Budget advice for newbs

palebluedot78 · Feb 1, 2015

So, to the seasoned dwellers...

When you originally started your journey to freedom, you set up a budget and tried to live it. As you lived and experienced life on the road or stationary, what did you realize that your budget wasn't covering? What advice would you give to yourself (and us newbs) when trying to plan carefully, set up savings for emergencies and live within a reasonable budget?

(I realize everyone has a different budget, a different set of circumstances, different rigs, jobs.. etc etc.) But generally speaking, anything you wish you knew then that you know NOW, regarding budgets, and money?

Thank you in advance. I promise to post later and formally introduce myself. :angel:

-36 year old female from Dallas

kyonu · Feb 2, 2015

I'll throw in my budgeted $.02 only because I've been hit with a lot of need recently. Note that I am not nearly as veteren as some of the other dwellers here (whom also live in vans vs my class C), but after a full month I must say it's a WAY different story that I imagined.

Now, I don't eat animal products (lady friend has many allergies, and we're both making life-style choices that prevent it) thus the selection has dropped off by 50% of available food choices. We also only eat organic, non-gmo, gluten free options, so there's another 75% off the remaining 50% of options. So as you can imagine, our food budget is pretty high. We recently made the cut to eat cheaper foods that meet the criteria and cut our spending in half.

Take away: You can always make food budget cuts and still eat healthy. We went from spending 120+ a week to 60 to 70 a week. REMEMBER: Beans and rice are your friends! Easy to cook, easy to buy, CHEAP to buy, and is the cheapest and most nutritional meal you can buy on a budget. Complete Protein + Fiber + healthy fats + other vitamins... Def worth it.

Another cut... We've had to make a lot of repairs (3 friggin leaks so far all in different areas! Don't buy from dealerships on a whim, that's for sure...) and as such our budget was cut again. I did what I can to fix them (they are permanent repairs still) but I cannot make the necessary upgrades to the areas to make them more future proof.

Takeaway: If you encounter a problem, if you're on a budget, find a good way to fix it without replacing it. More often than not you'll save money.

Luxuries: Here's an interesting one. A hobby can get VERY expensive. Turns out our hobby is the internet (right now) and I've had to pay quite a bit to obtain it in the area we're in. Since we have to adapt, we're moving to an area where internet is easier to come by. We've had to limit the amount of clothes we get (since we like to shop), and also had to limit the amount of things we buy to "decorate" the RV.

Takeaway: You truly don't need what you think you need. I say implement a "1-month" rule and toss anything you don't use for at least a month away, or store it outside of the dwelling (where you can store it for free). And remember, EVERYTHING can be budgeted.

Last tidbit: As much as you're saving, you're still going to need to SAVE money. A lot. Breakdowns will happen. Repairs will happen. Sometimes, you'll be stranded. Without money, you'll be in a BIG hole. Make sure you have reserves! I see many sites saying $2000 is a good cushion, so I'd start there.

Good luck!

cyndi · Feb 2, 2015

I lived on a strict budget for about 2 years, before going full-time. My monthly rent transferred to my gas budget. It was easier to stick to my budget once I was in my moho because of storage issues. The fact that once I parked, I was parked for between 2 weeks and a month made it even easier to live with in my budget.

I always had an emergency fund of between $4 and $5,000.00. If I had to use any of that money it was replaced ASAP.

I'm off the road until August. I'm still sticking to my budget except my rent has gone up. That means I'm saving less. Nothing else has changed.

I manage quite well on about $1000.00/month

palebluedot78 · Feb 3, 2015

Cyndi - I need to start living on a budget NOW while I have the time and the money/job. I was thinking $700/month would be a good starting point but having never full timed before, what the heck do I know. Yes, I am currently working on not only a nice emergency savings account, I am working on saving up for a rig.

Kyonu - I am plant based as well, so I understand! I discovered ALDI recently and save so much money. They even have organic produce (not a ton, but hey). 3-5# Bags of potatoes, sweet potatoes, oranges, apples, and corn tortillas, beans, rice, avocado for $15!!!

As an aside, instead of spending money on toxic tampons, I am also switching to a menstrual cup. (hope that doesn't gross anyone out) But if anyone wants to save $, that's a good place to start as female products are crazy expensive!

NWShortyFord · Feb 3, 2015

I did silly things at first like get motel rooms and go out to eat. I realize at some point a shower becomes priceless and I had moved 1,600 miles so I didn't know anyone. Since then I have found work, met friends and have a few places around town to shower(private marinas mostly) which saves me $$$. Also, spend on the van and it interior comforts, AC power, tv, dvd player, nice stove, blankets, books...whatever make you feel at home. Also I go to the local food banks almost every week when I am not working full-time(lots of seasonal work here). Not everywhere has this option but it can be a godsend if your area does. I live in a affluent part of Seattle and eat mostly Organic, local, veggies, free-range meats, artisan breads, etc from the food bank all for free...I can come out with over $100 assorted goodies sometimes. When I am working it takes too much time and effort but when I have a day off, why not?

cyndi · Feb 3, 2015

If I were to be really strict and not eat out and shop more carefully I could live on $700.00. The $1000.00 includes saving a couple hundred most months. That's beyond my emergency fund.

Chancebond · Feb 3, 2015

Even though I'm not on the road yet, I have done some calculations. If I stay still for a month at a time, than I can get by on less than a hundred a month!