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.
Apart from the first five days, when we were still in Chile, Mark, Maya, and I explored Northern Argentina in March with Thirsty Bella. This year, prices in Argentina have doubled if not tripled for gasoline, entrance fees, restaurants,… Mark and I had really looked forward to visiting this country to splurge a bit more, but inflation and the devaluation of the peso make that less affordable.
March was a very expensive month, but for a good reason. We bit the bullet and bought return plane tickets from Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, to Massachusetts and from there to Belgium. We will store our camper for 3.5 months in South America and look forward to seeing family and friends again. The three of us need a break from the road and developing countries. We hope that the high cost for the tickets ($2,300) allows us to save money in fuel and other expenses this summer. There will be another substantial price to pay for Maya’s multiple international health certificates and check-ups.
The car category ended up in second place due to our extravagant spending on flights. We bought about $360 of fuel, with one super pricey fill-up in Chile to reach the border and a few top-ups in Argentina. It hurts to know that the current price of around $1 a liter used to be 50 cents last year. We can save by not eating out or buying expensive entrance tickets, but we can’t get around our need for fuel. The $127 for repairs went to a tire valve fix and necessary car parts Mark purchased on Amazon. They will wait for us in the US.
Around $270 bought us groceries in March and were careful with other expenses, because so much of our budget went to the airlines. We cooked most of our meals at home, as always.
The eating out category was $80. It would have been higher, but a nice reader of this blog sent us a donation of $25, which we used for dinner and drinks at the Puna Vinyard in Cachi. Despite very hot, it was a super enjoyable experience.
Alcohol – mostly Argentinian wine – added up to $61 last month and we devoured every drop of it! Eating and drinking out might have become expensive in this country, but we just as well enjoy a good bottle of wine with some tapas at home. And we can honestly say that each bottle in the $3-$4 range that we have opened has been good to excellent. Mark and I kept our drinking out to a minimum: $24; all at vineyards. 🙂
Our monthly subscription for unlimited Starlink satellite internet fluctuates with a dollar or so, based on the exchange rate. We bought this system last fall in Peru and half of it is paid by our business, hence the reasonable $36 fee.
I spent $30 on goodies for Mark’s March 1st birthday. This included an array of Belgian beers, which I located in a grocery store in Chile. We had a lovely tapas plate for dinner that day, after a relaxing afternoon in a pretty canyon. Before that, I made him crepes with fresh fruit for breakfast and a goat cheese sandwich for lunch.
Tapas on Mark’s birthday
The entrance fees to parks and hikes added up to $16 for the two of us. I had been interested in a particular museum in Salta, but eventually skipped it as the price had quadrupled from $2 to $8. Maybe another time.
While Maya’s three-year rabies shot from the US is still valid, the countries in South America require dogs to receive those vaccines yearly. We had hoped to get her shot in Uyuni, Bolivia (where this costs $4), but the vet didn’t have it in stock, despite us arranging the appointment ahead of time.
We started looking for another vet in Tilcara, Northern Argentina, but only – and with much difficulty – found a shady office on a dead-end alley. This vet had missing teeth and said he didn’t have the vaccine. When I mentioned, “Rabies shots are important to have, no?” he rummaged through a drawer. Not a fridge. Enough red flags had piled up for us to leave.
So, when we were in Salta, Mark and I stopped our camper along a busy street to get another one-year rabies vaccination for Maya and the accompanying certificate, which we would need at border crossings. The cost for both was $14. Done!
Our campsite for one night in Salta, Argentina
We bought AA and AAA batteries, which belong in the household category, had two loads of laundry done for $6 in Cafayate (super affordable) and paid for one night at a campground in Salta ($5), where I also took a cab to get into the town center and back.
The other 30 nights of camping were free, as well as all the potable water we filled our tanks with.
Our expenses in March 2024 added up to a whopping $3,332 – it was a bad month! But, if you take out the plane tickets, we stayed around $1,000, which is our goal.
(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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April 10, 2024 at 10:15
I can totally understand your travel fatigue, and hope that a sojourn in a predictable country where everything works as expected will recharge your batteries!
It’s money well spent.
ENJOY!
April 10, 2024 at 15:41
Hi Jackie,
I know you get it. Just the fact that everything can actually work the way it’s supposed to is hard to grasp right now!
I’m mostly looking forward to just sitting on a couch and not having to worry about every single step of the way on a normal day here. A time where we know where (and what) to shop for, where to sleep, being able to walk with Maya without constant “dangers,” taking a pressurized shower and, maybe, just maybe, sleep through the night. You know… The things everyone takes for granted. 🙂
April 10, 2024 at 21:33
I had no clue how bad/tough life has been for you since presumably you started your SA trek, Liesbet. I have to wonder where’s the joy in all this? I hope life improves a hundredfold back in the US and Belgium. Good luck and safe days ahead to you all.
