Van-Tramp
Well-known member
I have not been posting my monthly finances as of late, mainly because they have been pretty boring with the long stretch of urban camping this year. I spent more than nine months sitting still this year with only about 10 weeks of traveling [in the van], so the year end finances have a unique spin over from the 2013 totals. This year I also decided to leave out my personal purchases (airfare, pet stuff, guns & ammo, clothing, etc which totalled another $2700) and instead focus on just the real-world numbers on van-life.
The big change over 2013 was my lack of movement. I spent April to November stuck in one place so I drove only 5,200 miles – half that of 2013, and only one third that of 2012. This had a dramatic effect on my gasoline usage which averaged only $153 per month, less than half my monthly budget for gasoline. Where did the remaining gasoline funds go? Camping…
In 2013 my monthly cost of camping was only $50 each month (still too much in my opinion). 2014 shows a hefty increase and of course it has a direct result to my stationary life. Another change over 2013 is just how much money I spent eating out instead of cooking form myself. Obviously, when I am in-town, I am lazier and choose to dine out more often… something that both my belt and wallet like to remind me of.
Overall, I spent less than 2013 (non-personal item comparison), but by only $900 for a $9600 total ($26.30 per day average). For 2015, I’d like to drop that number even further and if the fuel prices stay low, it will be an easy challenge to fulfill.
I realize the month-averages do not work out to the year-end total. That is because I only averaged months in which spending was done in the category. For example, I only spent money Camping 9 months of the year (not all 12) so only those 9 months were averaged. Propane is another example, wiht only three purchases all year.
The big change over 2013 was my lack of movement. I spent April to November stuck in one place so I drove only 5,200 miles – half that of 2013, and only one third that of 2012. This had a dramatic effect on my gasoline usage which averaged only $153 per month, less than half my monthly budget for gasoline. Where did the remaining gasoline funds go? Camping…
In 2013 my monthly cost of camping was only $50 each month (still too much in my opinion). 2014 shows a hefty increase and of course it has a direct result to my stationary life. Another change over 2013 is just how much money I spent eating out instead of cooking form myself. Obviously, when I am in-town, I am lazier and choose to dine out more often… something that both my belt and wallet like to remind me of.
Overall, I spent less than 2013 (non-personal item comparison), but by only $900 for a $9600 total ($26.30 per day average). For 2015, I’d like to drop that number even further and if the fuel prices stay low, it will be an easy challenge to fulfill.
I realize the month-averages do not work out to the year-end total. That is because I only averaged months in which spending was done in the category. For example, I only spent money Camping 9 months of the year (not all 12) so only those 9 months were averaged. Propane is another example, wiht only three purchases all year.
i keep a 120min dumphone for 9 a month (29/3 month service days). i dont talk a lot lol
