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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Main definitions suggest that depressive disorders, additionally understood informally as depression, are defined by: abrupt clinical depression of a person’s state of mind, in the adverse direction, of moderate to strong strength of the strength of the knowledgeable modifications, for greater than a few weeks. There might be one or more reasons for the occurrence of modifications. It additionally occurs that it is tough to determine any unequivocal reason. We very often found the declaration that it is a human being disease of the 21st century – it affects both older as well as younger individuals. Our education is trivial for anxiety, let alone our earnings – it can influence anybody. Treatment of clinical depression comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy and also psychoeducation, photo-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and even more all-natural activities connected to the aggravation of physical activity and also the intro of considerable adjustments in the daily diet regimen. It is as part of natural techniques of fighting and also counteracting depression that the incorporation of cannabis prep work with cannabinoids normally happening in the plant in the daily diet regimen is obtaining increasingly more appeal on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, discovered in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in numerous clinical research studies as a possibly effective cannabinoid in the therapy of depression. Importantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical compound of plant beginning. Surprisingly, clinical depression is amongst the three most common mental illness in which clients consider CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, full range hemp oil with CBD or CBD pills. Reports from customers and their positive point of views on the effectiveness of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with all-natural CBD are expanding at an extraordinary rate. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences The primary cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal antagonistic effects, which means that CBD minimizes the impacts of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an envigorating effect, causes a sensation of bliss, affects cognitive functions, yet also kicks back. Big, regularly eaten doses of THC are taken into consideration harmful to the human mind. Excessive usage of THC can lead to psychosis, absence of inspiration, and also long-term adverse modifications in cognitive feature. Both THC and CBD impact the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their action, as currently discussed, is contradictory. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing pictures, CBD decreases the deficiency of anandamide sources, and THC speeds up this process. However, this does not mean that THC is just a hazardous cannabinoid and should not be in the preparation in all. On the other hand. Its small presence in hemp prep work is also needed in order to acquire the so-called result. synergy. THC completely spectrum hemp oil exists in such a limited as well as, significantly, lawful amount. This quantity is so little (less than 0.2) that it does not cause intoxication. Collaborating, THC as well as CBD have better capacity than either molecule performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its value for individuals suffering from depression? Continue reading! CBD, Anxiety as well as the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a key system responsible for the guideline of standard human physical processes, such as power management, neurohormonal as well as neuroimmune links, electric motor activity, state of mind and also inspiration, and also fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system includes a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is normally produced in the human brain. Its manufacturing is stimulated by e.g. physical activity, as well as to a lesser extent by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage therapy!). Its resources are “utilized” to preserve the correct functioning of the body, including in the field of mental wellness. As shown in this research study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high degrees of anandamide are connected with a reduced risk of developing psychotic signs. A high level of anandamide is likewise associated with a positive effect on the decrease of depression and also anxiousness signs and symptoms. This device is still not fully recognized, but it seems sensible that a strongly clinically depressed mood in an individual time period for a specific instance, as well as with the synchronised absence of actions aimed at its improvement, leads to a rise of the influx of adverse thoughts. As depressive disorders develop, they can turn into a lot more dangerous types of disorders, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Reducing this procedure as swiftly as feasible might turn out to be important in the effective therapy of mental disorders of human performance.

    Reply
  4. CBD for Anxiety as well as Clinical Depression: Think of that it is feasible to present one natural preparation right into your everyday diet plan, which can verify to be the secret to winning the fight for a calmer life for people with depressive disorders. Suppose the incorporation of this preparation, produced on the basis of a significantly popular and tested chemical compound of plant origin, is not just possibly extremely effective, however is not associated with the danger of negative effects common of medicinal medications? Is it also feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you wish to know even more? Read this post In this write-up we will certainly cover: What is depression? THC distinctions Depression and the endocannabinoid system What is clinical depression? Official definitions recommend that depressive problems, also understood informally as depression, are defined by: sudden anxiety of an individual’s mood, in the adverse instructions, of modest to solid intensity of the strength of the skilled adjustments, for more than a couple of weeks. There might be one or more factors for the incident of adjustments. It additionally takes place that it is hard to determine any type of indisputable factor. We extremely usually found the statement that it is a civilization illness of the 21st century – it influences both older as well as younger individuals. Our education is trivial for depression, not to mention our profits – it can influence anybody. Treatment of anxiety comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy and psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy as well as more natural activities related to the accumulation of physical activity and also the introduction of substantial changes in the day-to-day diet regimen. It is as part of natural techniques of battling and combating anxiety that the addition of cannabis preparations with cannabinoids normally taking place in the plant in the day-to-day diet plan is gaining a growing number of appeal in the world. Cannabidiol CBD, found in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in various scientific research studies as a possibly efficient cannabinoid in the therapy of anxiety. Importantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical compound of plant origin. Interestingly, clinical depression is amongst the three most typical mental illness in which clients turn to CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, complete spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Reports from customers as well as their positive opinions on the performance of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are expanding at an extraordinary pace. THC as well as CBD cannabinoids – differences The primary cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They show antagonistic effects, which suggests that CBD decreases the effects of THC. What are these effects? THC has an envigorating impact, triggers a feeling of bliss, influences cognitive functions, yet additionally unwinds. Huge, consistently consumed dosages of THC are taken into consideration damaging to the human brain. Too much usage of THC can result in psychosis, absence of inspiration, as well as even irreversible negative changes in cognitive function. Both THC and CBD influence the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their action, as already mentioned, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing images, CBD decreases the depletion of anandamide sources, and THC quicken this procedure. However, this does not indicate that THC is only a hazardous cannabinoid and ought to not remain in the preparation at all. However. Its little presence in hemp preparations is also necessary in order to obtain the supposed effect. synergy. THC in full range hemp oil is present in such a marginal and also, importantly, lawful amount. This quantity is so little (less than 0.2) that it does not cause intoxication. Working together, THC and CBD have higher potential than either particle performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its relevance for people dealing with clinical depression? Continue reading! CBD, Clinical depression and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is an essential system in charge of the law of fundamental human physical processes, such as power management, neurohormonal and also neuroimmune connections, electric motor activity, state of mind 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 stimulated by e.g. exercise, and to a lower degree by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage therapy!). Its resources are “made use of” to maintain the proper performance of the body, consisting of in the field of mental health. As shown in this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are connected with a reduced risk of developing psychotic symptoms. A high level of anandamide is likewise associated with a favorable effect on the reduction of clinical depression as well as anxiousness symptoms. This mechanism is still not totally comprehended, however it appears rational that a strongly clinically depressed mood in a specific period for a certain instance, and with the simultaneous lack of actions targeted at its renovation, leads to an increase of the influx of adverse thoughts. As depressive disorders develop, they can become even more hazardous types of problems, e.g. psychosis, misconceptions or schizophrenia. Reducing this process as quickly as possible may become vital in the efficient therapy of mental disorders of human performance.

    Reply

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