Huntsville, TX
When we first talked about full timing one of my big questions was .... how much will this cost and can we afford it? I began my research on the Internet. I found a few good folks who posted their expenses. Some were WAY beyond our reach. I remember one couple spent more than $200 a month on CLOTHES and at least that much on liquor. Even when we worked full-time I know we never spent that kind of money on clothes. And as far as liquor - maybe a 6 pack a year? maybe a bottle of Bailey around Christmas? Maybe.....
Then there were others who lived on very little money. But they boondocked a lot, never went out to eat and never traveled much. Didn't want that life either. One site that provided good info was RV Dreams. I appreciated their sharing their expenses.
So, now that we have completed three years of life on the road, I will share our information as I know many wannabes and planners are looking for some guidelines.
Realize this lifestyle is what you make it. Expenses vary greatly. People who stay in one area are not as affected by the cost of fuel/gas as we are. Since I am from NJ and Leonard from Louisiana, we make lots of trips back and forth. Also, we enjoy eating out, another major factor. Having 5 kids, 14 grands and 4 great grands, we have a higher expense in Birthday and Christmas gifts than others might have. Also, we still financially support our home church, any church we visit, NOMADS and other charities.
This chart is broken down to monthly expenses but some items such as RV and Truck insurance are made in one annual payment.
2010
55 Admissions/Entertainment
213 Campground fees
194 Cell/Internet
244 Church/Charity
42 Clothing
594 Diesel
284 Dining out
243 Miscellaneous
194 Gifts
208 Household
10 Laundry
15 Life Insurance
40 Mail Service
113 Medical/Dental/Eye/Presc.
24 Memberships
13 Hair cuts/Personal Expenses
102 Medicare Supplement
39 Propane
112 RV Expenses
16 Tolls
158 Truck Service/Tires etc.
46 RV Insurance
14 RV Registration
8 Truck Registration
40 Truck Insurance
Satellite
312 Groceries
Monthly Average $ 3,333
Now for some explanations:
2010 When we first took off we went to Texas and became Texans. We were shocked at how much more we paid for insurances and registration than what we paid in NJ. We were only Texas residents 5 weeks when we changed our domicile to SD. That is why our mail service is higher in 2010. We paid for a years mail services in Texas and then had to pay for a years in SD. One big expense in 2010 was $500. deductible on the RV when Leonard got into a fight with a diesel pump barrier and lost separating the back end of our fifthwheel from the side.
Also in 2010 Leonard's mother was quite sick eventually passing away necessitating us to return to Louisiana from various places several times adding to our diesel consumption.
2011
106 Admission/Entertainment
243 Campground Fees
246 Cell/Internet
291 Church/Charity
34 Clothing
688 Diesel
333 Dining out
237 Miscellaneous
265 Gifts
336 Groceries
169 Household
11 Laundry
15 Life Insurance
23 Mail Service
137 Medical/Dental/Eye
21 Memberships
46 Personal (Hair etc)
108 Medicare Supplement
64 Propane
234 RV Expenses
115 Satellite
22 Tolls
134 Truck Service/Repair
48 RV Insurance
14 RV Registration
8 Truck Registration
47 Truck Insurance
Monthly Avg $ 3,995
2011 This year we were able to purchase several items for the RV due to having settlement on our house in NJ. We replaced our two recliners at a cost of $1,300. We wanted wall hugger recliners as they can be placed much closer to the wall. We bought a new F350 Dually (paid cash so it is not in our monthly expenses) We found this truck really rides a lot harder when towing so we got an Air Ride Kingpin that cost $1,200. We got a DirecTV satellite system and a dome at a cost of $1,100. New truck meant new Ranch Hand Bumper costing $1,500. Len wanted a bigger tool box. He fabricated it but the materials set us back $600. Another accident when we had two tire blow out so a deductible of $375. RV tires $350.
In this year my mother was ill so we made an unplanned trip to NJ. She also passed on.
2012
87 Admissions/Entertainment
300 Campground fees
222 Cell/Internet
296 Church/Charity
35 Clothing
710 Diesel
353 Dining out
106 Miscellaneous
202 Gifts
320 Groceries
161 Household
14 Laundry
15 Life Insurance
19 Mail Service
178 Medical/Dental/ Eye./ Presc.
41 Memberships
45 Personal (hair cuts, etc)
137 Medicare Supplement
59 Propane
411 RV Improvement/Service
78 Satellite
10 Tolls
243 Truck Service/ Tires Etc
56 RV insurance
14 RV registration
8 Truck Registration
50 Truck Insurance
Monthly Averages $4,170
2012 We decided we needed an A/C unit in the bedroom so took the fiver in for that and found we also needed new brakes. Cost at the dealer $3,748. This shows in our RV expenses category. Since we had difficulties with tire blow outs on the Fifthwheel we decided to upgrade them to G rated - cost $900. Also in RV expenses category. We also bought 6 tires for the truck - $1.528. I needed new glasses - $300. Len had an issue with an eye - $275. We decided to ditch our Sprint and change our cell phones and Internet to Verizon - $350. In 2012 I paid for multiple years memberships to Good Sam, Escapees, Passport America causing that line item to be higher.
So, here it is. Sure, we could have gone without some items such a new recliners, bigger tool box, Airride Hitch, Ranch Hand bumper (although Len would argue that point) DirectTV and eating out as often. But so far we've managed quite well.
Hope this helps anyone looking for input on costs of living on the road. It's worth every penny!
Leaving Blogger–Moving to Facebook…
7 months ago
3 comments:
Hey guys..havent been able to keep up w/ you much lately...very interesting on the expenses. I think Sam is of the opinion it costs almost nothing. Cost is one of the reasons we can only do part time after I retire, still need to work part time. I honestly didnt know who much $$ would be per month. someone spends 200 a month on clothes and lives in a RV, where would you put them...my annual budget is about 200.00 :-)
The first two years we kept a very detailed account of where we spent our money. We found that we spent about the same no matter where we were or what we were doing. We decided year 3 to chuck it. Paul keeps track of gas and campground fees only. You two did a good job of breaking it down.
It is funny how people's budgets vary so much. We are very close to yours, and it obviously differs when we don't travel as much. I get tired of keeping track of everything, but it keeps things in check :)
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