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.
For most of last month, Mark, Maya, and I happily kept traveling and living throughout Baja California Sur and Baja California (Norte) in Mexico, slowly making our way back “home.” After 3.5 months south of the border, we returned to the United States on April 26th, 2022, and spent about a week in Southern California. We have covered thousands of miles since then.
Once we reached the historic town of Loreto by the end of March, we regretfully felt our time on the Baja peninsula was diminishing, as we would start making our way back to the US from there – where to, we didn’t know yet.
Little did we know that a couple of weeks later, a chance encounter with Katherine and Brandon in Mulege, sent us south again, back to Loreto Bay/Nopolo. Our new friends had invited us for a few days of splurging at their condo (showers, laundry, great company, a pool), which was followed by another handful of days of beach camping near town.
On April 22nd, we did – finally – start our long journey north and pretty much drove every day for the remainder of the month, slowly covering the 850 miles from Loreto to Julian, California, via San Diego. If you think our gas price for this jaunt in Baja was high, wait until the expense report for May comes out…
We finished all the food in our fridge before crossing the border, so an extensive shopping spree was in order. Fortunately, our friend Janis made dinner in San Diego on our first evening back in the US. We had a nice time with her and her husband Paul.
In Baja, it was still affordable to go out for dinner, so we did this a few times, to celebrate our postponed combined birthdays at the amazing restaurant Mi Loreto and to eat fish and shrimp tacos in San Ignacio. After taking Katherine and Brandon on the incredible Mesquite Canyon hike, they were extremely generous by treating us to a delicious seafood lunch on the drive home.
Mark and I swore we would not eat out – or do take-out – anymore once we left Mexico, as inflation is hurting us, but we happily bought our friend Amy a pho on our second night in San Diego and were treated to pizza by our friend Diana, once settled for a few days on her beautiful and peaceful property in Julian, CA.
We paid for six nights at campgrounds in April – in Loreto, Playa La Perla (Bahia Concepcion), and near Ensenada on our last night in Mexico, which happened to be the least attractive and priciest stay of the bunch.
The rest of the month, we boondocked (camping without facilities) in nature for free.
And we finally bought a souvenir – a handmade Mexican blanket. We’d been keeping an eye out for one and gauging prices at a few markets to get a feel for what they were worth. Eventually, after three months on the peninsula, we bought one from a beach vendor at a very fair price.
Now that we are back in the US and expect to spend thousands of dollars on camper preparations, parts, and fuel, we have to cut down on expenses in other categories. The coming months, we will avoid eating and drinking out, buying alcohol, and paying for laundry. We are fortunate to have friends in the Pacific Northwest, who will happily host us and provide services, like a level driveway, tools, water, electricity, a shower, and laundry facilities. Let the camper work and another transition begin!
Changing gears again the coming months
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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May 13, 2022 at 17:19
How wonderful that you were able to catch up with Janis and Paul. The photo of your visit brought back warm memories.
Love the Mexican Blanket – great choice!
May 13, 2022 at 22:21
Hi Donna!
I was initially hoping to get a more colorful Mexican blanket, but for some reason the “simple” grey with colorful fish spoke to me, especially since you don’t see dirt on it easily. 🙂
We enjoyed catching up with Janis and Paul. It had been a long time. And, as always, nobody knows when they will see us (and we them) again…
May 13, 2022 at 17:45
Hi Liesbet, I love the photos as always. The one with Mark on the hammock and Maya next to him is a cute photo. My husband and I recently moved and one of my thoughts were that I would like a hammock. Ha! If I lied down on a hammock I would sleep for a week. 🙂 I love the picture of Maya on the rock too. What a cutie pie.
I have to tell you I’ve been reading your book and am near the end. I love it!! You Liesbet are a courageous and gutsy adventurer. You are such an open and honest person. I’ve laughed and cried. There is so much I’d like to say about it except that I would give it away to anyone who might read this but hasn’t read your book. It’s the kind of book I that I don’t want to end.
May 13, 2022 at 22:26
Hi Lea!
Does your new place have trees far – and close – enough apart for a hammock? Or would you get one of those standalone ones? FYI: hammocks are okay for a little while, but I’m actually not comfortable enough in them to sleep. My body curves an unusual way in them, especially when lying stretched-put. Better to lie sideways. 🙂
Thank you so much for your compliments about my book! That makes my day. And, if you feel up for it, please leave a short “general” review on Amazon for “Plunge”. Along the lines of the last paragraph in your comment would do the trick just fine, haha. Love it!
