I finally got around to posting my spending for the month to-date. It is on the side-bar to the right. It seems like I spent a LOT of money in a very short period of time. But you have to bear in mind that, like many Americans, I get paid at the first of the month and so I head straight to the store and spend a lot of money on food and gas. I don’t expect to spend any more money on gas this month or on dog food. I will spend more on food, but I hope not too much.
One thing that makes my spending out-of-whack is that everything is more expensive up here in the National Forest. I think I could cut my food bill down by almost half if I were in a major town with a Walmart Super Center. For example, today I spent $3 for a dozen large eggs, but if I had been at Walmart they would have cost half as much. I try to spend as little as I can in Shaver Lake, but for the rest of the month I will buy all my perishables here: meat, bread, dairy and produce. The only other choice is to drive down to Fresno. I’d save a lot on groceries, but the trip will cost me $60 in gas. No way will I save that much in groceries, so there just is no option but to buy my groceries up here.
Something else that makes my food spending more complicated and expensive is that I am now a couple instead of a single man. We haven’t exactly figured out how to handle money. But we eat most evening meals together, and I have more disposable income than Cheri does, so I generally spend more for food. Who would of thunk one day that one day I would be a “sugar daddy!?” Poor girl is in for a pretty big shock when she sees my bank account!
One final complication for me to keep track of my food spending is that we have so many people camping with us we have been having communal meals together. Cheri and I both love doing it, but we are spending more than we normally would.
The last time I was in Fresno I bought two 40 lb bags of dog food, and lots of canned dog food. But that was 2 months ago and I am running low. So I had to stock up on Homers dog food. What can I say, I love him so much he is worth any amount of money for dog food.
I also spent $280 on a new solar controller. I consider that to have come out of savings instead of being a regular part of my normal monthly spending. But things do break and have to be replaced so I am including it. The bottom line is that one month’s record of spending can’t be typical. It will take many months records to start to get a true idea of my spending. Stay tuned!!
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UPDATE: I just got an email from Bill and Judy and they are not going to join us here in the Sierra NF. They found a place closer by with full-hookups to spend the rest of the summer. I’m really sorry they aren’t coming, but I am very glad they found the perfect place to spend the summer.
BUT, I also got an email from Suanne and she has some vacation time so she is going to join us here for a few days. It will be wonderful to see her again! As amazing as it is, she takes very long trips in her Toyota Prius, I mean 6 month long trips. You can find her story here: http://cheapgreenrvliving.com/priusliving.html
Bob
Bob,
Did you buy a BlueSky controller? I just bought a new 200 watt system plus a BlueSky from AM Solar for a future install project on a used Chevy Suburban I recently bought….but its not a “kit”…I bought the components separately. I had MorningStars in the past, but prefer MPPT controllers now.
Hi John, yes, I bought the Blue Sky 2000E. It is happily charging away right now! I think of all the people I’ve talked with about solar power, more use and recommend Blue Sky than any other (especially the 2000E). That’s why I went with it. Interesting that you are setting up a system for a Suburban. A very good friend of mine has270 watts on his suburban, and 400 watts on his travel trailer (plus a 400 watt wind gen) he doesn’t want to run out of power!!
This winter I am going to replace my old pickup with something else, probably a high-top van. But I will miss 4×4, so I am still considering a pickup or suburban. But probably a van. I will set up another complete 140 watt system on it, I already have the 140 watt panel. I have 190 watts on my converted cargo trailer, but my plan is to set the van up for traveling. When Cheri and I are traveling in the van, we will leave the cargo trailer in storage. We are expecting to explore the Northwest next summer.
Why do you want a separate system on the Suburban? Bob
I want the Suburban to have power independent of the trailer, same as you! There are times I want to just leave the trailer behind for a couple weeks to a month and be able to go explore…..the Suburban has 4×4, and the trailer sets low……this way, I can get where I want/park where I want and still have plenty of power, and be comfortable too. When the time is right to head home, the trailer will be there waiting!
Hi Bob
If you hunt around you can find used Ford Econoline vans with the Quigley 4×4 conversion. That gives you a nice van with 4×4.
Andrew, hunt around is the operative word. They are out there, but they are few and far between. And according to the laws of supply and demand, they are going to be expensive. So it is either a 2×4 van or a 4×4 pickup. I’m thinking that after I get a van, I can put a lift kit on it, bigger, aggressive tires and a Locker on the rear-end. It won’t be as good as true 4×4, but it will be very good for most things I do. It may not cost much more than a 4×4 pickup. Bob
Dear Bob,
Going completely vegetarian really lowers cost. A person can do a little fishing if they can’t get off meat completely. I have found canned vegetarian meals from EDEN, a very good company. They have a wonderful variety, and the selections are based on many different country’s food.
