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I've been keeping track of my expenses for the month of January. Every RVer's budget needs will be different due to different RVs and different travel habits, but thought you might be interested in some of mine.

January 2012

Gas: $411, Total miles driven: 1491, Daily Average: 50 miles, or $13

Campgrounds $359, Daily average: $12

Groceries $244, Daily average: $8

Propane $20

Phone & Internet $98

Laundromats $20

Toll $2

Total Living/Travel expenses: about $1200

Of course this is not all I spent, as it does not include vet & anti-anxiety paraphernalia for Simba , nor the new camera I bought, nor an RV repair.

Interesting and sounds really good, considering the distance you've gone in that month. Not to mention all the things you did and saw on the way. The moments you shared with all of us and the sunsets in different areas we have all enjoyed. Small bucks for all that pleasure and the sharing with sooo many.

Thank you,
CArol

Thanks for sharing. It is appreciated. It is information I would not ask someone to share, but so happy that you did. It is helpful and informative information.

As I near closer to retirement and wanting to be on the road as a "most timer (to start with)", I have wondered what full-timers expenses are on an average per month/year basis. I know there are variables because of lifestyle, type of RV, etc. , but it can sure us at least a minimum of what it may cost us on the road.

I didn't even think to include laundry expenses in my budget. So, your budget expense sharing has already helped me.

Then there are the insurances (medical/vehicle/RV), also license tags, to factor in.

It was an eye opener for me when I did my first budget just over 5 yrs ago.

Thanks for sharing something so important, Liz.

AlmostThere wrote:It was an eye opener for me when I did my first budget just over 5 yrs ago.

My thoughts exactly from your post, Liz. I was very surprised at the total cost!
Lenora's right about adding insurance, and some people have a note on their rig.

Wow.

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So would that workout to be like .80 cents per mile

I agree with "impressive." This is good for all of us wanna-bes to know.

Where are you staying to get such good campground rates? Are you staying mostly in state and national parks? Boondocking?

Out east here we don't have as many national parks, and state parks are more expensive unless you are a resident of that state. Both still look a lot less expensive than private campgrounds.

mitch5252 wrote:

AlmostThere wrote:It was an eye opener for me when I did my first budget just over 5 yrs ago.

My thoughts exactly from your post, Liz. I was very surprised at the total cost!
Lenora's right about adding insurance, and some people have a note on their rig.

Wow.

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For sure there are other expenses in the total budget. These figures are just day-to-day living expenses on the road. If you eat out, that's more. If you have an RV repair, that's more. Dr. bills are added too, but so individual. $70 Texas State Park Pass was more too.

JudyJB wrote:I agree with "impressive." This is good for all of us wanna-bes to know.

Where are you staying to get such good campground rates? Are you staying mostly in state and national parks? Boondocking?

Out east here we don't have as many national parks, and state parks are more expensive unless you are a resident of that state. Both still look a lot less expensive than private campgrounds.

Camping was free on the Natchez Trace. $12 a night at the COE in Canyon Lake. $20 a night at the State Park where I am now. So averages out. I like to try to keep my average $10 or under, but will probably be a lot higher while I take advantage of visiting TX State Parks.

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Just think what my wine budget would do to those figures...OMGosh ! !

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OH NO Sarah, Say that isn't so. Mitch would give up food and laundry first and possibly a host of other things. NOT THE WINE .... Linda

bluepinecones wrote:Well Mitch, at least you know where you might save a bundle should you decide to cut your budget.

Certainly you're not implying that I cut my wine budget?
Nope, something else would have to go first.

(Linda, ya beat me to it!)

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Jean and I both used to publish our budgets. One of mine included all insurance, etc. I don't keep as good records as I did the first few years. I did keep good records on my AK trip and my Baja trip. And remember, when looking at any of them - we each are so individual and different - my "budget" for groceries/restaurants is bundled together and I try to stay within $50 a week. Normally I do. Right now, at my g/f's I'm so far out of that budget because we're eating out so very much. Like Liz I try to keep my rv park rate (when not workamping) to under $10/day - and have been under $5/day in some months - I think I was around that for the AK trip - since I boondocked so much for free on that trip. So the expensive cg's I did stay at didn't hurt - and helped with the gas budget I've paid my g/f what equals to $5 a day to be at her place now - she needs the money, and that covers me sitting her plugged into her electric - but gives me so leeway on the food budget going way out of whack.

When averaged out for a year - my budget needs to fall at or under $1000/mo. Then there will be times - like this new solar project that has to come out of my "extras" fund. Most of my "extras" and "maintenance" fund comes from workamping and being able to really have a lower budget those months. Although, like Liz, I'll be spending more this winter here in TX since I got the TX pass.

Then there are people who like to stay at all the fancy parks - and will spend big bucks to do so. Being full-time, that's not feasible for me on my budget. But sometimes, you can get a really nice one at a really good price - last time in OR, I stayed at a wonderful, fancy rv park for a week at $135. They provided continental breakfast even - so I brought my food budget down (I don't eat breakfast, but would go every morning and get a bagel and banana - for my lunch!) And it was heavenly because my back was bothering me - I headed to their whirlpool a few times a day - by the end of the week, I was rejuvenated. Was well worth it. Then I boondocked the next two weeks - so guess what - my monthly expense for that month for camping ended up averaging just over $8 a day with two weeks paid, two weeks boondocking.

It's good to see your expenses for this past month Liz.