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
-
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:
-
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!
-
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!
Hi there, this weekend is pleasant in favor of me, because this occasion i am reading this enormous
educational post here at my home.
Hey! Would you mind if I share your blog with my myspace group?
There’s a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content.
Please let me know. Many thanks
CBD for Stress And Anxiety as well as Clinical Depression: Demystified Imagine that it is feasible to introduce one all-natural preparation right into your daily diet regimen, which can prove to be the key to winning the fight for a calmer life for individuals with depressive problems. What if the incorporation of this preparation, produced on the basis of an increasingly popular as well as tested chemical compound of plant origin, is not just potentially very effective, but is not related to the danger of negative effects normal of pharmacological medications? Is it even feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you would like to know even more? Read this post In this post we will cover: What is anxiety? THC as well as CBD cannabinoids – differences Anxiety as well as the endocannabinoid system What is clinical depression? Official interpretations suggest that depressive problems, likewise known colloquially as clinical depression, are identified by: abrupt anxiety of an individual’s mood, in the unfavorable instructions, of modest to strong intensity of the intensity of the skilled adjustments, for more than a few weeks. There may be several reasons for the incident of modifications. It likewise occurs that it is hard to determine any type of unequivocal reason. We really usually encountered the statement that it is a world condition of the 21st century – it influences both older and also more youthful people. Our education and learning is not important for clinical depression, let alone our incomes – it can affect any individual. Therapy of depression comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and also psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy as well as more natural tasks connected to the concentration of physical activity and the introduction of significant modifications in the daily diet plan. It is as part of natural methods of dealing with and neutralizing anxiety that the addition of cannabis preparations with cannabinoids naturally taking place in the plant in the daily diet is getting an increasing number of appeal in the world. Cannabidiol CBD, located in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in many scientific researches as a possibly efficient cannabinoid in the treatment of clinical depression. Notably, it is a 100 all-natural chemical substance of plant origin. Surprisingly, clinical depression is among the 3 most usual mental illness in which individuals turn to CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, full spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Records from consumers as well as their positive viewpoints on the performance of e.g. CBD oil or complete range hemp oil with all-natural CBD are expanding at an unmatched speed. THC and CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The key cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). They show hostile effects, which suggests that CBD lowers the results of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an intoxicating result, creates a sensation of bliss, affects cognitive features, but additionally kicks back. Large, consistently consumed doses of THC are taken into consideration unsafe to the human mind. Extreme intake of THC can result in psychosis, absence of inspiration, and also irreversible adverse changes in cognitive feature. Both THC as well as CBD influence the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their activity, as currently mentioned, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When creating photos, CBD reduces the deficiency of anandamide sources, as well as THC quicken this procedure. However, this does not mean that THC is just a hazardous cannabinoid and should not be in the preparation at all. On the contrary. Its tiny presence in hemp prep work is also required in order to obtain the supposed result. harmony. THC in full range hemp oil is present in such a marginal and, significantly, lawful quantity. This quantity is so small (less than 0.2) that it does not trigger intoxication. Collaborating, THC as well as CBD have better potential than either molecule performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its relevance for individuals struggling with anxiety? Keep reading! 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 monitoring, neurohormonal and neuroimmune connections, electric motor task, mood and also inspiration, and also fat metabolism. The endocannabinoid system includes a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is normally created in the human mind. Its production is promoted by e.g. physical activity, and to a lower extent by the supposed deal with the body (massage therapy!). Its resources are “used” to keep the correct performance of the body, consisting of in the field of mental health and wellness. As shown in this research study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are associated with a reduced threat of establishing psychotic signs and symptoms. A high degree of anandamide is also connected with a favorable result on the decrease of depression and anxiousness signs and symptoms. This device is still not completely comprehended, yet it appears logical that a strongly depressed state of mind in a specific time period for a certain case, and with the simultaneous lack of activities aimed at its improvement, leads to a surge of the increase of unfavorable thoughts. As depressive conditions create, they can develop into much more unsafe types of conditions, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this process as quickly as feasible may end up being vital in the reliable therapy of mental disorders of human performance.
