of us. 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. Since June 2019 – we adopted Maya on June 4th – we have a dog section as well. 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.
For the month of November, Mark, Maya, and I lived and traveled in our camper van, Zesty. The first week, we drove and explored from Connecticut to Kentucky and since then, we have been stationed at a campground in Campbellsville, KY. Mark’s current employer, Amazon, pays for our site and we are here until Christmas, to work. More about that later. By the way, this is the first time EVER that we are parked in an RV park with full-hookups and a building with hot showers and laundry!
Last month was different from other months in many ways, since we never camp in the same spot longer than a few days. This means less money spent on fuel (although we did have to get here) and more money spent on laundry as we can’t rely on the generosity of friends and family anymore to use their machines. We use the van once a week to grocery shop and take Maya on a hike. No more camper projects are lined up. Yay!
We had hoped to stay under $1,000 for November (and December), to stick to the same “budget” as last year. We failed. We had additional expenses in the form of my pricey passport application, the need for more prescription drugs for Maya (plus we bought extra dog food at a 60% discount on Black Friday), and a higher than normal grocery bill. We stocked up before arriving in Campbellsville and we splurged on a few favorite Trader Joe items. After extensive comparison of two GPS tracking systems for Maya, we decided to ship one of them back.
On top of all this, it was my birthday. On Thanksgiving. Mark and I never get each other gifts or celebrate anything, except for our birthdays. My three-year old laptop was falling apart “right in time” – I had been able to deal with a non-working mouse pad, its slowness, and a few other inconveniences for over a year, but when the battery didn’t work anymore (which meant I could only use my computer when plugged in – not ideal in a van), I was starting to despair. You see, not only is buying a new computer expensive, but it would also require me getting used to a new machine and a lot of work for Mark, who would need two days to delete everything useless and annoying and install what I needed, plus get it ready for my use. He didn’t have those extra days…
Once again, I was reminded of what an incredible, smart, resourceful, and anticipating husband I have. The day after my issues, an early birthday present showed up: a brand-new laptop! Mark knew what would make me happy before I knew! He managed to “snatch” a $500 computer for $250, and spent his only two evenings off to get the machine ready by my birthday. I love it (them)!
Oh, about that extremely high alcohol number… don’t despair. We have not become alcoholics. We stocked up on beer and wine before arriving at the campground and Mark threw an impromptu birthday party, inviting the friends we made here to enjoy new cases of beer and a decent box of wine. We have enough left for many weeks! The good thing about the last two months of 2019: we finally made/make more money than we spent/d. 🙂
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December 8, 2019 at 23:44
What a thoughtful present. And I’m still amazed by how little you spend each month!
December 9, 2019 at 12:48
It sure was the perfect present! 🙂 We are careful spenders, when it comes to ourselves. I miss splurging once in a while, but the camper and the dog are where our money goes! Important factors. 🙂
December 9, 2019 at 03:30
Happy birthday Liesbet and what a wonderful present from Mark! Enjoy your stay in Kentucky and please give Maya a big pat from us all ???????????? xxx
December 9, 2019 at 12:49
Thanks, Xenia! Not much to enjoy where we are in Kentucky I’m afraid, but it’s a temporary pit stop. Maya is wagging her tail back at all of you!
December 9, 2019 at 20:49
caves, horse ranches, distilleries.
December 12, 2019 at 19:08
YES! Can’t wait to explore the caves and go for a few more country drives. As for the distilleries, we’re not too keen on “pure” bourbon, but friends have graciously shared their bourbon beers and Maker’s Mark Mint Julip. Yum!!
December 9, 2019 at 07:50
Great timing – and the perfect birthday present.
I imagine expenses are a little higher with Maya as well.
December 9, 2019 at 12:50
Yep, Alex. To be honest, our expenses are a LOT higher with Maya, mainly due to her itchy health issues. We hope to figure out the cause for that soon.