April 14, 2024 at 15:56
Hi Annie,
I’ve always said – and shared – that this kind of travel/lifestyle is not a vacation. In general, the “sacrifices” and challenges are worth the rewards of freedom, nature, beauty, enrichment, and exciting experiences.
It’s just that sometimes, we get exhausted from it all and are ready for a break (a vacation), which never happens. If we were to rent an Airbnb or stay at a comfortable campground for a period of time, once in a while, that might be enough to recharge our batteries. We say we will do this, but we never do, mostly for financial reasons.
This trip to MA and Belgium will hopefully give us a decent break to continue this journey with fresh energy! 🙂
April 10, 2024 at 10:17
My Mark was wondering how Maya will travel.
April 10, 2024 at 15:41
By plane as well. 🙂
April 10, 2024 at 10:52
Enjoy your time at home. More adventures await when you’re ready for them.
April 10, 2024 at 15:43
Hi Pete,
Thanks! A lot of logistics to work out still and a decent amount of stress up ahead as well, but once we reach our respective countries and will be able to breathe and relax for a few months, we will enjoy it!
April 10, 2024 at 10:54
I get tired of all the problems/challenges you face with you, but also feel the great joy of experiencing the world. Kudos for taking a break!
April 10, 2024 at 15:45
Hi Jacqui,
Everything in life seems to be a double-edged sword. We take the good and the bad and we thoroughly enjoy this adventurous lifestyle, but a break is necessary at times and I hope we will get that this summer.
A lot of overland travelers here do it on a sabbatical and then go back home, or they have a home in a western country and alternate between living there for six months out of the year and travel in their vehicle here for the other part of the year. We don’t have that luxury.
April 10, 2024 at 12:54
That’s a nice long break!
Wine seems so cheap, even with the inflation. I’ve heard that Argentinian wines are really good.
That pizza! Did you like it? I can see French fries on pizza but I’m unsure about the eggs.
April 10, 2024 at 15:52
Hey Duwan,
The wine in Argentina has been awesome and tasty. We can’t get enough of it. We are temporarily back in Chile and bought a similarly priced bottle here and we immediately switched back to our stack of Argentinian wine. 🙂
We’ve had eggs on pizzas before (even made them in the past while house sitting) and we both like that. It was the French fries that got it a bit over the top. It was a heavy meal to say the least. As if we just had a McDonals meal (which we haven’t had in many years). So, it was one of those times where you crave something, then you eat it, and then your stomach regrets it!
April 10, 2024 at 13:14
Wow, amazing scenery, your eyes must get tired taking it all in! It’s crazy that inflation is 100% in dollar terms – ouch. Enjoy your break in Belgium and the US. It will be a change experiencing First World travel problems; you can laugh at the whining from other passengers.
April 10, 2024 at 15:57
Haha, Marie. Our eyes only get tired after we have yet another sleepless night because of noise or fumes. But, yes, we’ve been seeing some incredible things on this trip. Yet, the best is still to come in the south, like Patagonia. 🙂
Thank you for your ongoing support and comments. They always make me smile. You are so right about the western mentality and whining. Thing is that it will be easy to adjust to the “complaining about the small things” once we are back, I think. Time will tell. Gratitude, appreciation, and apprehension are emotions that always return when I’m in a western country.
April 10, 2024 at 14:13
A 3.5 month visit to family sounds wonderful, I’m sure you’ve made a good choice there. let them spoil you!
April 10, 2024 at 15:58
Nice sentiments, Anabel. And, they do spoil us when we are back, especially in Belgium! 🙂
April 10, 2024 at 14:43
You’ll enjoy your trip home. Worth the cost.
Sorry you had so much trouble getting Maya’s shot.
Hope the camper stays safe while you are gone!
April 10, 2024 at 16:02
Hi Alex,
It’s important to go back once in a while – for ourselves and to keep the connections going with loved ones and our roots. But, it’s a logistical (and financial) nightmare to pull it all off. So, trying to manage it every two years sounds about right. 🙂
We will have to see about the camper safety. At least, it’s easier (and cheaper) to store a vehicle as opposed to a sailboat.
April 10, 2024 at 18:03
Hi Liesbet! Yep those plane tickets get expensive. But good for you for finally taking a break from the “intensity” of your trip. I can only imagine what a change
of pace it will be for you after your ongoing experiences during the last what? 24 months? How great that it worked out for you to go and in my estimation, well worth the extra expense. Looking forward to hearing how that part of your adventure unfolds. ~Kathy
April 14, 2024 at 15:44
Hi Kathy,
“Intense” sure is a good description for our trip throughout South America so far. I feel utterly exhausted. Once we go through all the logistics and extra costs, I will be happy to sit on a couch in Massachusetts or Belgium! 🙂 But, until then, we are enjoying our current travels and we will stress about the flights to reach civilization in a couple of months!
