Van Life Costs – March

Heading into our van life adventure at the beginning of 2019, one thing that we were hyper-focused on was our van life costs. We had some money saved from working full time, and did not have a ton of money coming in each month. What did that mean? It meant that the more we spent, the shorter our adventure would be! So we HAD to minimize costs, because we wanted to adventure as long as possible! We are going to give you a 100% transparent view into our expenses we had in our third month on the road. Here we go!

In March, we spent a TON of time with family! The whole month in fact. We started the month in Minnesota staying with Zach’s parents, took a Wisconsin trip to see Julie’s parents, and capped off the Midwestern excursion with a wedding in Stillwater, MN in mid-March!

We had an absolute BLAST seeing so much family and friends for the first time since we started our adventure! After the wedding (and Julie passing her nursing boards YAY!!) we took off from Minnesota heading South!

We stopped in Oklahoma City, Dallas, and Waco on our way towards Houston. We had so much fun seeing our new nephew JP in February that we had to go back in March to see him again! We stayed in Houston with our Texas family until the end of March, exploring everything we could while we were there.

Photos from Month 3’s Adventure

Our budget for March was smaller than our January and February budgets because we were spending so much time with Family. We knew we would probably have higher entertainment expenses, but fewer gas and grocery trips, so those expenses would probably be lower. Here’s what we came up with for the budget:

February Budget

Expense Budget
Gas $300
Groceries $100
Lodging $0
Auto Maintenance $100
Other / Entertainment $300
Total $800

Now, let’s see how we did!

Gas

Budget: $300 || Actual: $147.93

Exxon (1 fill up) $28.37
Super America (1) $38.78
Cenex (1) $40.89
Holiday (1) $32.11
Other (1) $7.78
Total $147.93

We did WAY better than expected on gas in March. That was mainly due to a few reasons:

  1. We traveled much less than we thought we would while in MN and WI
  2. We split gas by carpooling from MN back to Houston

On the trip from MN to Houston, we had the pleasure of riding with some of Zach’s family! It made the road trip SO fun, and also it helped because the gas cost for us was much much lower.

Our Gas Search Strategy

Once we were under 1/4 tank, Julie opens up Get Upside and Google Maps, and searches for gas places on our route in the next 50 miles. We’d find and stop at the cheapest one, whether it was 2 miles away or 48!

If you decide to download Get Upside, use code ‘2GZ28A’ for an extra $.15/gal cash back on your first gas purchase!

Groceries

Budget: $100  ||  Actual: $116.20

Wal Mart (2 times) $109.51
Gas Station Coffee (3) $8.86
Total $116.20

We were SO close on our grocery budget for March. Close enough that I’m going to give us the benefit of the doubt and say we basically hit our goal.

If only a few more things were on sale at the right time, we could have snuck in right under budget for March. Either way, se la vie, life goes on.

One of our Favorite Recipes

Lodging

Budget: $0  ||  Actual: $0

Living in our van at Harvest Hosts, National
Forests, and Wal Mart parking lots
$0
Total $0

Just like February, we hit our budget DEAD ON for lodging… ZERO! Nada! Zip!

To be honest, finding lodging has become one of the most fun portions of our adventure! Also, to be honest, it has gotten MUCH easier the further West we’ve traveled.

Out West, there is MUCH more public property (National Forests, Bureau of Land Management, Wildlife Areas, etc) that offer opportunities for free camping! What’s more? The land is BETTER!

We have found b-e-a-utiful places to spend the night almost each and every night!

https://ruhlsoftheroad.com/park-overnight-free/

If you are interested in exploring Harvest Hosts, use this link for 15% off a membership:

Click this Image for 15% off your Harvest Hosts Membership!

Auto Maintenance

Budget: $100  ||  Actual: $94.69

One oil change and general tune-up $94.69
Total $94.69

In March, Winnie continued to be an absolute CHAMPION on the road! Absolutely no issues to deal with except our regular oil change and tune up.

We try to stay ahead of schedule with these to keep Winnie in as tip top of shape as we can. So far our strategy seems to be working well! Knock on wood…

Other / Entertainment

Budget: $300  || Actual: $660.99

Drinking Out (7 times) $171.65
Eating Out (4) $60.31
Van Improvements $269.73
Subscriptions (Canva, Adobe, Spotify, Planet Fitness) $62.90
Other $96.40
Cash Expenses $0
Total $660.99

Once again we are over budget in our other/entertainment category! I guess you can say we cave in to peer pressure pretty easily.

