The $1000 mark

[straydogtalking]

In my searching around the net and reading about different people's experiences, a $1000/month for costs is often a watermark for doable or not. This includes Youtube channels and blogs about van life, car life and content about retiring abroad. I suspect it has something to do with amounts people often see for social security as well as other reasons.

I'm aware the amount of "doable" costs can change ie. the recent increase in Medicare for those over 65. Recently, everyone's gotten pinched by inflation and we're in a strange period of inflated vehicle prices often used for van life.

My question though is how many people out there already doing van life can say that it's "doable" at a $1,000 month and how do you make that work?

 

[Camper]

I get buy on what I earn every month. Some can manage our money well, and then some can't.

 

[Freelander]

I find a $1000 a month is very doable. I can probably do it less than that.

 

[user 423]

Keeping vehicle costs down is a biggy. If you have a vehicle that you are always spending money on, it can be tough. Frugality when it comes to eating out, entertainment,vices.

 

[Gypsyjoe#1]

I was doing on about $800 per month that I get from SSI, you just have to watch every cent you spend. I am back in a sticks and bricks because of health reasons and selling my RV but if I could I would be right back out there.

 

[Ripper238]

I came up with the $1000 a month from my research as well. In my case i calculated i needed closer to $1500, but I haven't done a multi month test yet.

I basically took all my normal costs and subtracted rent, electric/Heat and i came up with $1500 a month. However this includes $400 a month on fuel which can vary depending on how much i drive and the occasional motel stay for $100. So $1000 sounds very doable, which is quite scary since it such a huge difference than what we are lead to believe/experience.

Only thing missing in my calculation is medical.

 

[frater secessus]

ow many people out there already doing van life can say that it's "doable" at a $1,000 month and

My monthly budget is $500. Last month I did some elective travel and came in a bit over at $560.

I know a some folks who do it on less but they work at it harder than I do.

how do you make that work?

my approach is described here.

 

[Camper]

I read your $500 plan and will harder to do the same.

 

[straydogtalking]

My monthly budget is $500. Last month I did some elective travel and came in a bit over at $560.

I know a some folks who do it on less but they work at it harder than I do.



my approach is described here.

Thanks Frater. Nice description on your page of ways to cut spending and nickel and dime some things back to your wallet!

 

[Ripper238]

My monthly budget is $500. Last month I did some elective travel and came in a bit over at $560.

I know a some folks who do it on less but they work at it harder than I do.



my approach is described here.

Wow, that's impressive. I can barley keep my food shopping under $500 a month with a fridge.

 

[angelmander]

I “did it” for a cost of only maybe 6-700 dollars a month. I parked my RV on my buddy’s hay field in rural Ohio, paid his father a hundred dollars a month to just use an extension cord for heat. My fuel costs were minimal and I ate canned food and sandwiches, and I had cheap insurance

Definitely my biggest advice would be: use propane for heat not electricity, and bounce around between friends with your rv to save on rent

 

[Sky]

Good topic. I was able to do it on $500 in the early 1980's with a step van converted with no amenities not even a heater and I was age 21 then having friends places in rural Sonoma County Ca to park at. I did not eat much and often ate where I worked once a day. My rig needed very little to no repairs but sucked gas 10-12 mpg, so I kept my traveling very low within 25 mile radius where I parked at friends places. At 62 I am impressed at those who can live on that now and while traveling !! As a part timer, I spend a lot less if I simply move around less particularly in gas and auto repairs/updates. I eat now and am very specifically on non processed and organic fresh foods many that I grow. But with inflation and aging costs both myself and my vehicle, I often am leaning on credit and playing catch up, especially now. I wanted to get a Class C but like mentioned here already, the prices and greed have far surpassed my economic ability so dunno when I will be back on the road not to mention this pandemic I do not care to go out in. Also I had a bad auto accident years ago with TBI and being mobile full time has it's challenges for me personally, ya might say I feel in my head more like 20 + yrs older. Pat on the back for all you living within lean means geez people like you should be running the country rather than these drunken debtors always over spending and wanting more budget and cannot live within their means. lol

 

[DannyB1954]

Lots of variables. The size and age of your rig, is it paid for, the cost of registration and insurance in your State, do you need full coverage, or is liability enough, do you pay health insurance premiums,do you have expensive co-pays or medications, do you need special diets or can junk food do, Do you need to drive long distances for supplies, do you stay in cold climates in the winter, do you get bored and what to go see and do things.

