A descriptive look at traveling and full-timing with our second RV, a fifth wheel toyhauler.
Laura and Sasha started this adventure in April of 2005
for a two week vacation in a truck camper.
Expenses of 2009:
Summary of 2009: Please check out the sheet below. As you can see we had to split it up a little to get the entire sheet on, but you can get an idea of it all. Plus at the end, I have the totals and the averages for each category. I also show what we spent last year as compared to this year.
People always ask, and of course, every month is different. And finally, I separated out the improvements we did on the truck and RV.
We will have a page or two about all of the improvements we did on the RV both in 2009 and 2010. Sasha is writing that page, so it will be a little while before I get it on the website.
| Month | Categories | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul |
| Food | Food&Household | $291.05 | $332.11 | $198.49 | $207.33 | $277.79 | $419.35 | $182.87 |
| Provisions | $- | $- | $89.14 | $- | $109.99 | $109.99 | $149.67 | |
| Farmer's Market | $- | $- | $- | $- | $21.40 | $29.00 | $- | |
| Meals To Go | $165.90 | $279.08 | $297.75 | $331.90 | $275.85 | $51.21 | $180.43 | |
| Totals | $456.95 | $611.19 | $585.39 | $539.23 | $685.03 | $577.61 | $512.97 | |
| Clothing | Clothing Laura | $- | $31.45 | $- | $- | $2.10 | $- | $- |
| Clothing Sasha | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Clothing All | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Totals | $- | $31.45 | $- | $- | $2.10 | $- | $- | |
| Utilities |
Laundry | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| Electricity | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Rent/Storage | $- | $- | $550.00 | $160 | $160.00 | $160.00 | $- | |
| Propane | $- | $- | $- | $25.20 | $- | $- | $55.00 | |
| Totals | $- | $- | $550.00 | $185.20 | $160.00 | $160.00 | $55.00 | |
| Shelter | Hotels/Motels | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| Campgrounds Fees | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Services (Maintenance) | $- | $709.57 | $- | $13.04 | $- | $- | $216.20 | |
| Totals | $- | $709.57 | $- | $13.04 | $- | $- | $216.20 | |
| Stuff/Tools | Truck/Bike | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| Camper | $3.86 | $- | $58.51 | $- | $409.62 | $1.07 | $- | |
| Trailer | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Totals | $3.86 | $- | $58.51 | $- | $409.62 | $1.07 | $- | |
| Transport | Car Gas | $79.39 | $96.16 | $174.64 | $79.47 | $- | $- | $- |
| Diesel | $152.79 | $69.09 | $- | $145.90 | $187.85 | $110.54 | $100.10 | |
| Gas for Cycle/Generator | $- | $- | $9.51 | $49.34 | $11.32 | $14.73 | $- | |
| Truck Maintenance | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Cycle Maintenance | $80.00 | $- | $513.42 | $272.17 | $- | $10.87 | $- | |
| Car Maintenance | $26.16 | $- | $38.29 | $60.00 | $- | $- | $- | |
| Tolls/Parking | $35.00 | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Truck Registrat/Taxes | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $48.75 | $- | |
| Cycles Registration/Taxes | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| 5thWheel Registration | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Cycles Insurance | $- | $- | $99.00 | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Truck Insurance | $- | $- | $537.64 | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Truck Inspection | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Cycle Inspection | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| 5thWheel Inspection | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Totals | $373.34 | $165.25 | $1,372.50 | $606.88 | $199.17 | $184.89 | $100.10 | |
| Commun | Postage | $42.13 | $48.05 | $5.33 | $10.60 | $- | $- | $16.50 |
| Cell Phone | $60.90 | $- | $137.01 | $60.90 | $- | $45.67 | $60.90 | |
| Internet | $- | $- | $- | $- | $103.62 | $60.28 | $60.07 | |