December 9, 2019 at 09:33
There’s no better gift for a writer than a new laptop. Happy belated birthday, Liesbet. It looks like a great celebration. Enjoy your time in Kentucky. I have some relatives there. 🙂
December 9, 2019 at 12:52
Thanks, Jill! Where are your relatives located? I really hope we get to see a bit of the state before we leave here, but we barely have downtime to accomplish that. Maybe around Christmas. And I am so happy with my new laptop. I remember you having some serious technology issues earlier this year, so I’m you appreciate the way I feel. 🙂
December 9, 2019 at 17:51
My relatives are in Nicholasville. It’s around 30 miles south of Lexington. Yes! My laptop died a fast and sudden death around this time last year. Enjoy your new toy! 🙂
December 9, 2019 at 18:26
Thanks, Jill. We might have driven through there on our way to Campbellsville from Lexington. And, yes ma’am, I am enjoying my new toy/tool. 🙂
December 9, 2019 at 19:51
I thought you might be, Liesbet. 🙂 You might be having some snow heading your way. Stay warm!
December 12, 2019 at 18:59
Thanks to your kind words and lovely wishes, I already feel warmer, Jill! 🙂
December 9, 2019 at 10:02
Happy birthday!
December 9, 2019 at 12:53
Thank you from all the way over here to all the way over there!
December 9, 2019 at 11:23
How I love that Mark! Reminded me of a not so happy laptop story (Hawaii to Connecticut via French Polynesia) ..but at least it ended well.
December 9, 2019 at 12:55
I think we all have a few crazy and frustrating laptop stories by now. If only we wouldn’t be so dependent on them – and technology in general. Then again, our lives have been made so much easier, despite the occasional headaches they cause. I vaguely remember something about that particular route, but your memory is so much better!
December 9, 2019 at 16:35
And I am wrong about the route – it was Hawaii to Huahine to Tahiti to Massachusetts. How I got CT in there I will never know.
December 9, 2019 at 18:21
Yes, now I remember! I guess CT threw me off. But, Mark’s laptop probably went there as well, since we always visit family in CT on our trips to New England.
December 9, 2019 at 16:49
Mennonites everywhere, including this former one, would applaud your frugality. I’m guessing the joys of having Maya in your family compensate for the additional expense.
(Maybe you should have skipped touring the lunatic asylum – hahahahahaha!)
Hurrah for ending two months in the black!
December 9, 2019 at 18:25
Sometimes I feel like we have a lot in common with Mennonites, Marian. We try to live “back to the basics” and are all about using nature’s resources and not go crazy with technology. But, we couldn’t live without our laptops, camera, and tablets… 🙂 My expense report for next month will include another gadget, by the way. Mark had been on the lookout for it for months and finally bought it at a very affordable price!
Yes, Maya is costing more than we actually anticipated. However, there are two things that we’ve never been frugal about: our pets and our friends.
December 9, 2019 at 18:05
Perfect gift. And not hard to see how your Maya now adds to the monthly, lol 🙂
December 9, 2019 at 18:27
She sure does, doesn’t she? I’ll be curious to analyze our yearly expense report to see how Maya did this year. I have a feeling she’s passed the $1,000 mark already!
December 9, 2019 at 18:37
Hi Liesbet! Still amazing that you can do so much, have so much and get so much accomplished on such little money. You continue to be an inspiration. And enjoy your new laptop! ~Kathy
December 12, 2019 at 18:56
Thank you, Kathy! We are a pretty busy bunch and I wish we would allow ourselves a little more fun and excitement! But, I am enjoying my computer a lot, so that counts for something. 🙂
December 9, 2019 at 19:08
Hi, Liesbet – I echo the other commenters in my deep admiration of how little the two of you spend — while fully enjoying your days. That was an incredibly thoughtful gift from Mark. Happy belated birthday. Wishing you, Mark and Maya a happy and healthy holiday season!
December 12, 2019 at 18:58
Happy holidays to you and Richard as well, Donna! With birthdays and gift season here, it is a bit harder to stay on budget, but we are managing fine. It’s the unexpected expenses that throw us off, which – these days – is a lot of health costs for Maya. Also, we have an address at the moment, so we have to take advantage of buying everything we need online and have it delivered this month, before we hit the road again.
December 9, 2019 at 20:03
What a generous and thoughtful – and talented – husband you have! I think I’ll be in the market for a new computer soon (my desktop is about 8 years old). I wonder if I can time the purchase to coincide with a visit from you and Mark? Since we don’t have children or grandchildren, and we no longer work in the tech world, we are kind of out of luck when we need technical assistance or need to upgrade. Isn’t it about time for you to travel out to the west coast again? 🙂 Enjoy your holiday season (will you still be in Kentucky at Christmas?). Hugs to the three of you!
