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 and extensive care, we return to the US East Coast. Other health issues are resolved locally and out of pocket where needed and possible.
Mark, Maya, and I spent the first eleven days of June with our truck camper Thirsty Bella in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On that last evening, Julian, the owner of our storage spot, brought us to Ezeiza International Airport and we flew – via JFK – to Boston, Massachusetts, for the rest of the month and into July.
(As always, hover over or click on photos in galleries to read their captions.)
For once, the car category wasn’t the highest one. Maya received that honor. Before leaving Argentina, we needed a health certificate and export paperwork for her (about $40 in total). On our first day in the US, we had an appointment with a vet to administer another rabies shot (the three-year version as that would make things easier for returns to the US) for $45. In South America, we paid between $4 and $7 for this!
We also obtained an international health certificate for Belgium that day, which cost $220 and was valid for one month. This document had to be endorsed and validated by the USDA within 10 days of our departure date and a hard copy with seals had to be mailed back to us (overnight) for another $80 (July expense). We picked it up before leaving the country and made another appointment for September to repeat this process for Argentina. In addition, we bought a bag of salmon-based dog food. I mentioned that Maya would be pricy this summer!
Mark ordered a spare propane regulator for the camper, as well as an improved DC-DC battery charger. The regulator will save us in South America (where it is not available) if the old one dies. Without this, we can’t use our propane tank. The new charger will allow us to put a higher amount of power into our Lithium battery when we run the car, which helps on weeks of little or weak sunshine.
We needed improvements on the computer front as well and ordered two external keyboards and a bigger hard drive for our Surface laptops, a new tablet for the car (which we use for navigation and music), and a router for our home base in Massachusetts.
Testing the new tablet for our truck in Argentina
Our grocery bill was higher than it should have been, based on us finishing all the food in Bella’s fridge and cabinets and Mark’s mom sponsoring most of our shopping trips to Market Basket. We contributed to a family party and bought some goodies once in the US.
Family party – We provided the cheese and salami platter as an appetizer.
Gifts are usually in order whenever we return to our home countries. This time, I bought a few presents for my niece and nephew in Belgium (still to be delivered) and a wooden sign for a friend, we celebrated that friend’s birthday, and we treated one of Mark’s nieces and her husband to a delayed wedding dinner at a Thai restaurant.
Those friends splurged us on a weekend visit, that same niece organized a family party for us, and one of Mark’s nephews took Mark and me out to dinner.
The car category consisted of fuel purchases in Argentina (we left Thirsty with a full tank so condensation – and therefore water – can’t build up) and Massachusetts, where we were fortunate to have the use of my mother-in-law’s car. Parking had to be paid at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and Puerto Madero in Buenos Aires. We reimbursed Julian for the tolls to the airport.
We used the car from Mark’s mom to get around Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Our annual Chase credit card fee was due ($95), we spent around $50 on alcohol (beer and rum) during our stay and visits in the US, and we managed to order two dinners in Buenos Aires for $35 in total: a pizza and sushi. Both were delivered to our doorstep in one of Palermo’s parks, where we slept.
An Uber brought us and our Dutch friends to San Telmo in Argentina’s capital one day and another one brought us back. We paid Julian the equivalent of $20 for bringing us to the airport, half an hour away.
Moving on to Health & Fitness. I inquired at two hair dressers in Palermo, BA, how much it would cost to get a haircut, since I was convinced it would be cheaper than in our western countries and I wanted to start the summer with a short hairdo. Mission accomplished for $11. The other $13 went to electric toothbrush heads on Amazon.
Our $9 laundry expense was manageable in June and I visited La Recoleta cemetery for another $7, while Mark and Maya waited outside. It was pricey, but I don’t want to miss out on too many things anymore while on this South American journey. The Museum of Fine Art was free.
Household goods we purchased when prepping our camper to be left for multiple months were bleach to attack mold on our walls due to all the condensation and cold weather, and anti-moisture products to keep this issue at bay during our absence.