Being back home with friends we found ourselves going out a lot more. How can you say no to a damn good time?? We have no idea!

Also while we were back in Minnesota, we made some van improvements. Our first two months on the road were a great test drive for what van-life would be like and we learned a ton!

For example, we learned having our kitchen pull out of the back was a huge pain, especially with our bikes on the back. Brushing your teeth/washing your face isn’t very fun using water bottles either.

Therefore, while we were home we rearranged some things in the van and put our kitchen with running water inside! We also added a deck to our roof, which has been by far our favorite improvement! We’ve loved reading, sunbathing, and star gazing on our roof all over the country.

Even though our van improvements took us over budget, they were totally worth it. Having running water in the van and a rooftop deck have been extreme life improvements for us!

Total

Expense Budget Actual
Gas $300 $147.93
Groceries $100 $16.20
Lodging $0 $0
Auto Maintenance $100 $94.69
Other / Entertainment $300 $660.99
Total $800 $1019.81

So close, but yet so far. Again and again, it is the other/entertainment category that absolutely CRUSHES us month after month.

We REALLY need to improve our self-control, but we just have so much rootin’ tootin’ FUN when we see friends and family! So sue us. Actually please don’t, we don’t have a lot of money, so you won’t win a lot anyways…

Month 4 Budget

Expense Budget
Gas $400
Groceries $300
Lodging $0
Auto Maintenance $100
Other / Entertainment $200
Total $1000

For April, we will be back on the road FULL TIME! That means our budget is back to what it was in February: $1000, broken down just as it is in the table above.

Will we hit it? Will April be the first time this year that we actually HIT our budget? You’ll have to check back to find out!

If you liked this article, use the below image to Pin it and save for later!

If you want to hear more about our budget, here is our budget and spending from February and January!

https://ruhlsoftheroad.com/van-life-costs-february/
https://ruhlsoftheroad.com/van-life-cost-month-1/

3,465 thoughts on “Van Life Costs – March”

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Official interpretations suggest that depressive disorders, likewise known colloquially as depression, are identified by: unexpected clinical depression of a person’s mood, in the adverse instructions, of moderate to solid strength of the intensity of the skilled adjustments, for more than a couple of weeks. There might be one or more reasons for the incident of changes. It additionally happens that it is hard to identify any type of indisputable reason. We extremely commonly stumbled upon the statement that it is a human being illness of the 21st century – it influences both older and also younger individuals. Our education is not important for clinical depression, let alone our earnings – it can affect any person. 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Records from customers and their positive point of views on the effectiveness of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are growing at an unprecedented rate. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The key cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal hostile impacts, which implies that CBD lowers the effects of THC. What are these effects? THC has an envigorating effect, causes a sensation of ecstasy, influences cognitive functions, but also relaxes. Big, regularly taken in doses of THC are taken into consideration harmful to the human brain. Excessive consumption of THC can cause psychosis, absence of motivation, and also also permanent adverse modifications in cognitive feature. Both THC and CBD affect the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their action, as currently stated, is contradictory. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing images, CBD slows down the exhaustion of anandamide sources, as well as THC speeds up this process. Nonetheless, this does not imply that THC is just a dangerous cannabinoid and also must not remain in the preparation in all. On the contrary. Its little visibility in hemp preparations is even needed in order to get the so-called result. harmony. THC in full range hemp oil exists in such a marginal as well as, significantly, lawful quantity. This quantity is so small (less than 0.2) that it does not create drunkenness. Working together, THC as well as CBD have higher potential than either particle acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its value for individuals dealing with anxiety? Continue reading! CBD, Depression and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a key system in charge of the policy of fundamental human physical procedures, such as power administration, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, electric motor task, mood as well as inspiration, and fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system includes a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is normally generated in the human mind. Its manufacturing is stimulated by e.g. exercise, and to a minimal degree by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage therapy!). Its sources are “utilized” to maintain the appropriate functioning of the body, consisting of in the field of psychological health. As displayed in this research study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high degrees of anandamide are connected with a lowered danger of establishing psychotic signs and symptoms. A high level of anandamide is also related to a positive result on the reduction of depression and also stress and anxiety signs. This mechanism is still not fully understood, however it appears rational that a highly depressed mood in an individual amount of time for a details case, and with the simultaneous lack of actions focused on its improvement, causes a climax of the influx of negative ideas. As depressive conditions develop, they can develop into a lot more harmful forms of disorders, e.g. psychosis, misconceptions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this procedure as rapidly as feasible may become vital in the effective therapy of mental disorders of human performance.