May 14, 2022 at 19:08
Liesbet, I just wrote a review on Amazon, they said it will take a few days to process. I was going to do this anyway. I finished the book today. It is a page turner, and I didn’t want it to end.
As for the hammock, I doubt I would get one but if I did it would have to be one of the standalone ones.
May 14, 2022 at 22:17
Oh Lea, I can’t thank you enough for leaving a review. It often takes a little while with Amazon, but it’s all good. I’m so happy and excited that you enjoyed reading “Plunge” and didn’t want it to end. This encourages me to write another book one day. 🙂
May 15, 2022 at 09:19
I hope you do Liesbet. I would have to read it. I was going to say this to you in the comment above but because of all the work you put into it I didn’t think it was my place to suggest it. 🙂 You have a gift for writing that is worth sharing.
May 19, 2022 at 19:17
Yes, writing a book – and attempting to do this professionally – is a huge amount of work. I enjoy the process, but I enjoy traveling – and preparing for our next immense adventure – more. 🙂 Unfortunately, I can’t combine being an author with life on the road. This is too challenging as our unconventional life, especially with a dog and on a budget, pretty much takes all the time we have. That being said, if we manage to settle somewhere for a year or longer after our time in South America, I might consider writing another book.
Your Amazon review posted! Thank you so very much, again. I truly appreciate you taking the time and sharing your thoughts about “Plunge.”
May 13, 2022 at 18:06
So did you find your Lance?! Are your friends in the PNW Ellen and Scott? We should be there in a week. We will bring the tequila if you make the margaritas! Do you have any ratones left?
May 13, 2022 at 19:30
BTW – you don’t have to answer about the camper if you are keeping it a surprise or anything. I’m just excited to see a lance in that picture. I can stop looking for one as we drive around.
May 13, 2022 at 22:39
No surprises. Just not ready to reveal everything that has been going on on the camper front, as there have been a lot of ups and downs. I would love to sell the Cirrus before elaborating on the Lance… We are in the midst of a stressful time again.
Good eye in that last photo. That was my reveal in a “reading between the lines” kind of way. And, whoever does the effort of reading all the comments to this post, will now learn that, yes, we bought another camper, a Lance 830 (but without the fold-out tent in the back). 🙂
May 13, 2022 at 22:30
Yes. And, no. Or, kind of. We have a few friends in the PNW – right now, we are in Boise, Idaho, at our friends’ Brandon and Katherine’s place. We met them in Baja not too long ago. They are elsewhere at the moment. We plan on going to Scott and Ellen’s the first week of June. And then there is Patti in Bend, Oregon as well – and a couple of other friends whom we might visit for an evening or so.
Margaritas sound perfect, but we won’t be there when you two are. Maybe on your drive back south from Alaska? We still have a few ratones left. The benefit of having a freezer. 🙂
May 13, 2022 at 18:36
How nice that we were able to figure into your budget in April. It was our pleasure to have you boondock in front of our house and break bread with you and Mark. I’m glad you’ll be able to get up to the PNW despite the camper setback. I love your blanket and I’m glad you indulged in that purchase. You’ll be able to enjoy it for a long time.
May 13, 2022 at 22:34
It was so nice to see you and Paul and to catch up, Janis. And, like you said “Who knows when we will see you again.” That thought makes me sad.
The blanket purchase was kind of weird, as I usually don’t like grey. But, when I saw this one in the trunk of the vendor, it spoke to me for some unknown reason. It shouldn’t get dirty easily when Maya relaxes on it…
Yes, we are glad we managed to make it to our friends’ place in Boise after all. It has been a lot of driving, though, as we added a side trip to Auburn, CA, from here as well. But more about that later.
May 13, 2022 at 18:54
Liesbet, I’m glad to see you had a good time meeting friends and enjoying good foods in April. I love the fish design on your Mexican blanket. A great choice! Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare. Have a fabulous weekend!
May 13, 2022 at 22:35
Hi Natalie!
I’m glad you like my blanket. 🙂 April was still a decent month on many levels. May has been a tad more challenging…
May 13, 2022 at 20:31
I’m always amazed how you get the puzzle pieces together. And with a positive attitude. California gas prices are awful!
May 13, 2022 at 22:40
Hi Jacqui,
That positive attitude is hit or miss. But we are learning from friends and from experience that we have the believe things will work out in the end. Trust the universe kind of thing instead of pushing or hoping too much towards a certain solution or occurrence.