April 10, 2024 at 18:39
always take breaks as needed , and once refreshed and refueled, you’ll head back out, stronger and ready to take on the world
April 14, 2024 at 15:45
Wise words, Beth! We always say that we will take a break (locally) when we get too tired from the challenges, experiences, and moving, but we never do, haha. Now, we have to! 🙂
April 10, 2024 at 19:05
Hi Liesbet, Taking a break is a good idea, especially when stressful events seem to be constant. You’ll be back on the road with renewed energy. Safe travels!
April 14, 2024 at 15:46
Thanks, Natalie. Yes, we do need to recharge our batteries. This time, our trip “home” will be less hectic than usually by going together and for longer than two weeks.
April 10, 2024 at 19:27
I think a nice long break sounds like just what you need! Hopefully Argentina’s inflation doesn’t go up another 1000% while you are gone. Safe travels!
April 14, 2024 at 15:49
We are with you about that potential continuing inflation, Janis. It does worry us, but there is no way of telling what will happen in half a year. When talking to locals, they all think it will keep getting worse. Of course, that might lead to political issues and potential violent protests, which then might make this country unsafe.
April 11, 2024 at 13:49
I’m drawing a breath of relief on your behalf! That’s a big expense for plane tickets, but the break will be SO worth it. Enjoy your family time! 🙂
April 14, 2024 at 15:58
Thanks, Diane! It’s so strange how our visits back “home” represent our “vacation time.” By going back for longer than a couple of weeks, it might not be as hectic as those trips usually are. We will take our computers and work, but just having the basic things taken care of, will make life much easier for a summer.
April 16, 2024 at 17:13
Well done. Despite higher prices, they’re still way cheaper than North America. And yay for you guys taking a 3 month sabatacle from life as a nomad. Take it all in. <3
April 17, 2024 at 15:25
Hi Debby,
Based on your comments, it looks like we will all suffer from sticker shock, whenever we return to the US and Belgium this summer. I think we will soon have to give up on trying to stay on budget, as it is just not possible anymore. We need to keep our car maintained and fuel remains expensive, so unless we sit still and just cook, eat, and drink, we need to blow money.
Once we reach the western world this summer, I hope we will be able to enjoy a break – after all the stress and logistical issues have been surpassed. 🙂
April 17, 2024 at 14:05
I totally understand the need for a break and trip home. When we were cruising full time we would often head back during hurricane and cyclone seasons. It was so refreshing. Now you’ll be able to have real showers and perhaps less expensive, or at least easier to find, Belgian beers. Enjoy your break.
April 17, 2024 at 15:29
Hi Heidi,
I see you have a new WordPress account/profile! 🙂
I remember being a bit envious about your breaks in the US when I was reading your book. The lifestyle – aboard or in campers – gets exhausting and a tad too challenging at times. But, luckily, after every down, there is usually an up. 🙂
And, yes, we will enjoy those daily, pressurized, non-military showers once we are back in the US and Belgium. But, we better not get too used to them! My cousin’s husband brews his own beer, which Mark loves, so that is a big plus of paying them a visit, haha. They brought a couple to Peru when they visited last fall.
April 19, 2024 at 05:36
I see from the comments that Maya is also travelling with you by plane. Just as a matter of interest, what is the cost for taking a pet on board? I’m so pleased she is going with you guys, though. Much better than placing her in kennels while you are away.
That’s great that all the wine you have purchased has been very good. At those prices, I’d certainly stock up on more wine, Liesbet.
Have a great trip back home, although I’m already eager for your south American adventure to restart.
April 21, 2024 at 15:20
Hi Hugh,
With Maya’s past, separation anxiety, and personality, we could never leave her in a kennel. That’s why we make all our decisions based on her (just like we did with previous dogs we had) and that’s why for many, many years in a row, Mark and I take turns flying back to our respective countries, so one of us could stay with the dog(s).
Flying with a pet on board is tricky – cost and availability and access depend on the airline, the destination, and the length of the flights, etc. Many airlines don’t allow pets in the hold anymore, service animals fly in the cabin for free, and emotional support animals might be allowed in the cabin with or without buying an extra seat for them at full price. Small enough pets can travel in the cabin for around $150 per animal.
Mark and I tend to prefer the Argentinian wines over the Chilean ones. For now. Yet, since being back in Chile, we have enjoyed the local red grape of Carmenere as well. No reason to stock up yet, as we will be in Chile and Argentina for the majority of the next year. 🙂