| Hosting | $- | $- | $- | $- | $38.93 | $- | $- | |
| Mailbox (Escapees) (2Y) | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| 1st Class (Escapees) | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| New Laptop | $- | $- | $- | $1,173.19 | $- | $- | $- | |
| Computer Stuff | $- | $- | $- | $617.78 | $15.71 | $- | $- | |
| Totals | $103.03 | $48.05 | $142.34 | $1,862.47 | $158.26 | $105.95 | $137.47 | |
| Health | Health Insurance (L) | $113.00 | $113.00 | $113.00 | $113.00 | $113.00 | $152.00 | $152.00 |
| Health Insurance (S) | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $385.92 | $192.96 | |
| Doctor | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $110.00 | |
| Dentist | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Gym | $- | $- | $107.00 | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Prescriptions | $29.00 | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $10.00 | |
| Health Other | $- | $- | $5.50 | $21.98 | $- | $- | $50.00 | |
| Totals | $142.00 | $113.00 | $225.50 | $134.98 | $113.00 | $537.92 | $514.96 | |
| Recreation | Books/CDs | $- | $- | $6.25 | $4.00 | $1.05 | $- | $- |
| Fun Stuff | $99.33 | $- | $14.68 | $9.50 | $80.86 | $115.00 | $597.08 | |
| Gardening | $- | $- | $- | $105.09 | $97.35 | $- | $5.11 | |
| Gifts | $12.13 | $- | $16.04 | $26.25 | $25 | $- | $- | |
| Totals | $111.46 | $- | $36.87 | $144.84 | $204.26 | $115.00 | $602.19 | |
| One-Time | Bought Hitch | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| Hitch Repair | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Solar Equip/Install | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Bought Camper | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Bought Tires | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Installed Hitch | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Exhaust Brake | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Extra Fuel Tank | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Driver's Licenses | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Totals | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Taxes | Cost of Amex | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| Cost of Costco | $50.00 | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| State Tax | $- | $- | $- | $- | $815.93 | $- | $- | |
| Federal Income Taxes | $- | $2,734.00 | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Shortfalls | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Totals | $50.00 | $2,734.00 | $- | $- | $815.93 | $- | $- | |
| Total Totals | $1,240.64 | $4,412.51 | $2,971.40 | $3,486.64 | $2,747.37 | $1,682.43 | $2,138.89 |
..
..
| Month | Categories | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Sum | Averages |
| Food | Food&Household | $219.55 | $227.39 | $230.44 | $216.27 | $186.88 | $2,989.54 | $249.13 |
| Provisions | $91.73 | $- | $193.52 | $231.86 | $63.54 | $1,007.50 | $83.96 | |
| Farmers Market | $33.19 | $- | $19.61 | $14.00 | $26.48 | $143.68 | $11.97 | |
| Meals To Go | $17.35 | $62.20 | $139.18 | $279.17 | $129.05 | $2,208.07 | $184.01 | |
| Totals | $361.82 | $289.59 | $582.76 | $731.40 | $405.94 | $6,348.78 | ||
| Clothing | Clothing Laura | $38.82 | $- | $26.42 | $- | $23.85 | $122.64 | $10.22 |
| Clothing Sasha | $- | $- | $26.22 | $66.79 | $- | $93.00 | $7.75 | |
| Clothing All | $- | $- | $32.34 | $- | $- | $32.34 | $2.70 | |
| Totals | $38.82 | $- | $84.98 | $66.79 | $23.85 | $247.98 | ||
| Utilities |
Laundry | $- | $- | $- | $10.00 | $10.00 | $20.00 | $1.67 |
| Electricity | $- | $- | $- | $- | $21.79 | $21.79 | $1.82 | |
| Rent/Storage | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $1,030.00 | $85.83 | |
| Propane | $- | $- | $75.44 | $55.41 | $80.03 | $291.08 | $24.26 | |
| Totals | $- | $- | $75.44 | $65.41 | $111.79 | $1,362.87 | ||
| Shelter | Hotels/Motels | $- | $- | $- | $87.30 | $- | $87.30 | $7.28 |
| Campgrounds Fees | $- | $- | $- | $54.00 | $174.00 | $228.00 | $19.00 | |
