Table of Contents
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
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Wedding in Minnesota! -
Wedding in Minnesota! -
Wedding in Minnesota -
Grassy Knoll in Dallas -
JFK Memorial in Dallas -
Grassy Knoll in Dallas -
Magnolia in Waco! -
Magnolia in Waco! -
Magnolia in Waco! -
Hanging with our Nephew JP in Houston! -
Hanging with our Nephew JP in Houston!
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:
- We traveled much less than we thought we would while in MN and WI
- 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!
If you are interested in exploring Harvest Hosts, use this link for 15% off a membership:
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Bayou Teche – Harvest Hosts -
Everything is Beachy Here! -
Golden Acres Ranch – Harvest Hosts -
Buffalo National River
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!
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We Added a Sink to the Inside of the Van! -
Rooftop Deck after Construction -
Rooftop Deck after Construction
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!
CBD for Stress And Anxiety and also Anxiety: Visualize that it is feasible to present one all-natural preparation right into your daily diet regimen, which can show to be the secret to winning the defend a calmer life for individuals with depressive problems. Suppose the addition of this preparation, produced on the basis of a significantly widely known as well as evaluated chemical substance of plant origin, is not just potentially very reliable, but is not associated with the threat of side effects normal of medicinal medications? Is it even feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you wish to know even more? Read this write-up In this article we will certainly cover: What is clinical depression? THC distinctions Depression and also the endocannabinoid system What is depression? Main definitions recommend that depressive conditions, additionally known colloquially as depression, are defined by: sudden depression of a person’s state of mind, in the unfavorable direction, of moderate to solid intensity of the strength of the knowledgeable adjustments, for more than a couple of weeks. There might be several factors for the incident of adjustments. It also happens that it is hard to recognize any kind of absolute reason. We extremely usually stumbled upon the statement that it is a human being condition of the 21st century – it influences both older and also younger people. Our education is trivial for clinical depression, not to mention our revenues – it can influence any person. Treatment of anxiety boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy as well as psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and even more natural activities associated with the accumulation of physical activity and the introduction of significant changes in the day-to-day diet regimen. It is as part of natural approaches of battling and also neutralizing anxiety that the addition of marijuana preparations with cannabinoids normally happening in the plant in the day-to-day diet is getting an increasing number of appeal on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, found in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in various clinical researches as a potentially effective cannabinoid in the therapy of clinical depression. Significantly, it is a 100 natural chemical substance of plant origin. Remarkably, depression is among the 3 most typical mental disorders in which people resort to CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, complete spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Reports from consumers as well as their favorable point of views on the performance of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are expanding at an unmatched rate. THC and CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They show antagonistic impacts, which suggests that CBD minimizes the results of THC. What are these effects? THC has an intoxicating impact, causes a feeling of bliss, impacts cognitive features, however also relaxes. Huge, routinely taken in dosages of THC are taken into consideration unsafe to the human mind. Excessive usage of THC can lead to psychosis, lack of inspiration, as well as also permanent negative changes in cognitive function. Both THC and also CBD influence the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their action, as currently mentioned, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing pictures, CBD slows down the exhaustion of anandamide sources, and also THC quicken this process. Nonetheless, this does not mean that THC is just a damaging cannabinoid and ought to not remain in the prep work whatsoever. On the contrary. Its tiny visibility in hemp preparations is also needed in order to obtain the so-called result. harmony. THC completely spectrum hemp oil exists in such a limited and also, significantly, lawful amount. This amount is so small (less than 0.2) that it does not cause intoxication. Collaborating, THC as well as CBD have better possibility than either particle acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its value for people suffering from clinical depression? Keep reading! CBD, Depression and also the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a vital system responsible for the law of basic human physical processes, such as power administration, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, electric motor task, mood and motivation, and fat metabolism. The endocannabinoid system includes a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is naturally generated in the human brain. Its manufacturing is promoted by e.g. physical activity, as well as to a lesser extent by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage!). Its resources are “used” to maintain the correct functioning of the body, consisting of in the field of mental health. As received this research study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high degrees of anandamide are associated with a decreased threat of establishing psychotic signs. A high level of anandamide is likewise connected with a positive effect on the reduction of depression as well as anxiousness signs and symptoms. This device is still not totally comprehended, yet it seems sensible that a strongly depressed state of mind in a private amount of time for a specific case, and with the synchronised absence of activities aimed at its renovation, brings about a rise of the increase of unfavorable ideas. As depressive disorders establish, they can turn into much more harmful kinds of problems, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this procedure as swiftly as possible may turn out to be critical in the efficient treatment of mental disorders of human performance.