People can and do exist on the road for $1000 a month. Whether you would want their standard of living is the real question. Add up what it would cost you. Your vehicle, your medical, your diet, your boredom threshold. and factor in saving money each month for emergencies. One breakdown can change you from nomad traveler into homeless person if you can not afford repairs or replacement.

I am a part time traveler living in a semi rural area, (one Home Depot, one Walmart). It is cheaper for me to stay home than be a nomad. I get bored real easy. On the road I spend money going places, doing things.

 

[Freelander]

After I pay the RV payment, insurance for the RV and the car, my Cell Phone, and my Internet bill. I can live on $1000 a month. I dont include credit cards, food, gasoline, propane, insurance, etc because those can very from month to month.

 

[rruff]

My monthly budget is $500. Last month I did some elective travel and came in a bit over at $560.

For 13 years in the 90s and early 2000s I spent ~$250/mo. It would be ~$450 now... maybe a little more, because one of the major expenses, gas, was only $1/gal back then. That $250/mo included vehicle depreciation, which should be considered if you are budgeting. I had health insurance also, but it was only $30-40/mo. I was fortunate in that major vehicle repairs were never needed. I averaged ~12k miles per year in that time, but could have driven less. I lived in a shell on a Toyota pickup.

Luxuries were a weekly buffet and movie when I went to town for supplies. Otherwise just the basics.

Of course you can spend a lot more. But I was very entertained just being in the boonies far from other people, and doing little. I loved waiting for the sunrise, and making some coffee, and wandering around the "neighborhood" to see what the wildlife was up to...

EDIT: BTW, I'm going to be spending a good deal more when I finally get going again. Just because I can! I don't know if it will be over $1k a month or not, though.

 

[Freelander]

Of course you can spend a lot more. But I was very entertained just being in the boonies far from other people, and doing little. I loved waiting for the sunrise, and making some coffee, and wandering around the "neighborhood" to see what the wildlife was up to...

Yep that's the best part!!!!!

 

[Camper]

As long as I have streaming internet, food and heat I can make it well in my cargo trailer.

By the way..... streaming PLUTO TV is free (It's over 100 channels). All you need is an unlimited data plan.

 

[gringojhon]

In my searching around the net and reading about different people's experiences, a $1000/month for costs is often a watermark for doable or not. This includes Youtube channels and blogs about van life, car life and content about retiring abroad. I suspect it has something to do with amounts people often see for social security as well as other reasons.

I'm aware the amount of "doable" costs can change ie. the recent increase in Medicare for those over 65. Recently, everyone's gotten pinched by inflation and we're in a strange period of inflated vehicle prices often used for van life.

My question though is how many people out there already doing van life can say that it's "doable" at a $1,000 month and how do you make that work?

I'm not quite van life. I need a bit more security for dogs and me. I put a 30 foot 5th wheel in a small RV park in Puerto Penasco Mexico, 4 hours from Phoenix AZ. The idea was to have a home base to come back to while I travel after retirement. I have no interest in another $3000.00 mortgage so I'm paying $154.00 a month for rent. $25.00 for internet $30.00 for electric. $100.00 a year car insurance.

This is an expat town on the Sea of Cortez. Its small enough to get anywhere on a bicycle. Theres times i wont drive the car for a month or more.

Went to the doctor the other day and it cost $2.00 for the visit. I'm not really sure why more people don't do this. My expences are $500.00 a month or less.

 

[Sky]

Wow yes I have been wondering the same and while I was going to head to Mexico did not make if for many reasons family, health and now covid and loss of business under the 'unessential' covidian economic re-org. Thank you so much for your information re ME as is my dream to get there. I have a friend I met while snow birding back in 2015 from BC who actually purchased a place down by Cortez too, where he has a 5th wheel set up but he has not been back this past 2 yrs. I am still choking over that $2.00 doctor visit OMG !!! Cheers to you !! If ya ever want to visit Nueve Mexico suggest in summer as it is 8,200 elev. PM me ~

 

[PeterPiper]

Inflation is quickly turning the $1000 mark into the $2000 mark.