How large/small is your fulltime budget?

[ToddandHeather]

On 6/22/2016 at 5:19 PM, ToddandHeather said:

Last year (2015), we came in just shy of $36,000 for the year. However, we increased the budget for 2016 because of where we have chosen to spend the majority of our time - This Summer in The Black Hills of South Dakota, and this coming Winter in Gulfport, Mississippi (with a two week stint at Christmas to Key West, Florida). Due to these geography choices our monthly campground fees increased significantly for this year. Of course, we knew this ahead of time, made the choice anyhow, and budgeted accordingly.

With nearly three years passing since I posted our Budget / Expenses, I thought it might be helpful to update where we stand. Heather and I still full-time. We have upgraded our rig from The Beaver Monterrey to a Tiffin Allegro Bus (Paid Cash from Savings - Numbers not reflected in the attached Budget). We still have the Jeep Liberty as our tow vehicle. I have included our 2016 through 2018 actual expenses as well. Please keep in mind the numbers below reflect our choices with respect to lifestyle (restaurants, diet, alcohol, etc.), location (campground fees) and relocation costs (fuel, propane, etc.). We have visited 31 states in nearly 5 years on the road. We have unlimited internet across 2 mobile phones, a tablet and an ATT Mobley Device. We eat a low carb diet (lots of meat) and enjoy Vodka (me) and Bud Light (with a Hot Damn Chaser [Heather]). We divide most of our time between Ohio & The Black Hills of South Dakota (Summer) and Tucson, Arizona & Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Winter). We basically make one big loop around the country every year. 

As others have noted, one's expenses can vary greatly depending on where, when and how one chooses to travel - and how one chooses to remain stationary. We relocate less frequently than most full-timers, but on the flip side, our travel miles fall higher than many folks - again, because of our choice to make one giant loop around the country every year. The biggest determination of what this lifestyle costs is YOU. That's the beauty of it all.

Safe Travels to you all.

 

 

2019 Budget.xlsx

[Al F]

20 hours ago, ToddandHeather said:

 We eat a low carb diet (lots of meat) and enjoy Vodka (me) and Bud Light (with a Hot Damn Chaser [Heather]).

Had to Google Hot Damm Chaser:  Hot Damn Cinnamon Schnapps  🙂

Sounds good.  Except for the Bud Light.  We prefer "real" beer.  🙂

Meat sounds good as well. That is why we have canine teeth! 

[sandsys]

On 5/19/2019 at 11:26 AM, ToddandHeather said:

We eat a low carb diet (lots of meat) and enjoy Vodka (me) and Bud Light (with a Hot Damn Chaser [Heather].

Beer is a high carb beverage.

Linda

[GR "Scott" Cundiff]

Still some of the best fulltime expense cost information on the internet.

[Sculptor]

On 1/9/2020 at 3:50 PM, GR "Scott" Cundiff said:

Still some of the best fulltime expense cost information on the internet.

Thanks Scott.  I browsed there a bit this morning for the first time.  Lots of info and well organized I might add.

we will be beginning full time soon, and it’s been reassuring to see your budget and others here, approximate what I expect to encounter.  I think the big difference for us will be the beginning part.  I envision more travel expenses the first year or 2.  We will want to dive in at first and then cut back over time.  I’m mostly referring to travel expenses, fuel, new restaurants, different camp locations more often...

[Ridgekid]

We are doing well! We are keeping our expenses under $20K a year.

1. We purchased a home base in PA which costs $240/month. That's the cost whether we are here or not. That includes utilities, Taxes and POA dues. We live here 7 months a year.

2. We spend $2000/year on campgrounds going back and forth to Arizona and for Road trips.

3. We budgeted $4800/year for food. That includes dining in which we all are doing very little of. 

4. It costs us $3200 a year for Truck/RV Registration/Insurance/Warranties

5. Communication costs $1400/year (Cellphone)

Medical? Well we have had three different policies since going FT. The last one cost us $4800/year and it was just for a wellness program. You know, Doctor visit and blood work. Actual filed cost for this service was only $800. Insurance did not cover 100%. We ended paying $341 of that. This year we paid out of pocket $458 for the same service and saved $3500!! 

Are we happy?? Wouldn't change a thing. We worked our arses off trying to get the golden ring. We are actually happier with less. And having a lot of fun doing it! 

 

 

Edited August 1, 2020 by Ridgekid
Added comment.