CBD for Stress And Anxiety and Depression: Think of that it is possible to present one natural preparation into your daily diet plan, which could confirm to be the secret to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive disorders. What happens if the incorporation of this preparation, produced on the basis of a significantly well-known and evaluated chemical compound of plant beginning, is not only potentially extremely effective, but is not associated with the risk of side effects typical of medicinal medicines? Is it even feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you wish to know more? Read this short article In this article we will cover: What is depression? THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences Clinical depression and the endocannabinoid system What is anxiety? Main meanings recommend that depressive conditions, likewise known colloquially as anxiety, are characterized by: sudden depression of an individual’s mood, in the negative instructions, of moderate to solid intensity of the strength of the seasoned modifications, for greater than a few weeks. There might be several factors for the event of changes. It additionally takes place that it is hard to recognize any type of unquestionable factor. We extremely commonly encountered the declaration that it is a world condition of the 21st century – it affects both older and younger individuals. Our education is trivial for clinical depression, not to mention our revenues – it can impact any person. Treatment of anxiety boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and also psychoeducation, photo-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and also even more natural tasks connected to the climax of exercise as well as the introduction of significant modifications in the daily diet plan. It is as part of natural techniques of dealing with and also combating clinical depression that the incorporation of cannabis prep work with cannabinoids normally taking place in the plant in the day-to-day diet plan is gaining increasingly more appeal on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, discovered in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in numerous clinical researches as a possibly efficient cannabinoid in the treatment of anxiety. Importantly, it is a 100 natural chemical substance of plant origin. Interestingly, anxiety is amongst the three most usual mental disorders in which patients consider CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, full range hemp oil with CBD or CBD pills. Reports from customers and also their positive opinions on the performance of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with all-natural CBD are expanding at an unmatched speed. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences The primary cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal hostile results, which indicates that CBD decreases the results of THC. What are these results? THC has an intoxicating effect, creates a sensation of ecstasy, impacts cognitive features, but additionally relaxes. Huge, frequently taken in dosages of THC are considered harmful to the human mind. Extreme intake of THC can result in psychosis, lack of inspiration, and also permanent unfavorable adjustments in cognitive function. Both THC and also CBD affect the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their action, as already stated, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When creating images, CBD reduces the depletion of anandamide sources, and THC accelerate this procedure. Nonetheless, this does not indicate that THC is only a hazardous cannabinoid and ought to not remain in the preparation in all. However. Its tiny existence in hemp prep work is also necessary in order to obtain the supposed effect. synergy. THC in full range hemp oil is present in such a limited and, notably, lawful amount. This quantity is so small (less than 0.2) that it does not cause drunkenness. Collaborating, THC and CBD have greater potential than either molecule performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its significance for people suffering from depression? Continue reading! CBD, Anxiety and also the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a crucial system in charge of the law of basic human physical procedures, such as power administration, neurohormonal and also neuroimmune links, motor activity, state of mind and motivation, and fat metabolism. The endocannabinoid system includes a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is normally created in the human brain. Its manufacturing is promoted by e.g. exercise, and also to a lesser extent by the supposed deal with the body (massage!). Its sources are “made use of” to maintain the proper functioning of the body, consisting of in the field of mental wellness. As displayed in this research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are connected with a lowered danger of creating psychotic signs. A high level of anandamide is additionally related to a positive impact on the reduction of depression as well as anxiousness symptoms. This mechanism is still not fully understood, but it appears logical that a highly clinically depressed mood in an individual period for a details case, as well as with the simultaneous lack of activities focused on its improvement, leads to a climax of the influx of unfavorable thoughts. As depressive problems create, they can become a lot more unsafe forms of conditions, e.g. psychosis, misconceptions or schizophrenia. Slowing down this process as swiftly as possible may become essential in the effective therapy of mental disorders of human functioning.