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  4. CBD for Stress And Anxiety and Depression: Visualize that it is possible to present one all-natural preparation right into your daily diet plan, which can show to be the key to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive problems. Suppose the inclusion of this preparation, produced on the basis of a progressively well-known as well as tested chemical substance of plant origin, is not just possibly very effective, yet is not associated with the risk of negative effects regular of pharmacological medications? Is it also feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you want to know more? Read this short article In this post we will cover: What is anxiety? THC distinctions Clinical depression and the endocannabinoid system What is depression? Main interpretations suggest that depressive problems, likewise known colloquially as clinical depression, are characterized by: abrupt depression of an individual’s mood, in the unfavorable direction, of moderate to strong strength of the intensity of the knowledgeable adjustments, for more than a few weeks. There may be one or more factors for the event of adjustments. It additionally takes place that it is difficult to determine any kind of unquestionable factor. We very typically discovered the statement that it is a people illness of the 21st century – it influences both older and younger individuals. Our education and learning is not important for depression, not to mention our revenues – it can influence anyone. Treatment of depression boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy and psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy as well as even more all-natural tasks related to the climax of exercise and the introduction of significant changes in the day-to-day diet. It is as part of all-natural methods of fighting and also combating anxiety that the addition of marijuana prep work with cannabinoids normally occurring in the plant in the everyday diet is getting an increasing number of appeal worldwide. Cannabidiol CBD, found in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in many clinical researches as a possibly effective cannabinoid in the therapy of clinical depression. Notably, it is a 100 all-natural chemical substance of plant origin. Remarkably, anxiety is among the 3 most typical mental illness in which people consider CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, full range hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Reports from consumers as well as their favorable point of views on the effectiveness of e.g. CBD oil or full spectrum hemp oil with all-natural CBD are expanding at an unprecedented pace. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences The key cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal antagonistic impacts, which indicates that CBD decreases the impacts of THC. What are these results? THC has an intoxicating impact, creates a sensation of bliss, influences cognitive functions, however additionally relaxes. Large, frequently consumed dosages of THC are taken into consideration dangerous to the human mind. Too much usage of THC can bring about psychosis, absence of motivation, as well as even permanent negative adjustments in cognitive feature. Both THC as well as CBD impact the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their action, as currently mentioned, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When creating pictures, CBD slows down the deficiency of anandamide resources, as well as THC quicken this process. Nonetheless, this does not indicate that THC is only a hazardous cannabinoid and needs to not remain in the prep work in all. However. Its little presence in hemp prep work is even needed in order to get the so-called result. synergy. THC completely spectrum hemp oil is present in such a marginal as well as, importantly, legal amount. This amount is so little (less than 0.2) that it does not trigger drunkenness. Interacting, THC and also CBD have greater capacity than either particle performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its value for individuals experiencing depression? Read on! CBD, Depression and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a vital system in charge of the regulation of fundamental human physiological processes, such as power management, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, electric motor activity, mood and motivation, and fat metabolic process. The endocannabinoid system includes a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is naturally created in the human brain. Its production is stimulated by e.g. physical activity, and to a lower extent by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage therapy!). Its sources are “utilized” to preserve the proper functioning of the body, consisting of in the field of psychological health. As received this research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high degrees of anandamide are related to a lowered threat of establishing psychotic symptoms. A high degree of anandamide is also related to a positive result on the decrease of clinical depression and also anxiety signs. This mechanism is still not completely comprehended, yet it appears sensible that a highly depressed mood in an individual amount of time for a details instance, and with the synchronised lack of activities targeted at its improvement, leads to a concentration of the increase of adverse thoughts. As depressive problems develop, they can turn into much more harmful forms of problems, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Slowing down this process as rapidly as feasible might turn out to be crucial in the effective therapy of mental illness of human functioning.

    Reply

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