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.
In September, Mark, Maya, and I covered long distances across Brazil before slowing down in Paraguay in our home on wheels, Thirsty Bella.
(As always, click on or hover over photos in photo galleries to read their captions.)
As usual, the car category topped our list of expenses. We might have set a new record, spending $642 on fuel, which made up almost half of our total monthly costs. Add $50 in tolls—mostly in Brazil—and the road budget was definitely the winner. We also bought a bucket for our sixth oil change on this continent in three years.
Groceries came to $331, about average for us. Produce in Brazil was cheaper than in Paraguay, while other items were priced similarly. We remembered Paraguayan stores being cheaper during our previous visit, but that must have been because we’d just come from pricey Argentina five months ago.
We treated ourselves to a few meals out in Brazil last month, though most of our dinners are still cooked and eaten at home. Once we settled in Paraguay for a couple of weeks, we didn’t dine out—there weren’t any restaurants within walking distance!
Our alcohol costs continue to hover around $80 a month, covering a new bottle of rum (our favorite hard liquor), beer for Mark, and wine for both of us.
Starlink internet costs went down a bit, since the Argentine peso finally weakened against the dollar. Half of our subscription (now $30 instead of $40) is covered by our business. Our account is registered in Argentina; we switched it from Peru—where we bought the antenna two years ago—after costs there became too high. We filled with potable water for free each time.
Filling with water at the free campground of Hernandarias, Paraguay
Before leaving Brazil, I couldn’t resist using their amazing self-serve laundromats one more time. Four cycles—two wash and two dry—cost $12, paid by credit card. You don’t find laundromats like these elsewhere in South America; they are drop-off only, with mixed results. I’ll miss doing laundry myself in state-of-the-art machines! In Paraguay, it was back to hand laundry…
We also renewed our annual email hosting subscription ($10) during a sale before prices went up, and paid $9 in entrance fees for a private waterfall in Brazil and a small national park in Paraguay.
Maya needed one of her yearly vaccinations, which we got done in Hohenau, Paraguay, for a very reasonable $7. We might return to the same vet for her next round of international travel paperwork.
Maya at the vet for another shot
One night in Búzios, Brazil, Mark and I went out for a drink ($7), and we spent $6 on a replacement switch to repair our broken water pump—Mark was thrilled to find a compatible part in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, and modified it to fit!
Fixing our freshwater pump
Other small costs included $3 for medicines and $3 for a campground night in a Paraguayan national park. We actually spent more time in campgrounds in September, but our current site’s fee won’t be due until we leave in October.
Most of the month, we boondocked for free, parking in nature or on the edges of towns—with mixed results for sleep quality.
And finally, after my old computer corrupted a batch of photo files, I gave in and switched to our “new” spare laptop, which we’ve been hauling around for over a year. I’m still getting used to it, but at least my photos are safe again!
Despite all the driving, we managed to stick close to our average monthly total of $1,300.
(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, check out the blogs of our nomad friends Duwan and Greg at Make Like An Ape Man.
Next up: Back in Paraguay!
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