December 12, 2019 at 19:06
Mark can be pretty awesome, Janis! 🙂 Unfortunately, he’s pretty fed up with all this computers and IT stuff, after doing it for so long. Hence, my hesitance to approach him with any issues, let alone the idea of getting a new laptop. That’s why I was so happy (and surprised) with his initiative to get me a new one and to be willing to invest all his precious spare time.
Wow, your computer is getting up there in age. I’m sure you will (and are) missing those IT specialists from your working days… I’ll let Mark know about your predicament, but I doubt that will get him to rush back to San Diego! That being said, it is about time we travel out west again, after being east for – what – a mere six months. We will see what happens.
No idea where we will be for Christmas. Mark’s job will be done by the 25th (he is NOT extending), but we might linger a few more days in Kentucky, as we haven’t seen or visited anything yet, since he only has one day off a week and is pretty exhausted.
Hugs back from the Zesty crew!
December 10, 2019 at 14:08
We just did laundry today. I don’t think we have paid for laundry since April – the perks of friends, family, and house sitting along the road.
Happy belated birthday! New technology is so nice especially when you find a deal. I am so not looking forward to my next computer replacement. I have a Mac and they are pricey! I’d switch to a PC if I could cheaply replace my Adobe software but I don’t think you can even buy Adobe software anymore- you have to get a subscription.
Anyways, cute pic of you and the desserts.
And PS – I will be sending you some pictures a little later this afternoon.
December 12, 2019 at 19:19
Yeah… that laundry bill adds up quickly. Now that Mark works, I’m doing laundry every week, usually one or two machines, depending on rain and dirty dog towels. 🙂
You must have special Adobe software on your Mac then, because I have Adobe on my PC. It would be nice for you to switch to a PC (maybe it’s still cheaper to do that plus invest in Adobe again, compared to a new Mac), since there are always good deal abound, especially on SlickDeals. This is my second computer in a row that we bought for about $250. But, you just replaced a part of it, so it should last a while. Fingers crossed!
Next month, I will report on Mark’s newest technology deal. It made front page on SlickDeals (and has been viewed over 40,000 times) after he posted it! 🙂
December 10, 2019 at 16:54
Hooray for birthday parties and new computers and loving spouses and dogs that won’t get lost again! Well worth the extra bit in the budget. 🙂
December 12, 2019 at 19:24
You know, the more things you acquire (whether it’s pets or gadgets), the more money you spend and keep spending. What a revelation! But, puppy love and ease of technology are, indeed, worth the extra expense.
December 13, 2019 at 10:07
I am always curious how people live, Liesbet. I greatly admire how you and Mark track expenses. Someone else’s saying ‘you have to name it to claim it.’ In other words, recognize where money is being spent. Reading your posts this past year, I know the both of you are frugal and resourceful. You also remind me of a saying (my daughter’s) “expect the unexpected.” Mark is definitely a keeper. ???? Very thoughtful and loving. A perfect birthday present. Happy belated birthday, Liesbet!
December 13, 2019 at 12:25
I love the saying of your daughter, Erica. “Expect the unexpected”. Yep, that’s really all we need to expect to go through life, right? I used to be a big planner and anticipator (planticipator), but found it led to disappointments often, so I tried to adjust my outlook to having less expectations. I find it a healthier approach and better for my own feelings. Of course, you miss out on the excitement that comes from looking forward to or planning events.
For now, I think I’ll keep that Mark. 🙂
December 13, 2019 at 19:32
A great phrase, Liesbet. “Having less expectations” continues to appear in my radar this past year. Pros and cons on whether to plan or not to plan. A balanced approach may help. Glad you are keeping Mark ????
December 13, 2019 at 20:34
He is, too. 🙂
December 28, 2019 at 13:29
Nice that you were able to throw a party for new acquaintances in Kentucky. You know people all over the continent (and the world) Liesbet, and that must be a nice feeling.
Jude
December 28, 2019 at 20:29
Yes, it is a nice feeling to know people and have friends all over the world – we sure do. It’s great and I do every effort to stay in touch. But… because we are always on the move, I don’t have any friends around – ever – when I might need girl-time or a long, emotional, and helpful conversation, or good old fun! This is always VERY sporadic and short-loved. 🙁