The cost of Feb 2014

After taking January off from my van-adventures, I returned to the road on the 28th of January. One of my goals financially is to live on even less than the $1,000 per month of last year.

With it still being mighty cold in Colorado, the main goal – other than just traveling – was to head south to warmer weather; Arizona. Since I was to be so close to the border, a trip (or two, as it turned out) into Mexico was done for some much needed dental work.

$200 of my fuel cost was just to get me down near the Mexican border. Since I spent only another $140 on fuel once in Arizona I am claiming a small victory on the fuel costs for the month.

The grocery bill could have been better. For example, I was fed by others no less than 11 dinners which should have reduced my food cost.  However, because of the added socializing I bought and used more alcohol which used up any potential savings. It was money well spent though… the food was great and so was the company.

It is ironic that the gym is my 3rd largest expense now. I am a member of two gyms, mostly for working out but also because they provide me a hot shower whenever I want. The ironic part is that I have only been able to visit these two gyms twice all month. That is a lot of money spent for two visits, so I will have to camp closer to my gyms in the future.

The biggest savings over last year was that I spent a total of two nights in paid camping. Once at a Moose Lodge and another at a State Park. Not paying for overnight camping is one of the easiest and fastest ways to reach my goal of paying less each month over last year. The $902 total represents a cost savings of about 10% over my nearly $1000 per month average of last year.

I did not include my dental costs, savings, or money sent back home to my family.