Our Fulltiming Costs

[honda03842]

We're not actually fulltimers but have been on the road for 309 consecutive days. Daily we keep track of our expenses. The following, though not all of our expenses, are the primary categories of concern to most people. Hopefully they'll help prospective fulltimers.

Gas - $11.55/day - about 3 gallons, 70 miles/day
Auto Repairs - $0.42/day - mostly oil changes
RV sites - $14.42/day
Groceries - $9.50/day
Restuarants - $9.29/day - includes a number of group dinners
Entertainment -$3.22/day
Misc - $4.62/day
Propane - $0.20/day - mostly cooking, some fridge
Clothing - $0.64/day - the clothes we start with are usually enough
Laundry - $0.37/day

Our total daily expenses amounted to about $89 a day. The $89 includes our medical insurance. It does not include auto or trailer insurance or any costs to maintain our small home.

Of these categories we could probably cut back on the costs of RV sites by staying at less expensive locations, increasing our boondocking or staying longer at one place. Restaurants could be probably cut as well. This number is inflated by some large group dinners.

Unfortunately the cost of fuel increased substantially during our trip and I suspect this trend will continue. Though there's not much written about food prices seemed to have gone up as well.

All and all what ever the cost the travel and adventure is worth every dollar. Hope this helps someone.

[RRIZZO]

Thank you both for this post. As a wannabe soon full timer any and all info is a hugh help. I have really enjoyed following your adventures.

Via Con Dios.

[Anne H]

Good info! thanks. I've been trying to keep track of my traveling expenses - however, my previously really detailed, organized work-life nature seems to have disappeared in retirement

[honda03842]

We use a spreadsheet. Each page is a month with each column a day. Really pretty easy. Ginny is religious on the log so I follow suit on the expenses.

Having this for 11 years gives us a good projection on each year.

[SherryNPaul]

Norm and Ginny,
Thanks for this post, along with so many informative posts you've shared. Your honest and insightful sharing is helpful to so many of us.
Sherry

[honda03842]

Thank you for the kind words. We do love our travels and the time together. It has been special beyond anything we imagined before we started.

[DannyH]

Thanks for the post. We are always interested in what the cost is going to be. Is it possible for you to post a blank page from your spreadsheet to show items and how you have it set up.
Thanks

[honda03842]

I was unable to attach an XL file however anyone who wants a copy of the spreadsheet send me your perconal email address and I'll send you the spreadsheet.

If you know how to embed a spread sheet in a post let me know.

[mary and bob]

Great info, but we're wondering how the daily RV site cost is so low. We're going to be paying $500 per month for two months this winter, then on the road for one month at state campgrounds in Florida. And what and where are you eating?

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by honda03842

If you know how to embed a spread sheet in a post let me know.

Doesn't look like an Excel file can be attached, only these:

[Steve Hammel]

Take a picture of your spreadsheet (screen shot) and post it as a pic.

[honda03842]

Wgen you sum it up we eat about $20 of food a day. Since we've started RVing we eat dramatically less and between us we have lost about 100 pounds over 11 years.

We eat a 200 calorie breakfast practically everyday, one egg, one slice of bacon, a piece of toast and coffee. It seems like plenty, tastes good and is a good start to the day.

Lunch is usually a light meal. We often eat left overs from the night before or have a PB&J sandwich or the like. If driving we have fruit, nuts or the like for snacks in the car. We often will pull into a MacDonalds and spend $5 on a coupl of burgers and split a fries and a soda.

(Since we now eat less our stomachs have shrunk and we actually have to eat less.)

When we go out we now often get a small pizza where in the old day we get and eat a large one.

We often cook on the our volcano grill for supper. It now turns out that an 8=10 oz steak split between us is enough, usually with a salad and sometimes a potato.

At night we often have coffee, spliting an english muffin or some special dessert if we find a special place.

Whenever we find a unique place to eat we go. Last night we found a wonderful restuarant and bakery in Zaneville, OH.

We actually feel we eat well, just not as much as we used to eat.

[honda03842]

Our camping fees are not particularly low. Bryon, our Oregon Scamp freind, regularly averages $7 a night.

First were Escapees and Escapee parks are usually $14 and can be less if you stay a month. Second there are Corp of Engineer Parks that are no more than $11 a night for seniors. Third there are a lot of Passport 1/2 price parks. Fourth in the west there are a lot of National Parks or BLM land parks that can be $5.

In Florida it is possible to stay for a month at many parks for $300. Actually $500 averages to $15 a night, not too bad. As well when you're fixed for a month your fuel charges are low, really one of our biggest expenses when you're doing as much driving as we do.

The cost of camping in the West can be a lot better than east due to the increased amount of Federal Property.

[honda03842]

We definitely avoid buffets, though it's usually relatively low cost food on a unit basis, it's too much for us.

My brother says "You have choices. Do you live to eat or eat to live?"

In our pre RV life we simply ate too much. Now we eat less and try to eat less of higher quality food. We find the great bakery and just get a little of something great.

[honda03842]

Our first year of RVing we kept track of the number of PB&Js we ate. We'll often have 1/2 a sandwich or more when we go out for a hike. If we have a big lunch we often will have one for supper. We split a banana every day.

[honda03842]

I'll take a picture of it tonight. Unfortunately the spread sheet contains a lot of formulas that won't translate via a picture.

The spread sheet automatically sums daily and by category and calculates the amount spent on average per day and the amount left to spend per day.

If anyone wants the real thing they can PM me. I will post a picture when we stop for the night.

[Jon Vermilye]

Click here to download a copy of Norm's .xls spreadsheet file.

[honda03842]

Thank you Jon.

Ginny's eating input: When we go out to eat we typically go at lunch, it costs less and the portions are more reasonably sized plus typically we are not traveling about after dark, the Moose are too big and our eyes are failing. As well, in the German style, large meals are better digested when eaten at noon.

[accrete]

Originally Posted by honda03842

... As well, in the German style, large meals are better digested when eaten at noon.

: ) It is also the ZENthing to do. Much easier on the mind and body. Been having basically my only _meal_ before 1300 most of the last 30 years.

Cheers,
Thom

[Bonnie n Claude]

Thank you Jon for uploading the spreadsheet, I've added it as a worksheet to my Excel file for our upcoming trip. And thank you Norm and Ginny! When we bought the Boler my DH was 70 and the PO wondered if that was too old. The few trips we made have been wonderful. Although we sold our 'masoleum' (aka 'The Big House') and moved into a condo-apartment 12 years ago, we constantly find we have too much space and too much stuff. Your posts have been a true inspiration. Looking forward to reading about your progress on your new renovations list and your next trip.