CBD for Stress And Anxiety as well as Anxiety: Visualize that it is feasible to present one natural prep work right into your day-to-day diet, which could verify to be the key to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive disorders. Suppose the incorporation of this preparation, produced on the basis of an increasingly popular and also evaluated chemical substance of plant beginning, is not just possibly really efficient, yet is not associated with the threat of side effects common of pharmacological drugs? Is it even feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you need to know more? Read this write-up In this short article we will certainly cover: What is anxiety? THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences Depression as well as the endocannabinoid system What is clinical depression? Official definitions suggest that depressive problems, likewise known informally as depression, are characterized by: sudden clinical depression of a person’s state of mind, in the adverse instructions, of modest to solid intensity of the strength of the knowledgeable modifications, for greater than a few weeks. There may be one or more factors for the incident of adjustments. It also happens that it is tough to identify any type of absolute reason. We extremely commonly encountered the statement that it is a people disease of the 21st century – it impacts both older and also younger people. Our education is trivial for clinical depression, not to mention our incomes – it can impact any person. Treatment of depression comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and more all-natural activities connected to the intensification of physical activity and the introduction of significant changes in the everyday diet. It is as part of natural techniques of fighting as well as counteracting depression that the incorporation of cannabis preparations with cannabinoids naturally taking place in the plant in the daily diet regimen is acquiring a growing number of appeal on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, found in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in many scientific research studies as a potentially reliable cannabinoid in the therapy of depression. Significantly, it is a 100 natural chemical compound of plant origin. Interestingly, anxiety is among the three most typical mental disorders in which people resort to CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, complete range hemp oil with CBD or CBD pills. Records from consumers and their favorable opinions on the efficiency of e.g. CBD oil or full spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are growing at an unmatched rate. THC and CBD cannabinoids – differences The main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal antagonistic effects, which means that CBD reduces the impacts of THC. What are these results? THC has an intoxicating impact, causes a sensation of euphoria, affects cognitive features, but also loosens up. Big, regularly taken in doses of THC are considered unsafe to the human mind. Extreme usage of THC can bring about psychosis, absence of inspiration, and also also permanent negative adjustments in cognitive function. Both THC as well as CBD affect the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their action, as currently stated, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing images, CBD reduces the deficiency of anandamide resources, as well as THC accelerate this process. Nevertheless, this does not imply that THC is just a harmful cannabinoid and ought to not be in the prep work in all. However. Its tiny existence in hemp preparations is also essential in order to get the so-called result. harmony. THC in full spectrum hemp oil is present in such a low and also, importantly, legal amount. This amount is so tiny (less than 0.2) that it does not cause drunkenness. Working together, THC as well as CBD have better capacity than either molecule acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its value for people suffering from anxiety? Keep reading! CBD, Clinical depression as well as the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a vital system responsible for the regulation of standard human physiological procedures, such as energy administration, neurohormonal and neuroimmune connections, motor activity, state of mind and 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 brain. Its production is promoted by e.g. exercise, as well as to a lesser level by the supposed collaborate with the body (massage!). Its resources are “utilized” to preserve the appropriate functioning of the body, including in the field of psychological health and wellness. As received this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are connected with a reduced threat of developing psychotic signs and symptoms. A high level of anandamide is also associated with a favorable result on the reduction of clinical depression and anxiety signs and symptoms. This mechanism is still not completely understood, yet it appears sensible that a strongly depressed mood in an individual period for a certain situation, and also with the synchronised absence of activities aimed at its renovation, results in an intensification of the influx of adverse ideas. As depressive problems create, they can develop into even more hazardous kinds of problems, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this procedure as swiftly as possible might become vital in the effective treatment of mental illness of human performance.
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