The perfect monthly income for full time RVing

[oregonjaf]

I know everyone has discussed monthly budgets and such. I'd like to ask you all what you spend per month, different viewpoints and such. I plan on boondocking in rural areas most of the time, however I'd like to hear from the "City dwellers" as well. I know some people make it on $500 a month and some live on thousands a month. 

Thanks in advance,


John

 

[Van-Tramp]

When I was in the van I traveled, saw sights, explored, adventured, and lived full time in the van for under $1200 per month (with $300-400 of that going to gas alone). Most months were in the $900 range. You can see my older finances, when I was solo in the van, here - http://www.van-tramp.com/wp/category/van-living/finances/

Since meeting Kerri and traveling with her (in her much larger trailer) we spend just under to $3000 per month, combined, on the normal stuff; gas, food, entertainment, etc. We pay for camping more than I did in the van, and our food cost is much, much higher as she goes out of her way to buy organic an such (I did not when alone). We eat out more often than I did alone as well. We do still travel - moving every week - and go out of our way to see the sights and adventures. So, this could be reduced by a ton if a person stayed put more or didn't drink as much as we do

$600 camping
$450 groceries
$200 dining
$230 booze (yea I know)
$300 rv & veh insurance
$300 gas
$100 vehicle service (avg monthly over the course of a year)
$100 registration (avg monthly over the course of a year)
$150 storage
$300 health insurance
$150 misc
=========
$2880 total

The camping costs are usually lower since we mostly boondock, not pay for camping. That $600 is 20-days of camping each month budgeted, but I'd say we spend less than a  week at a paid campground each month so the actual costs are a tick lower.

 

[Almost There]

I really don't believe there is any such thing as a 'perfect' monthly income for anyone whether they are full timing it or not!

The only 'perfect' situation is that someone lives well within their means so that if they have some extra expenses that month it won't break the bank and that they have an emergency fund big enough to cover their butt if all hell breaks loose.

If your income is too low to support you in the manner to which you would like to be entitled, then there are two choices - increase the income or decrease the expense.

I full time and live well within my means. By this I mean that there is always some left over at the end of every month or at least quarter yearly.

Some people absolutely need $2,000 a month to live on and some people manage quite well on less than half that.

The only way to find out what is 'perfect' for you is to sit down, analyze and forecast your expenses and then decide whether the income fits or whether you need to adjust one or the other.

 

[DrJean]

Not having done this before and not yet now...  my budget is variable...well, it probably will be even as I go off the grid.


I tend to over-budget just to avoid not being prepared.  I've already learned by being on this site (thank you Bob for cheaprvliving.com) that I probably will really be able to spend much less than I plan.
I do plan to buy the full warranty/maintenance packages from FORD (brand) so that practically everything that can go wrong or needs replacing will be covered (having already been paid for through my purchase).  This include wipers and brakes!


For instance, I have the National Parks Passport which allows for discounts including on my resident State Parks Pass  (either entrance into the park or reduced campsite fee).



I didn't really budget for ANY boondocking, just so I don't have the stress of having to do so...but of course, will do as much as I can.  Then what I added in, for my own pleasure, is a computation that for every xx nights I boondock, I can stay in a hotel one night.       My vehicle insurance will be half of what I budgeted ... but might go back up once the conversion is completed.  I don't require new clothes but do require my health regime from Dr Wallach... 
One thing I expect is that if I'm out on the road and need something more than once, rather than buy new I'll begin looking in thrift stores as I go along... and when I'm done with it, donate it back to another.  
Shop for food with a grocery list.  Most people enjoy the same 16 foods as staples... find out what yours are.



It's up to you.  Does going to the movies once a month mean a lot to you then budget that in.  I think one of the main things is to include what you enjoy and not pretend you won't want to do them because you WILL want to do what you enjoy if you can, and if you do that without budgeting it you're going to blow your budget. 
If money is truly limited then you have to decide what you will cut back upon, do without, or change up so that you can do what it is you really enjoy.


This website has countless forms to use (I've requested some for RVing!)  They update with new forms each month so if you want to get on their email list, you'll know when they do.)  Bugets, food shopping, vehicle miles/care
Free forms to download and print

 

[BadSaver]

I think $3,750 would be comfortable.