CBD for Stress And Anxiety and also Clinical Depression: Demystified Imagine that it is possible to introduce one natural prep work right into your daily diet, which could confirm to be the secret to winning the fight for a calmer life for people with depressive disorders. What if the incorporation of this preparation, developed on the basis of a significantly popular and also examined chemical compound of plant origin, is not only possibly extremely efficient, but is not connected with the risk of negative effects regular of medicinal medications? Is it also possible? Where’s the catch? Do you would like to know more? Read this write-up In this article we will certainly cover: What is depression? THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences Clinical depression and also the endocannabinoid system What is depression? Main definitions suggest that depressive disorders, also known informally as clinical depression, are identified by: sudden clinical depression of a person’s mood, in the adverse direction, of modest to strong strength of the intensity of the seasoned modifications, for greater than a couple of weeks. There may be several factors for the incident of modifications. It additionally occurs that it is tough to determine any kind of unquestionable reason. We really typically discovered the declaration that it is a people condition of the 21st century – it affects both older as well as more youthful individuals. Our education is trivial for clinical depression, let alone our earnings – it can influence anybody. Treatment of anxiety boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy as well as psychoeducation, photo-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and even more all-natural activities connected to the surge of exercise and also the introduction of significant modifications in the daily diet regimen. It is as part of all-natural techniques of dealing with and also neutralizing depression that the addition of marijuana preparations with cannabinoids normally occurring in the plant in the everyday diet regimen is getting a growing number of popularity worldwide. Cannabidiol CBD, found in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in various clinical studies as a possibly reliable cannabinoid in the therapy of depression. Significantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical substance of plant origin. Interestingly, anxiety is amongst the three most typical mental disorders in which people resort to CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, complete spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD pills. Reports from consumers as well as their favorable viewpoints on the performance of e.g. CBD oil or full spectrum hemp oil with all-natural CBD are expanding at an unmatched speed. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal antagonistic effects, which means that CBD decreases the impacts of THC. What are these results? THC has an envigorating impact, causes a feeling of bliss, impacts cognitive features, yet also loosens up. Big, consistently taken in doses of THC are taken into consideration damaging to the human brain. Excessive consumption of THC can cause psychosis, absence of motivation, and even permanent unfavorable modifications in cognitive function. Both THC and also CBD affect the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their action, as already mentioned, is contradictory. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When creating images, CBD slows down the depletion of anandamide resources, and also THC speeds up this procedure. Nevertheless, this does not suggest that THC is only a dangerous cannabinoid and ought to not be in the preparation in any way. On the contrary. Its small existence in hemp prep work is even needed in order to obtain the so-called result. harmony. THC completely range hemp oil is present in such a minimal as well as, significantly, legal amount. This amount is so little (less than 0.2) that it does not cause intoxication. Collaborating, THC and also CBD have better capacity than either molecule performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its significance for people suffering from clinical depression? Continue reading! CBD, Clinical depression and also the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is an essential system in charge of the law of fundamental human physiological procedures, such as power administration, neurohormonal as well as neuroimmune links, motor task, mood and also inspiration, and also fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system includes a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is naturally produced in the human mind. Its production is promoted by e.g. exercise, and also to a lesser level by the so-called deal with the body (massage!). Its resources are “utilized” to keep the appropriate performance of the body, consisting of in the field of psychological health and wellness. As shown in this research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high degrees of anandamide are associated with a lowered threat of creating psychotic signs and symptoms. A high level of anandamide is likewise related to a favorable result on the reduction of clinical depression and anxiety signs. This device is still not totally comprehended, but it appears logical that a strongly clinically depressed state of mind in a private amount of time for a specific case, and also with the simultaneous absence of activities aimed at its improvement, results in an accumulation of the increase of adverse ideas. As depressive conditions establish, they can turn into even more hazardous kinds of disorders, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Reducing this procedure as quickly as feasible may become essential in the effective therapy of mental disorders of human performance.