| Services (Maintenance) | $- | $- | $- | See Below | $- | $938.81 | $85.35 | |
| Totals | $- | $- | $- | $141.30 | $174.00 | $1,254.11 | ||
| Stuff | Truck/Bikes | $- | $- | $295.93 | $120.03 | $128.76 | $544.72 | $45.39 |
| Home | $- | $- | $- | $274.40 | $288.38 | $1,036.14 | $86.34 | |
| Trailer | $14.50 | $- | $- | $47.39 | $- | $61.89 | $5.16 | |
| Totals | $14.50 | $- | $295.93 | $441.82 | $417.14 | $1,642.76 | ||
| Transport | Car Gas | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $429.66 | $35.80 |
| Diesel | $53.79 | $72.17 | $999.90 | $848.92 | $585.37 | $3,326.42 | $277.20 | |
| Gas for Cycle/Generator | $- | $- | $- | $108.60 | $- | $193.50 | $16.13 | |
| Truck Maintenance | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Cycle Maintenance | $- | $- | $- | $- | $6.67 | $883.13 | $73.59 | |
| Car Maintenance | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $124.45 | $10.37 | |
| Tolls/Parking | $- | $- | $- | $- | $3.00 | $38.00 | $3.17 | |
| Truck Registrat/Taxes | $- | $342.62 | $- | $- | $310.58 | $701.95 | $58.50 | |
| Cycles Registration | $- | $- | $- | $- | $161.80 | $161.80 | $13.48 | |
| 5thWhl Registration/Taxes | $- | $- | $- | $- | $1,100.00 | $1,100.00 | $91.67 | |
| Cycles Insurance | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $99.00 | $8.25 | |
| Truck/Car Insurance | $- | $342.62 | $- | $- | $- | $880.26 | $73.36 | |
| Truck Inspection | $- | $- | $- | $- | $14.50 | $14.50 | $1.21 | |
| Cycle Inspection | $- | $- | $- | $- | $15.50 | $15.50 | $1.29 | |
| 5thWheel Inspection | $- | $- | $- | $- | $14.50 | $14.50 | $1.21 | |
| Totals | $53.79 | $757.41 | $999.90 | $957.52 | $2,211.92 | $7,982.67 | ||
| Commun | Postage | $9.90 | $4.95 | $- | $0.80 | $7.87 | $146.13 | $12.18 |
| Cell Phone | $- | $- | $55.83 | $55.83 | $30.45 | $507.49 | $42.29 | |
| Internet | $60.07 | $94.07 | $60.07 | $60.07 | $60.07 | $558.32 | $46.53 | |
| Hosting | $- | $- | $- | $29.94 | $- | $68.87 | $5.74 | |
| Mailbox (Escapees) (2Y) | $- | $- | $- | $- | $295.00 | $295.00 | $24.58 | |
| 1st Class (Escapees) | $- | $- | $- | $- | $50.00 | $50.00 | $4.17 | |
| New Laptop | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $1,099.00 | $91.58 | |
| Computer Stuff | $- | $4.95 | $35.50 | $- | $- | $671.58 | $55.97 | |
| Totals | $69.97 | $113.97 | $151.40 | $146.64 | $443.39 | $3,396.39 | ||
| Health | Health Insurance (L) | $152.00 | $152.00 | $152.00 | $152.00 | $152.00 | $1,629.00 | $135.75 |
| Health Insurance (S) | $192.96 | $192.96 | $192.96 | $192.96 | $169.96 | $1,520.68 | $126.72 | |
| Doctor | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $110.00 | $9.17 | |
| Dentist | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | |
| Gym | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $107.00 | $8.92 | |
| Prescriptions | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $39.00 | $3.25 | |
| Health Other | $40.00 | $- | $- | $- | $3.64 | $121.12 | $10.09 | |
| Totals | $384.96 | $344.96 | $344.96 | $344.96 | $348.60 | $3,526.80 | ||
| Recreation | Books/CDs | $- | $- | $20.51 | $0.53 | $- | $32.34 | $2.69 |
| Fun Stuff | $0.99 | $38.50 | $9.00 | $45.81 | $80.74 | $1,091.39 | $90.95 | |
| Gardening | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $203.84 | $16.99 | |
| Gifts | $- | $- | $25.00 | $- | $50.00 | $154.42 | $12.87 | |
| Totals | $0.99 | $38.50 | $54.51 | $46.34 | $130.74 | $1,481.98 | ||
| One-Time | Bought Hitch | $- | $3,117.62 | $- | $- | $- | $3,117.62 | $259.80 |
| Hitch Repair | $- | $- | $- | $196.90 | $- | $196.90 | $16.41 | |
| Solar Equip/Install | $- | $- | $- | $9,578.00 | $- | $9,578.00 | $798.17 | |
| Bought Camper | $- | $- | $- | $16,350.00 | $- | $16,350.00 | $1,362.50 | |
| Bought Tires | $- | $- | $- | $730.00 | $- | $730.00 | $60.83 | |
| Installed Hitch | $- | $- | $- | $625.20 | $- | $625.20 | $52.10 | |
| Exhaust Brake | $- | $- | $- | $3,469.03 | $- | $3,469.03 | $289.09 | |