Kitty, I think you are right about vegetarian being cheaper. Not only that it might have the advantage of not needing refrigeration. That would be a big plus. Alas, I am a meat-eater and not fond of fish, so vegetarianism is not in my future. It has lots of advantages, but not for me. Bob
You are right about “one month” not being normal. The average of several months will give you a better idea of where your money goes but you have to start somewhere.
Some people just spend all they have every month and think keeping track will not help. WRONG. I find our grocery bill to be shocking high (no fat jokes, please).
Can’t imagine what Cheri sees in you, maybe she is after Homer!
Yes Sam, I love Homer but there are a few other things I love about Bob such as an abundance of solar electricity to charge my laptop and Kindle fire and the ability to fix things that need fixing and he cooks and washes dishes and —– GRIN — OK, I admit it, I really like Bob’s cute smile. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Sam, as always, you right on target! I hope keeping track of my expenses doesn’t embarrass me and I have to quit prematurely. I also wonder what Cheri sees in me, I can’t figure it out. You must be right, Homer is my much better half! Bob
cheap meal used to make when me and kids out camping: campfire stew..LOL
1lb hamburger, 1 large can raviolli, one large can baked beans.
cook burger first, drain, mix rest in. add bread or rice.
maybe not the most healthy, but everyone loved it and it fed 5 of us well.
you could do some other kind of meat, or use the can kind?
this just idea to help when having guests. one bring baked beans, one bring..and so on. like stone soup. *grin*
Have you seen any old boys in thier 70’s living in vans?
Was just dreaming, what if????
Hi David, you got me to thinking and I’m not sure I have ever seen a 70 year old man living in a van. I know several people that age living in RVs. I have an 87 year old female friend who takes long trips in a van, but doesn’t live in it. I know several females friends who are in their late 60s who live in a van, but they aren’t 70 yet. So The answer is no, I don’t know any 70 year old men who live in vans. I’m really surprised by that. Bob
See below, David. I’m 71.
You really need to settle your financial situation with your partner. Finances should have been the first thing you discussed when you got together. If you can’t afford to pay for her but you’re making it look that way, it will put her at a severe disadvantage in the long run by setting an expectation that you can’t live up to.
Thanks for your wise thoughts Majik, open, honest communications is the only good foundation for any relationship. We will have to explore that and see what it looks like. Bob
Hey, I’m 71, going on 50!
http://afarnsworthaday.wordpress.com/under-a-wandering-star/
I full-timed in Betsy from April 5, 2012, until she broke down in the Mohave Desert, and I returned to Taos around mid to late June. Betsy’s fixed, now, and I’m getting ready to pick her up and hit the road again.
http://afarnsworthaday.wordpress.com/2012/06/
Hi John glad you are here and to hear you are back on the road again. Age is just a state of mind, that’s how I get younger everyday!! Bob
I’m 62, just started with SSI, (800 per month), my VA check is 400 monthly, can anyone help me with weather this is enough to live on with the price of gas and all. I’been saving for a van and before I jump in I need to make sure I will have enough to survive. I love the desert, moutains and just about any solitude. Raised my kids then my grandkids, got it all done, time for me now. Would appreciate the help. This is a wonderfull site, thanks folks, hope to meet up some day. My email is urantia001@gmail.com I check it couple times a week. Mike.
Mike, everyone is different but I know probably 100 people (literally) who live on their vans with less per month (some people on half that) and live very well.
You should be able to live very comfortably on that.
Bob
Thank you Bob. My lease expired, I staying with my bother until I figure out what van I want. With all your experience, if you could get one today at todays prices what would you get? I have saved 8 thousand dollars, (took me 5 years) so any help would be appreciated. I’ve read most of your site over and I want an extended van with windows that open, and a Detroit locker rear axle, Really hard to find that option. Ford/Chevy/Dodge, has to last. Thanks Bob. Mike.
Mike, it’s really hard to tell you what to buy. The Detroit Locker is an aftermarket option so you aren’t going to find one with it, you will have to add it, figure around $1000 installed. Another problem is going to be most windows don’t open so finding that will be a problem.
You’re going to want an emergency fund so set aside $2000 just for emergencies and figure $1000 for the conversion and solar. I’d get a van that cost less $5000.
I guess I my first choice would be a 2003 or newer Chevy Express/Savanah with the 5.3 liter engine. If you can’t find that I would look for a 1996 or newer Dodge Maxi-Van with either a 318 or a 360 engine. If you can’t find that then a Ford with a 302 and finally a Ford with a 351 or Chevy with 350.
Try to get a 1996 or newer.
Bob