CBD for Stress And Anxiety as well as Anxiety: Visualize that it is feasible to present one natural prep work into your daily diet plan, which could confirm to be the trick to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive problems. What if the addition of this preparation, produced on the basis of an increasingly widely known and tested chemical substance of plant origin, is not only potentially extremely reliable, however is not connected with the danger of negative effects normal of medicinal medications? Is it also possible? Where’s the catch? Do you want to know even more? Read this post In this post we will cover: What is anxiety? THC distinctions Clinical depression as well as the endocannabinoid system What is anxiety? Official definitions recommend that depressive problems, likewise known colloquially as depression, are characterized by: unexpected depression of an individual’s state of mind, in the adverse direction, of modest to strong strength of the intensity of the seasoned changes, for more than a couple of weeks. There may be one or more factors for the incident of adjustments. It likewise takes place that it is difficult to recognize any type of unequivocal factor. We extremely commonly come across the statement that it is a world illness of the 21st century – it influences both older and more youthful individuals. Our education is not important for depression, not to mention our earnings – it can influence anybody. Treatment of depression boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy and psychoeducation, photo-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and also even more all-natural tasks associated with the increase of physical activity as well as the introduction of significant modifications in the everyday diet. It is as part of natural approaches of combating as well as neutralizing anxiety that the incorporation of marijuana preparations with cannabinoids normally happening in the plant in the everyday diet regimen is gaining increasingly more popularity on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, located in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in many scientific research studies as a possibly effective cannabinoid in the treatment of clinical depression. Significantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical substance of plant origin. Surprisingly, anxiety is among the 3 most common mental disorders in which people turn to CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, full range hemp oil with CBD or CBD pills. Records from consumers and their favorable viewpoints on the performance of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with all-natural CBD are expanding at an unmatched rate. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences The main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). They show hostile effects, which means that CBD minimizes the results of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an envigorating result, causes a feeling of bliss, influences cognitive features, but also kicks back. Big, regularly consumed dosages of THC are taken into consideration harmful to the human mind. Too much intake of THC can cause psychosis, absence of inspiration, and also even irreversible adverse adjustments in cognitive feature. Both THC as well as CBD influence the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their activity, as already discussed, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing images, CBD reduces the exhaustion of anandamide sources, and also THC accelerate this procedure. Nevertheless, this does not indicate that THC is only a damaging cannabinoid and also ought to not remain in the prep work in all. As a matter of fact. Its small presence in hemp prep work is also required in order to get the so-called impact. synergy. THC in full spectrum hemp oil is present in such a minimal and also, significantly, legal amount. This amount is so small (less than 0.2) that it does not trigger intoxication. Interacting, THC as well as CBD have better potential than either molecule acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its importance for people suffering from depression? Read on! CBD, Depression as well as the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a vital system responsible for the law of basic human physiological processes, such as energy management, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, electric motor activity, state of mind and also motivation, as well as fat metabolism. The endocannabinoid system consists of a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is naturally created in the human brain. Its production is promoted by e.g. physical activity, as well as to a minimal extent by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage!). Its sources are “made use of” to maintain the correct functioning of the body, including in the field of psychological health. As received this research study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are connected with a reduced danger of creating psychotic signs. A high level of anandamide is likewise related to a favorable result on the reduction of depression and anxiety signs. This system is still not fully comprehended, however it appears rational that a highly clinically depressed state of mind in a specific amount of time for a details situation, and with the synchronised absence of activities focused on its improvement, causes an aggravation of the increase of negative thoughts. As depressive conditions create, they can become much more harmful types of disorders, e.g. psychosis, misconceptions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this process as swiftly as feasible might turn out to be vital in the efficient treatment of mental illness of human functioning.