Here goes!Gas $ 2,131
Not very high because I mostly stayed in Arizona this year.
Groceries $ 1,923
Repairs and Tags for car and trailer $ 1,883
Includes 2 new tires each for the car and the trailer, plus a new axle for the trailer.
Camping Fees $ 1,849
I spent 2 1/2 months in RV parks in Mesa and Prescott when it got too hot, the rest is dry camping.
Photography and Computers $ 1,455
No new computer this year, but my 4 new cameras cost $1,053. (It's an addiction...)
Entertainment $ 854
Eating out, dancing, and a few tours
TV, Internet, and Telephone $ 995
Would be higher, but I share them with Phil
Vehicle Insurance $ 801
Clothes $ 538
Propane $ 298
Miscellaneous "Stuff" $ 1,153
This includes non-consumable supples and unaccounted-for items. The biggest item was my new TV and mounting bracket for $ 154.
So far, the total is $ 13,880, and it looks pretty good. But here are the killer items:
Health Insurance $ 4,644
Fortunately, I recently got other insurance, so next year should be under $ 3,000.
Medical and Dental $ 7,522
I had quite a bit of dental work done this year, and I refuse to have it done in Mexico.
So now we're up to $ 26,046.
I have not included non-RVing expenses, such as the trip to Tahiti, the trip to my son's wedding, or the trip to my father's 90th birthday party.
I have also not included income tax or the cost of new vehicles (none this year) or the loss in value of my current vehicles.
Another note - I am not trying to be particularly frugal. If I see something I want, I buy it. (Hence all the cameras...) But I always try to get the best deal possible.
Thanks for sharing the financials ... it's always interesting to see how and where and how much others spend on the road.
ReplyDeleteThis is so very helpful for those of us trying to become full-timers. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you do a good job keeping expenses under control. Too bad health insurance is so expensive.
ReplyDeleteLife is real. Thanks for sharing you expense.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for posting your costs, it helps us hone our own budget.
ReplyDeleteAs for the cameras, you are excused because we enjoy your pictures so much! ;c)
The travel accounting is one of the best features of your blog and all of the postings are great. Thanks for sharing Life On The Open Road. WCQ
ReplyDeleteSince the high cost of health insurance is a concern for most of us, would you mind sharing what company you were with before and after, and what kind of coverage you had/have with both? Also, was the cost based on your state of "residence"?
ReplyDeleteThanks....
Thanks for this as I always find it interesting as to how much it actually costs to do what you and many others do. Its equivalent to about £16000 GBP. As you say the health insurance and dental work really push it up. [and a girls gotta have her cameras!!!]
ReplyDeleteTo live this life here you would have to include ferries to Europe and the fuel to drive to southern Spain as we dont have such a favourable climate in the uUK.
I guess the calculator, with its $7 million figure on the screen, isn't a real photo of your computation!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this.
Zoe
Good job! How do you keep your groceries so low?
ReplyDeleteTara - I used to have BCBS of Florida. I have switched to BCBS of Arizona. They seem to cover more preventative stuff. I also raised the deductible, since I never go over it anyway.
ReplyDeleteZoe - I was wondering if anyone would notice that!
Pat - I don't know, they've always been that low. Guess I'm not a picky eater...
Thanks Diane....are you using an AZ address as your residence to get a policy thru BCBS of AZ?
ReplyDeleteTara, yes, my sister has a house in Arizona.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd rather have a heart attack.
ReplyDeleteA Mexican dentist would charge about $2500, and have about the same rate of success as a US doc.
At least that's my experience.
Bushrod
So this totally demonstrates the difference between us. I have no idea how much I spent and don't want to! LOL
ReplyDeleteMorning, Diana,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the financials; it helps me in my planning for next year when I go full time. Glad to see you posting again. I missed your blog over the Holidays when you were busy with family and friends. Be safe on the road.
Collier Carlton
Even with my trip to the east coast this year my average daily expense for camping was only $6 and my average monthly gas expense only $350. I was really quite surprised it was so low. Belonging to all the fraternal organizations really made a difference since I rarely stayed at an RV park and the east doesn't have any BLM land.
ReplyDeleteWELL its always good to know where you stand, this is a great blueprint on what one could expect. I know your background is accounting so Im sure its in your blood to keep up with every penny...I am super frugal...and some probably wouldnt even consider my lifestyle as LIVING...lol but I am always happy to look for a bargain-and head to the second hand store first. HEY what are your new cameras??I recall you got the waterproof video camera.
ReplyDeleteHey Diana, thanks for the run down. Now if I could just get an Rv back and forth from Illinois to BLM land without driving. Compared to your's, I would at least save on my addiction...to chocolate. By the way, I like your sense and sensibility. I hope Phil is back to good health. Take good care. Janie
ReplyDeleteJust bopped over from gumo's blog.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I don't keep as good of track as you I still know I spend less to live a full-time lifestyle than when land based.
If your looking for a nice place to park in central AZ (5000 ft) this summer I recommend Yarnell. The space on private property where I spend my winters is usually open and very reasonable.
LOL With those crisp records, you can certainly tell that you have an accounting background! My partner is an EA and works for a major (the major?) accounting firm in the country. He would have records like yours too.
ReplyDeleteI personally love this warm weather. It allows us to go places during the winter that we otherwise wouldn't be able to.
I went to Sequoia National Forest a few weeks ago to see "The Sherman Tree". It was magnificant. he park ranger said this was the first winter since 1981 that the mountian had been open and not under 12 feet of snow. Pretty amazing year weatherwise.
This question of how much does it cost to live on the road seems to get WAY to much attention.
ReplyDeleteI believe that IF you spent everything you had coming in while you were in a sticks-n-bricks then you will spend everything while living on the road. Your money habits don't change much, you just spend it on different "stuff".
Thanks for posting this information - I think most people would feel this is too personal. I find this information very interesting and useful!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I'm hoping to retire in a few years and that was useful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your information. I am a recent full-timer in an Arctic Fox 22G.
ReplyDelete