 

[PathofAsha]

I don't think there is a "perfect " income or magic number. Everyone will have a different set of circumstances and corresponding budget. For instance when I was raising my 2 boys fulltiming in Colorado the budget was $900/month. Now it's just me in California and I have great difficulty staying under $3,000/month. Gas prices and location will play a big part.

 

[rvpopeye]

No one size fits all answer.
How about , never spend more than 80% of your income?
Save the rest for the what if's......

 

[wagoneer]

cooking for yourself will reduce cost and increase quality, I like staying put longer than a week ( only me here) nice having a female companion someone to talk to bounce ideas and laugh,= priceless

 

[Trebor English]

I saw a TV ad. I don't remember but it might have been FL lottery or Publisher's Clearing House. The big prize was $10,000 per week. I think perfect would be twice that, million per year, plus 20% for an emergency fund.

No, wait, that would be pre-tax. Double it again to cover taxes.

 

[DrJean]

OH yes I use 80% as an arbitrary percentage!   10% to God, 10% kept back for me, and 80% for living (dog included).

 

[Bast]

This is a topic that haunts me. I grew up hungry and the idea of not having enough money terrifies me. I am trying to figure out a realistic budget with a combination of campgrounds and boondocking and am finding it extremely difficult.
I am aware that there is not an ideal amount but is there an average.

 

[rvpopeye]

Just monitor what you spend and make decisions according to what you have.
Money getting low=travel less and boondock more.

 

[Trebor English]

Bast,
If you are in fear of running out of money minimum, not average is what you want to know.  On the Yahoo van dweller group they had a poll asking "What is your MINIMUM amount of Monthly Income you need to Dwell in your Van for a year? Your annual income requirements divided by 12 to cover all costs."

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups...pe=ENABLED&sortOrder=DESC&orderBy=DATECREATED

19% were in the most frugal group, $200 - $300 per month. That would be minimal driving and not much campground.  That sounds like a really tight budget to me.  I am over 65 so medicare and social security makes $1000 not hard to do.  In the poll 78% (if my addition is correct) were under $1100 per month.

 

[rvpopeye]

Good point and those #s sound about right.
I can live on the low side if I am careful and quite well on the high side.

Plus if anyone is having a hard time making ends meet , just have to work more ! (or spend less)

 

[highdesertranger]

basically, you do what you have to do. highdesertranger

 

[Cammalu]

I guess we could take a poll here and see what the averages are. I don't know how to set one up though


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[DannyB1954]

If running out of money is the concern, put together a budget that spends less than you do now.

 

[USExplorer]

@Bast: The (un)availability of food should be the last of your concerns. I spend about 80 dollars a month on food and eat quite well.

Even if you can't raise 80 dollars in a month by hook or by crook, there are numerous private and public charities that you can take advantage of. My younger brother who is chronically short of money goes to this church who regularly gives him far more food than he can eat by himself. In many towns there are numerous food banks. If you get tired of eating canned foods many churches and shelters serve hot meals to the public.

If you want to eat really well for nothing look into volunteer internships on organic farms. You won't make any money (with a few exceptions), but if you choose your farm wisely you will eat better and healthier than you ever have before. A great stress reliever after the stress of trying to van dwell in an urban setting.

On a different note, right now car dwelling here in eastern NC my monthly expenses look to be around 300 the next month (excluding college tuition). I can tell you, it doesn't feel as great when you have no choice but to live on a shoestring, but currently my finances are looking great.

 

[Bster13]

@Bast: The (un)availability of food should be the last of your concerns. I spend about 80 dollars a month on food and eat quite well.

Even if you can't raise 80 dollars in a month by hook or by crook, there are numerous private and public charities that you can take advantage of. My younger brother who is chronically short of money goes to this church who regularly gives him far more food than he can eat by himself. In many towns there are numerous food banks. If you get tired of eating canned foods many churches and shelters serve hot meals to the public.

If you want to eat really well for nothing look into volunteer internships on organic farms. You won't make any money (with a few exceptions), but if you choose your farm wisely you will eat better and healthier than you ever have before. A great stress reliever after the stress of trying to van dwell in an urban setting.

On a different note, right now car dwelling here in eastern NC my monthly expenses look to be around 300 the next month (excluding college tuition). I can tell you, it doesn't feel as great when you have no choice but to live on a shoestring, but currently my finances are looking great.

Would you mind detailing what you eat for $80 / month?  I think I could do it, but not with healthy foods.  Thanks!

 

[ArtW]

i'm curious about that, too