Apart from one night at Julian’s place for $7, our camping in June was free. We boondocked in the Palermo district of Buenos Aires. Once in Massachusetts, we stayed in the guest room of my mother-in-law’s condo.
Being Amazon Vine members allows us to order a selection of items for free in return for product reviews. Since we have to be in the US to partake, we took advantage of that by ordering as much as we needed this way, which saved us hundreds of dollars.
Mark paused our Starlink satellite internet connection for three months, so that’s less money spent. And, we still have a donation from long-time supporter Marian to use this summer. Speaking of summer, we sure feel like cheating by taking a plane from a chilly winter in the Southern Hemisphere to a hot and humid summer in the US! 😊
While June wasn’t a cheap month, the damage was manageable, knowing how much “stuff” we needed for our return to the camper.
On a side note, Mark and I had a little issue with some crisp US dollar bills we had hidden under the toilet, when our pee container overflew, because the sensor got stuck. The Ziploc bag that held the cash, leaked. We had to rinse each bill and hang it to dry! I guess we need a different hiding spot…
(It might be easier to read the table when turning your device in the horizontal position.)
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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July 16, 2024 at 10:21
Wow, you guys seldom press Pause on your travels. I’m happy to see joyous family reunions. By the way, I like your new haircut, Liesbet!
July 17, 2024 at 03:36
Hello Marian!
Thanks for the compliment about my haircut. Short is easy!
It was quite ironic. When we left Argentina, all we wanted was some peace and comfort. But, once in MA the pace was upped even more as we tried to cram “everything” within three weeks, including a few (unsolved) obstacles.
Now that we are in Belgium, we finally feel we have time. It’s still busy, because that’s who we are (and we still work), but so far, it’s been manageable. 🙂
July 16, 2024 at 12:02
You always have the most unexpected mishaps. The money hanging reminds of the old days when my mom used to hang out the laundry to dry.
“What are you doing, honey?”
“Oh, just doing a load of money.”
For what it’s worth, no thief would ever think of looking under the toilet.
July 17, 2024 at 03:40
Hello Pete,
You are so right. Often in our life dealings, we mumble “You can’t make this stuff up!” 🙂
I love the “doing a load of money” comment, haha. You know, quite a few people (with yards) in Belgium still hang their laundry outside to dry. I grew up that way, too. And, in Latin America, dryers are rare. Even at laundromats, when we drop off our clothes as is custom there, I’ve had to wait for my laundry to air dry.
And that was the reason why we hid the money under the toilet… Now, we need a different spot, since a potential thief might read this blog! 🙂
July 16, 2024 at 15:19
Sorry about the cash!
Wow, is it expensive to get a dog ready for travels.
I know you enjoy traveling but I be it felt good to be back in the States.
July 17, 2024 at 03:43
Hello Alex,
Yes, we enjoyed the comfort and convenience the US brought, but it is always so extremely busy for us there. Because we only visit once a year or every other year, there is a lot of “business” to take care of, as well as help for my mother-in-law, ordering and testing parts for the camper, visiting many doctors and specialists, seeing friends and family, and getting our jobs done. Crazy, really. Too much is crammed into not enough time, which causes stress and rushed weeks.
July 16, 2024 at 16:04
I’ve seen people piss their money away, but that’s taking it a bit, far, don’t you think? Nothing that some money laundering won’t fix, though. Haha! I crack myself up…
Anyway, an unusual moth for expenses but I’m glad you are taking the time to visit friends and family.
July 17, 2024 at 03:46
Very funny, Janis! I’m glad you had a good snicker out of our money misfortune. You know, when I discovered that drenched Ziploc bag, I initially thought the money was wasted. Gone. So, when it appeared that we could “wash” it, I felt a big sense of relief, but Mark was quite pissed!
We are enjoying our visits “home,” especially here in Belgium. 🙂
July 17, 2024 at 13:52
Okay, two more… It looks like you’re flush with cash… or maybe it’s craptocurrency.
