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 Anxiety as well as Clinical Depression: Envision that it is feasible to present one all-natural preparation into your daily diet regimen, which might prove to be the trick to winning the fight for a calmer life for people with depressive conditions. What happens if the inclusion of this prep work, created on the basis of a significantly well-known and also tested chemical substance of plant origin, is not just possibly very effective, yet is not associated with the risk of negative effects typical of medicinal drugs? Is it also possible? Where’s the catch? Do you want to know more? Read this post In this post we will cover: What is anxiety? THC distinctions Clinical depression and also the endocannabinoid system What is depression? Official interpretations suggest that depressive disorders, additionally understood colloquially as clinical depression, are defined by: sudden anxiety of an individual’s state of mind, in the negative direction, of moderate to solid intensity of the strength of the experienced changes, for greater than a couple of weeks. There might be several reasons for the occurrence of adjustments. It likewise occurs that it is difficult to identify any kind of unquestionable factor. We very frequently discovered the statement that it is a people disease of the 21st century – it affects both older and younger people. Our education and learning is not important for anxiety, not to mention our profits – it can influence any person. Therapy of depression boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and also psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy as well as more natural tasks related to the climax of physical activity and the introduction of significant modifications in the everyday diet plan. It is as part of natural techniques of dealing with and also counteracting anxiety that the incorporation of marijuana preparations with cannabinoids naturally occurring in the plant in the daily diet regimen is gaining a growing number of popularity in the world. Cannabidiol CBD, located in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in many clinical researches as a possibly reliable cannabinoid in the treatment of depression. Importantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical substance of plant beginning. Interestingly, depression is among the 3 most typical mental illness in which individuals turn to CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, full spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Records from customers and their positive opinions on the efficiency of e.g. CBD oil or full range hemp oil with natural CBD are expanding at an unprecedented rate. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences The key cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as well as CBD (cannabidiol). They show antagonistic results, which suggests that CBD decreases the impacts of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an intoxicating effect, causes a sensation of bliss, impacts cognitive features, yet also kicks back. Large, routinely consumed doses of THC are thought about unsafe to the human mind. Excessive usage of THC can result in psychosis, absence of inspiration, and also permanent adverse changes in cognitive function. Both THC and CBD affect the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their activity, as already pointed out, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing photos, CBD decreases the exhaustion of anandamide resources, and also THC speeds up this procedure. Nonetheless, this does not mean that THC is just an unsafe cannabinoid as well as needs to not be in the prep work in all. On the other hand. Its small visibility in hemp prep work is even essential in order to get the so-called effect. synergy. THC in full spectrum hemp oil exists in such a minimal as well as, significantly, lawful amount. This quantity is so small (less than 0.2) that it does not create intoxication. Collaborating, THC as well as CBD have better capacity than either molecule performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its importance for individuals dealing with anxiety? Continue reading! CBD, Clinical depression as well as the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is an essential system responsible for the regulation of basic human physiological processes, such as power administration, neurohormonal as well as neuroimmune connections, electric motor activity, mood and inspiration, as well as fat metabolism. The endocannabinoid system consists of a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is naturally created in the human brain. Its production is boosted by e.g. physical activity, and to a lower degree by the so-called deal with the body (massage!). Its resources are “used” to keep the proper performance of the body, consisting of in the field of psychological health and wellness. 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. A high level of anandamide is likewise connected with a positive effect on the decrease of anxiety as well as anxiousness symptoms. This mechanism is still not totally understood, however it seems rational that a highly clinically depressed state of mind in an individual period for a certain instance, and with the synchronised absence of actions aimed at its renovation, brings about a surge of the increase of negative ideas. As depressive disorders create, they can turn into even more hazardous forms of conditions, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Reducing this procedure as promptly as feasible might turn out to be vital in the efficient therapy of mental illness of human functioning.
CBD for Stress And Anxiety as well as Anxiety: Demystified Imagine that it is feasible to introduce one all-natural preparation right into your day-to-day diet regimen, which could prove to be the secret to winning the fight for a calmer life for people with depressive conditions. What happens if the addition of this preparation, developed on the basis of an increasingly popular and checked chemical substance of plant origin, is not just possibly really efficient, but is not associated with the danger of adverse effects regular of medicinal medicines? Is it also feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you wish to know more? Read this post In this write-up we will cover: What is clinical depression? THC distinctions Clinical depression as well as the endocannabinoid system What is clinical depression? Official interpretations recommend that depressive conditions, also understood colloquially as depression, are characterized by: abrupt anxiety of a person’s mood, in the adverse instructions, of modest to solid strength of the intensity of the skilled changes, for greater than a couple of weeks. There may be one or more factors for the incident of changes. It likewise takes place that it is hard to identify any indisputable reason. We very often encountered the statement that it is a human being illness of the 21st century – it affects both older as well as younger people. Our education is trivial for anxiety, let alone our earnings – it can influence any individual. Treatment of depression comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy as well as psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and even more all-natural activities connected to the concentration of exercise and the introduction of substantial modifications in the day-to-day diet regimen. It is as part of all-natural methods of fighting and also combating depression that the addition of cannabis prep work with cannabinoids naturally taking place in the plant in the everyday diet plan is getting more and more popularity on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, located in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in many clinical research studies as a possibly effective cannabinoid in the treatment of depression. Significantly, it is a 100 natural chemical substance of plant origin. Interestingly, depression is among the 3 most typical mental illness in which individuals resort to CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, complete spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Reports from consumers as well as their positive viewpoints on the performance of e.g. CBD oil or full range hemp oil with natural CBD are growing at an unmatched pace. THC and CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The primary cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as well as CBD (cannabidiol). They show antagonistic effects, which suggests that CBD lowers the results of THC. What are these results? THC has an envigorating impact, triggers a feeling of bliss, affects cognitive functions, however likewise kicks back. Large, on a regular basis eaten dosages of THC are considered harmful to the human mind. Excessive intake of THC can bring about psychosis, lack of motivation, as well as also permanent adverse changes in cognitive function. Both THC as well as CBD impact the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their activity, as currently mentioned, is contradictory. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When writing photos, CBD slows down the deficiency of anandamide resources, and also THC accelerate this process. Nonetheless, this does not suggest that THC is only a dangerous cannabinoid and also must not remain in the preparation at all. On the contrary. Its small existence in hemp prep work is also required in order to get the supposed result. harmony. THC completely range hemp oil exists in such a low and, significantly, legal quantity. This amount is so little (less than 0.2) that it does not create intoxication. Collaborating, THC and also CBD have greater potential than either particle performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its significance for individuals struggling with anxiety? Continue reading! CBD, Anxiety as well as the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is an essential system responsible for the law of fundamental human physical procedures, such as energy monitoring, neurohormonal as well as neuroimmune connections, motor activity, state of mind as well as inspiration, and also fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system includes a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is naturally created in the human mind. Its production is boosted by e.g. exercise, and to a lesser degree by the supposed work with the body (massage therapy!). Its sources are “made use of” to maintain the proper performance 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 reduced risk of establishing psychotic symptoms. A high degree of anandamide is also related to a favorable result on the reduction of clinical depression as well as stress and anxiety signs and symptoms. This mechanism is still not completely recognized, but it appears sensible that a strongly clinically depressed state of mind in an individual amount of time for a specific instance, and also with the simultaneous absence of activities aimed at its renovation, leads to an intensification of the influx of adverse thoughts. As depressive conditions establish, they can develop into even more hazardous kinds of problems, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Reducing this process as rapidly as possible might end up being essential in the reliable therapy of mental illness of human functioning.
CBD for Anxiousness and Clinical Depression: Picture that it is possible to introduce one natural preparation right into your everyday diet plan, which might prove to be the key to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive conditions. What if the addition of this preparation, produced on the basis of a progressively popular as well as examined chemical substance of plant origin, is not just possibly really effective, yet is not associated with the danger of adverse effects regular of medicinal drugs? Is it even possible? Where’s the catch? Do you need to know more? Read this short article In this write-up we will cover: What is anxiety? THC distinctions Clinical depression and also the endocannabinoid system What is clinical depression? Official meanings suggest that depressive disorders, also recognized informally as clinical depression, are characterized by: sudden clinical depression of an individual’s mood, in the unfavorable instructions, of moderate to solid intensity of the intensity of the seasoned changes, for more than a couple of weeks. There might be one or more reasons for the event of adjustments. It likewise occurs that it is challenging to identify any kind of unquestionable factor. We very often discovered the statement that it is a world condition of the 21st century – it affects both older and younger people. Our education is not important for anxiety, let alone our profits – it can affect anyone. Therapy of clinical depression boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and psychoeducation, photo-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and even more all-natural tasks connected to the surge of exercise and the introduction of significant modifications in the everyday diet. It is as part of all-natural methods of dealing with as well as neutralizing depression that the inclusion of cannabis prep work with cannabinoids naturally happening in the plant in the daily diet is obtaining more and more popularity on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, discovered in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in many scientific researches as a possibly efficient cannabinoid in the therapy of depression. Importantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical substance of plant beginning. Remarkably, depression is amongst the three most common mental disorders in which individuals turn to CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, complete range hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Reports from consumers and their positive viewpoints on the effectiveness of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are expanding at an unmatched speed. THC as well as CBD cannabinoids – differences The primary cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They show antagonistic impacts, which means that CBD minimizes the results of THC. What are these results? THC has an envigorating impact, causes a feeling of euphoria, affects cognitive functions, yet also loosens up. Big, routinely eaten doses of THC are thought about hazardous to the human mind. Extreme consumption of THC can bring about psychosis, lack of inspiration, and even irreversible adverse modifications in cognitive feature. Both THC and CBD impact the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their activity, as currently mentioned, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When writing images, CBD decreases the depletion of anandamide sources, and THC quicken this procedure. Nonetheless, this does not mean that THC is only a hazardous cannabinoid as well as must not remain in the prep work in any way. On the contrary. Its little visibility in hemp prep work is also required in order to obtain the supposed effect. harmony. THC in full range hemp oil exists in such a minimal and also, notably, legal amount. This quantity is so small (less than 0.2) that it does not cause drunkenness. Interacting, THC as well as CBD have better potential than either particle acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its relevance for people suffering from depression? Keep reading! CBD, Clinical depression and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a key system in charge of the policy of standard human physical procedures, such as energy management, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, electric motor activity, mood as well as motivation, and also fat metabolism. The endocannabinoid system consists of a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is normally created in the human brain. Its manufacturing is boosted by e.g. physical activity, and also to a minimal level by the supposed collaborate with the body (massage therapy!). Its resources are “utilized” to maintain the appropriate performance of the body, consisting of in the field of psychological health. As displayed in this research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are associated with a lowered risk of developing psychotic signs and symptoms. A high level of anandamide is additionally related to a positive result on the reduction of anxiety as well as stress and anxiety symptoms. This system is still not totally understood, yet it seems logical that a strongly clinically depressed state of mind in a specific period for a particular instance, and also with the synchronised absence of activities targeted at its renovation, brings about a climax of the influx of unfavorable ideas. As depressive disorders develop, they can develop into much more dangerous kinds of disorders, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this procedure as rapidly as feasible might become important in the reliable treatment of mental disorders of human performance.
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