May 13, 2022 at 21:56
I applaud your meetups with friends and enjoying adventures on such a budget. Even when you think you spend a lot, your expenses always look low to me.
From the wee map in the upper right corner, I notice you are in Boise, Idaho now. Laurie Buchanan, one of my online friends you see whenever you visit my blog, lives there. She writes mystery thrillers. Last week her 2nd in a series launched.
Tell Mark “Hi “and give Maya an extra treat from me! ((( )))
May 13, 2022 at 22:46
Hi Marian,
We were happy that life in Mexico fit our budget better than in the US and we have good hopes that this will be repeated in South America. In the meantime, we will be extra careful here over the summer.
Yes, we are in Boise right now. It’s the first time we are spending any time at all in Idaho. But it is to work and not to enjoy ourselves. And, it’s been freezing! I remember seeing Laurie’s name in the comment section of your blog. How cool she live here… maybe just around the corner! 🙂
I will give Maya her extra treat later, when she deserves it… That dog can be so much trouble sometimes! Today, she ate tons of grass, scrounged for scraps around picnic tables on our walk, knocked me over when being rambunctious, destroyed a toy and ate its stuffing (before we caught it), and stubbornly refused to listen multiple times when we called her. But Mark says hi back.
May 14, 2022 at 00:43
So good to read your update Liesbet and that you met up with Janis 🙂 You are a very frugal couple that’s for sure!
May 14, 2022 at 14:12
Hi Debbie!
It was wonderful to touch base with Janis and her husband. When we did a three-month house sit in San Diego years ago, we managed to see each other quite a few times, which was great.
To be able to live the life we choose, we have to be super careful with money. For good or for bad. 🙂
May 14, 2022 at 01:38
You certainly managed to do a lot for this budget. You guys are amazing! Diesel prices have gone a bit mad, we are currently travelling by motorhome in Greece and fuel is expensive, but also it varies from one region to another.
Eating out in Mexico looks very reasonable, I am glad you managed to do it more often.
Loving your Mexican blanket, it looks cosy.
May 14, 2022 at 14:15
Hi Gilda!
I can only imagine (well, I actually know) how expensive fuel is in Europe right now. Last I talked to my parents, my mom told me gasoline costs 1.80 euros per liter ($7 a gallon) in Belgium. That is insane and makes me think I shouldn’t complain about American prices. We are trying to keep our other expenses in check right now; also because we need all our money for camper improvements – and flights.
May 14, 2022 at 12:56
Another reasonably-priced month under your belt, hooray! I’m sure the next few months will be a fiscal shock, but it’s great that you have a place to stay while doing your upgrades. I love your “fishy” blanket – a beautiful and useful item is the best kind of souvenir! 🙂
May 14, 2022 at 14:17
Diana, I agree with your definition of the best kind of souvenir. Those are the only ones we are “allowed” to buy, because we have no room – or storage – for souvenirs that won’t find a spot in our camper as decoration or to be used in our daily life. Sticker shock seems to be part of life in our countries, these months… 🙁
May 14, 2022 at 15:08
I went back to last month – yes, your fuel shot up! Unfortunately, staying on the West coast means you will pay the highest gas prices in the nation.
May 14, 2022 at 22:16
True, Alex. And with these high fuel prices comes the amazing territory of the west! 🙂 I can’t even imagine what this month will be, as we have been driving thousands of miles in May so far…
May 15, 2022 at 08:39
Liesbet, yes I am way behind in your posts as I have just had limited time to read and comment on blogs. But as always I go to your blog to see where you guys are at, even if I don’t manage to leave a comment. Great to see how economical your stay in Baja was and how rich a time with friends you have had.
Beautiful blanket and looking forward to seeing where the next chapter takes you.
Greetings from Mozambique Africa.
Peta
May 19, 2022 at 19:13
Hi Peta,
No worries! When I’m in travel mode – or even now when we are swamped with projects on a deadline – I have little time for reading blogs and commenting. If any…
I’m glad you liked our new blanket. We had a wonderful time in Baja, but now it is back to “real life” and the “real world.” 🙂
Keep enjoying Mozambique – quite the incredible and unique place, based on your Instagram photos and videos!!!
May 15, 2022 at 10:44
Hi Liesbet,
I was just thinking about a week back that it was near time for you to surface and report how your trip was unfolding.
I feel almost like I need to apologize for the political mess we’ve made of the US in your absence because this inflation is a complete political creation of our current federal government and the media has been only making it worse with terrible and misleading coverage.
ugh.