July 19, 2024 at 04:46
Haha, you are too funny. You and author and Roaming About commenter Diane Henders would hit it off! 🙂 Her blog posts and humor cracks me up.
https://blog.dianehenders.com/
https://blog.dianehenders.com/blog/
July 16, 2024 at 16:38
Definitely higher than your norm, but I’m sure all the extra expenses are worth it. I’m glad to hear you’re finally enjoying some warm weather after all your shivering! 🙂
I was going to make some jokes about your bathroom misfortune with the money, but I see @Janis has already got that covered. Thanks for the chuckles!
July 17, 2024 at 03:49
Hello Diane,
Flying to our home countries (or anywhere, really) is expensive. But, because the US is where we order parts and other essentials, the months leading up to a visit there (and our time on location) become even more expensive. If only we could live on a remote island with just the basics… That would make life really cheap. 🙂
I’m glad the roles are finally reversed and MY blog gave YOU the chuckles! And, I would have expected nothing less from you than letting that humor that Janis expressed loose.
July 16, 2024 at 23:19
Hi, Liesbet – Washing out your money and hanging it to dry definitely made me smile. But that was a clever hiding spot.
BTW – You and Mark are absolutely amazing dog guardians. Maya is a lucky dog indeed! <3
July 17, 2024 at 03:54
Hello Donna,
I’m glad the last part of my post put a smile on your face. We come across the strangest situations. But, I guess we often instigate them. We believe that was the perfect hiding place and could have never expected this outcome as things are pretty sealed in that toilet contraption. If everything works!
That Maya of ours has a pretty incredible life, indeed! She is never alone (she uses her separation anxiety for that), gets healthy food, lots of walks, and constant love, and her life is never dull with new smells and trails every day. But, if you ask her, she’d probably tell you she’s not getting enough food and hates to be told not to eat everything on her path.
July 17, 2024 at 10:28
What a change you are going through right now, between South America and your new travels. I can’t wait to hear how you adjust to that.
July 19, 2024 at 04:43
Hi Jacqui,
When we first arrived in MA, I felt culture shock and couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the cleanliness and modernity of my surroundings and the comfort, richness, and “entitlement” of people around me. Then, I got used to the way of modern, western life, as always, and I enjoyed the atmosphere, convenience, and comfort myself. It’s a nice change from life on the road, but I know it won’t be forever, so I’m soaking it up. 🙂
July 21, 2024 at 18:27
An expensive month for you but still really low compared to most people’s expenses. I hope you find some usable Vine Stuff. And I hope you are enjoying your break from traveling in SA.
July 23, 2024 at 10:36
Hi Duwan!
Is Medellin still treating you well?? You must be getting ready to head south?
Yes, we have been able to find a bunch of usable things on Vine, but it’s been a mixed bag. We always have to order multiple versions of one item to find the right fit and the right quality. Or, close to it!
After two weeks in Belgium (I can’t believe it’s already been two weeks), we are finding a decent work-exercise-leisure-visiting schedule. We are so happy to have all this time. Normally, we’d already been wrapping up and leaving! It’s pretty awesome to live in a tiny house and in comfort and luxury for two months. 🙂
July 28, 2024 at 07:40
*Groan* – you know me – I’d rather the cold than be hot and humid. The guest room you’re staying in looks amazing and comfortable, as does Maya’s bed. I’m so pleased she enjoyed it.
As for a good place to hide money, yes, I’d never have thought to look under the toilet! I won’t tell you where I hide the cash, but let’s say it’s safe where it is for much of the year.
August 6, 2024 at 04:33
Hi Hugh,
The guest room we stayed at in Massachusetts suffices. There’s no dedicated space for our clothes and belongings and we have to share a bathroom with family members, but we were happy with the space. We will stay there one more week on our return voyage to Argentina in September. It should be nice weather then.
Maya’s bed was so comfortable that we bought an identical one and took it to Belgium with us. She loves it and looks extremely cute and at ease when using it – which is a lot. We will leave it here. It filled one of our carry-on backpacks, which is now ready to be filled with chocolate for our return. 🙂
Aha, you have a money hiding spot as well! I’m sure it’s not near the toilet, though.