| Extra Fuel Tank | $- | $- | $- | $1,753.82 | $- | $1,753.82 | $146.15 | |
| Driver's Licenses | $- | $- | $- | $- | $63.00 | $63.00 | $5.25 | |
| Totals | $- | $3,117.62 | $- | $32,702.95 | $63.00 | $35,883.57 | ||
| Taxes | Cost of Amex | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- |
| Bank Charges/Fees | $- | $10.00 | $5.00 | $- | $- | $15.00 | $1.25 | |
| Cost of Costco | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $50.00 | $4.17 | |
| State Tax | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $815.93 | $67.99 | |
| Personal Property Tax | $- | $- | $560.00 | $- | $- | $560.00 | $46.67 | |
| Federal Income Taxes | $- | $- | $- | $- | $- | $2,734.00 | $227.83 | |
| Totals | $- | $10.00 | $565.00 | $- | $- | $4,174.93 | ||
| Total Totals |
$924.86 | $4,662.85 | $3,154.88 | $35,655.03 | $4,307.40 | $67,302.84 | $5,608.57 | |
| Regular Expenses |
$34,599.89 | $2,774.24 | ||||||
| 2008 Expenses |
$29,997.17 | |||||||
Summary of 2011: Has not happened yet!
Expenses of 2010 This year was not as expensive as last year, but last year we bought our new rig. This year we have made modifications to the rig, and sold our truck to get a new one. But no expenses for the new truck.
Expenses of 2009 This was the year we bought our new rig. So expenses were higher than the year before, however, not by much. So maybe the full-timing gig can be less expensive than living and working two jobs.... Yet anyway... Hope the new year will be fill with happiness and good fortune.
January 2009 - In Virginia, living in a house.
February 2009 - In Virginia, living in a house.
March 2009 - In Virginia, living in a house, but then some good news.
April 2009 - Started working in Cape Hatteras National Park and living there, resort living means $$. Especially since Sasha will not be with me for part of the month.
May 2009 - The first full month of us both being in Cape Hatteras NS, and me getting used to the NPS.
June 2009 - Bought a bit of provisions and we did some traveling.
July 2009 - Sasha started Volunteering, and it is hot, how will the expenses be?
August 2009 - Another hot month Cape Hatteras, how high will the expenses be?
September 2009 - No more summer programs, and Sasha did a search for the rig we wanted, we expect the next couple of months to be expensive.
October 2009 - Part of the month working and part traveling, we are headed west...
November 2009 - The most expensive month since full-timing. But we bought a rig, so it makes sense.
December 2009 - Spent three weeks in our new home state, and then headed to Nevada. While this year was expensive, we now have a great rig, and hope to enjoy it for years to come.
Year of 2009: This was the year we bought our new rig. We lived in a House, I got my first job with the National Park Service and Sasha started volunteering, and then we went on an amazing adventure to get the rig. We then went to volunteer at Lake Mead.
Summary of 2008: Sasha is working and I am working/volunteering as we move from place to place.
Summary of 2007: Selling the house and everything in it to start our real adventure of volunteering and living in a National Park, and having Sasha commute to work. It was an expensive year in some aspects, cheaper in others.
I do not have the expenses per se of the years before 2007, but just so you understand, we were keeping up with the Jones a bit, but not entirely. But we had found the Your Money or Your Life principles to be sound and that was in 2004, so we have been slowly inching our way along the path towards financial freedom.
Check out Next Month: A New Year and a New Place: Lake Mead National Recreation Area. We left Livingston, Texas to head to Lake Mead National Recreation Area where we were expecting to stay the rest of the winter....Check out January: a new year, the start of a new decade, and a ton of catching up to do! Hopefully the expenses of January will be low as we are volunteering.