I’ll just leave that topic because who want’s to spend any time being anxious over stuff we actually can’t control.
You mentioned that you’re expecting some bug truck maintenance bills. Did you run into problems or is it just time for substantial regular maintenance – like brakes, which can easily cost hundreds?
Anyway – welcome back. I was glad to see you at the weekend coffee share again – finally.
Blessings.
May 19, 2022 at 19:21
Hi Gary,
I feel honored that you were thinking about me and my travels. 🙂
Every time we return to the US, it is with mixed feelings. We have to prepare for a culture shock, the overabundance in grocery stores, being overwhelmed with life in the western world, or other changes that don’t please us.
Our truck is doing great! We just did an oil change (we do as much as possible ourselves) but nothing else is happening with it. Where we need to spend a lot of money, time, and effort is our camper. We bought an older one that needs lots of renovations and improvements, so we are researching, ordering parts, and working from 8am to 10pm every day for over a week and counting…
May 15, 2022 at 23:23
Hi Liesbet. I’ve spent the last two weeks across all of the time zones in the Us visiting my older brothers. I’m flying home tomorrow. My wife just sent me the latest gas prices from our neck of the woods. $6.48 per gallon. Ouch!!! I don’t know how you function without Internet. I was without it for four days, and I barely survived.
May 19, 2022 at 20:18
Hi Pete,
I hope you had a good time with the other Springer boys! I assume I will read about it soon in one of your upcoming posts. 🙂
Those are crazy gas prices. I have been wondering if you use premium or mid-grade? We use GasBuddy and even in California, we have been able to stay under $5.50 a gallon for regular gasoline. And, in Eastern California, it is well under $5.
We probably won’t function without internet for longer than five days. Thing is that if one can plan around that a bit, it might be easier. I actually enjoy those days without being connected. A weight falls off my shoulders. These days, however, it’s full on again as we require internet for about everything we do. Sigh!
May 16, 2022 at 07:32
So you’re finally back in the US and finding out what the fuel prices are. Your trip to Mexico seems to have passed so quickly. I think you may be back there next winter.
And I love the Mexican blanket. So colourful.
May 19, 2022 at 20:20
Hi Hugh!
Our trip to Mexico lasted 3.5 months, but time flies so fast that even that seems like a blip. And, now that we are back in the US, already for three weeks, the entire trip feels like a blur and a dream! I don’t think we will be back next winter – at least I hope so – because we plan to be in South America, where we will need that blanket in the mountains! 🙂
May 20, 2022 at 09:07
Oh, I’m sure that blanket will come in very useful when up on the mountains in South America. I hear that parts have snow all year round, but I don’t expect there are any roads to get up to those parts. But who knows? You found many hidden roads and trails while in Mexico.
May 21, 2022 at 14:30
In general, we like to avoid the cold. But for fantastic scenery and rewarding adventures, we might break that rule once in a while. 🙂
May 16, 2022 at 22:27
ENjoyed your update
May 19, 2022 at 20:21
Thanks, Kristin. I’m glad to have you along… 🙂
May 16, 2022 at 23:09
Love that you caught up with your friends and I enjoyed your Mesquite valley post. I say you’ve done well my friend, considering inflation and gas prices. I know many of us are tightening the reins for now, so I admire you doing it while journeying. Hugs <3
May 19, 2022 at 20:24
Hi Debby,
I assume many people are tightening the reins, but many are not. The rich will always be rich… With this inflation and collapsing of the stock market and high fuel prices, other issues will arise and are arising. We will see what happens. Time to move to cheaper environs.
May 22, 2022 at 00:05
Good to catch up on yours and Mark’s travels. You think that was a hefty fuel bill, come to NZ where petrol is now over $2 NZ a litre for petrol. Yes, I do believe we are going into a recession as is most of the world. The effects of covid. Great that you caught up with Janis, the photo is lovely. Take care, Liesbet.
May 25, 2022 at 22:19
Hi Suzanne!
I hope you and the Squire are doing well and his recovery is going smoothly. I am aware of the even higher prices outside of the US. Well, in Western countries anyway. My mom told me prices in Belgium for gasoline are about 2 euros a liter. That’s crazy, like in NZ. Someone is taking advantage of this situation and making heaps of money. Well, many oil companies are…
It was nice to see Janis and Paul again. It had been three years or so. We hope to meet up with a few friends, on our last summer in the States.