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 Depression: Envision that it is feasible to present one all-natural prep work into your daily diet, which might show to be the secret to winning the defend a calmer life for individuals with depressive disorders. What happens if the addition of this prep work, developed on the basis of a progressively widely known as well as evaluated chemical compound of plant beginning, is not only potentially very effective, but is not connected with the danger of negative effects regular of medicinal medications? Is it even possible? Where’s the catch? Do you would like to know more? Read this post In this write-up we will certainly cover: What is anxiety? THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences Depression and the endocannabinoid system What is depression? Official meanings recommend that depressive conditions, additionally recognized informally as clinical depression, are characterized by: abrupt clinical depression of a person’s state of mind, in the adverse direction, of modest to solid intensity of the strength of the experienced changes, for more than a couple of weeks. There might be one or more factors for the event of changes. It likewise happens that it is hard to determine any kind of unequivocal reason. We very typically come across the statement that it is a world illness of the 21st century – it impacts both older and younger people. Our education and learning is not important for depression, let alone our profits – it can affect anybody. Therapy of clinical depression boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and more natural activities related to the concentration of physical activity and the intro of substantial changes in the everyday diet plan. It is as part of natural techniques of dealing with and also neutralizing clinical depression that the incorporation of cannabis prep work with cannabinoids normally occurring in the plant in the everyday diet plan is obtaining a growing number of popularity worldwide. Cannabidiol CBD, located in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in many scientific studies as a possibly effective cannabinoid in the therapy of depression. Significantly, it is a 100 natural chemical substance of plant origin. Surprisingly, clinical depression is amongst the three most common mental illness in which people resort to CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, complete spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Records from customers and also their favorable opinions on the effectiveness of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are growing at an unprecedented rate. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences The primary cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal hostile impacts, which means that CBD lowers the impacts of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an envigorating effect, causes a sensation of euphoria, affects cognitive features, yet also unwinds. Huge, consistently consumed dosages of THC are thought about damaging to the human mind. Extreme usage of THC can result in psychosis, lack of inspiration, and also even long-term negative changes in cognitive function. Both THC as well as CBD impact the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their activity, as already discussed, is contradictory. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When creating pictures, CBD reduces the exhaustion of anandamide resources, and also THC speeds up this process. Nevertheless, this does not mean that THC is just a dangerous cannabinoid and ought to not remain in the prep work in all. On the contrary. Its small visibility in hemp prep work is also necessary in order to acquire the supposed effect. harmony. THC in full spectrum hemp oil exists in such a minimal and also, significantly, legal quantity. This quantity is so little (less than 0.2) that it does not trigger drunkenness. Working together, THC as well as CBD have better capacity than either molecule performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its relevance for people experiencing depression? Continue reading! CBD, Anxiety and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is an essential system in charge of the law of standard human physical processes, such as energy management, neurohormonal and also neuroimmune connections, motor task, mood and inspiration, 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 production is boosted by e.g. physical activity, as well as to a lower extent by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage!). Its sources are “used” to maintain the appropriate performance of the body, including in the field of psychological wellness. As received this research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high degrees of anandamide are associated with a reduced danger of creating psychotic signs. A high level of anandamide is likewise connected with a positive result on the decrease of clinical depression and anxiousness symptoms. This mechanism is still not fully recognized, yet it appears rational that a strongly depressed mood in an individual time period for a specific situation, and with the simultaneous lack of activities focused on its renovation, brings about an accumulation of the increase of negative thoughts. As depressive problems create, they can become even more unsafe kinds of conditions, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this process as swiftly as possible might become vital in the efficient treatment of mental illness of human performance.
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CBD for Anxiety and also Anxiety: Picture that it is feasible to present one natural prep work right into your everyday diet, which could confirm to be the secret to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive problems. Suppose the inclusion of this prep work, developed on the basis of an increasingly popular and evaluated chemical substance of plant origin, is not just possibly very reliable, but is not associated with the risk of side effects typical of pharmacological medications? Is it even feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you want to know more? Read this write-up In this article we will cover: What is depression? THC and CBD cannabinoids – differences Clinical depression and the endocannabinoid system What is depression? Official meanings recommend that depressive conditions, likewise understood colloquially as depression, are defined by: unexpected anxiety of a person’s mood, in the negative direction, of modest to strong strength of the strength of the knowledgeable changes, for more than a few weeks. There may be several reasons for the incident of modifications. It also happens that it is challenging to recognize any absolute reason. We very typically encountered the declaration that it is a world illness of the 21st century – it impacts both older and also more youthful people. Our education and learning is trivial for depression, let alone our incomes – it can affect anyone. Treatment of clinical depression comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy and also psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy as well as more all-natural tasks related to the surge of physical activity and also the introduction of considerable adjustments in the everyday diet. It is as part of all-natural techniques of combating as well as combating clinical depression that the inclusion of cannabis prep work with cannabinoids naturally taking place in the plant in the everyday diet regimen is getting more and more popularity in the world. Cannabidiol CBD, discovered in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in many scientific researches as a potentially effective cannabinoid in the treatment of clinical depression. Importantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical substance of plant origin. Interestingly, anxiety is amongst the three most common mental illness in which patients consider CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, complete spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD pills. Reports from customers as well as their favorable viewpoints on the efficiency of e.g. CBD oil or full spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are growing at an unmatched pace. THC and CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The key cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal hostile impacts, which indicates that CBD reduces the impacts of THC. What are these results? THC has an intoxicating effect, causes a sensation of euphoria, affects cognitive functions, yet also loosens up. Large, on a regular basis consumed doses of THC are considered harmful to the human mind. Too much usage of THC can lead to psychosis, lack of motivation, as well as even permanent adverse adjustments in cognitive feature. Both THC and also CBD influence the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their activity, as currently discussed, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing pictures, CBD decreases the depletion of anandamide resources, and also THC accelerate this process. Nevertheless, this does not mean that THC is only a dangerous cannabinoid and also should not be in the preparation at all. On the other hand. Its little visibility in hemp prep work is even essential in order to acquire the supposed impact. synergy. THC completely spectrum hemp oil exists in such a marginal and also, importantly, lawful quantity. This quantity is so little (less than 0.2) that it does not create drunkenness. Working together, THC and also CBD have greater capacity than either particle acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its importance for people experiencing anxiety? Continue reading! CBD, Anxiety as well as the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a crucial system responsible for the law of fundamental human physiological procedures, such as power administration, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, motor activity, mood as well as motivation, as well as fat metabolic process. The endocannabinoid system consists of a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is normally produced in the human mind. Its manufacturing is promoted by e.g. exercise, as well as to a minimal extent by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage!). Its resources are “made use of” to preserve the proper functioning of the body, consisting of in the field of psychological wellness. As received this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are associated with a reduced danger of creating psychotic signs and symptoms. A high level of anandamide is also associated with a positive impact on the decrease of depression and also anxiety symptoms. This mechanism is still not totally understood, but it seems rational that a strongly clinically depressed state of mind in a specific period for a specific situation, as well as with the synchronised lack of actions targeted at its renovation, leads to an intensification of the increase of negative thoughts. As depressive problems develop, they can become even more unsafe types of disorders, e.g. psychosis, misconceptions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this procedure as promptly as possible might become important in the reliable therapy of mental disorders of human performance.
CBD for Anxiety and Depression: Demystified Imagine that it is possible to present one natural preparation into your daily diet plan, which might prove to be the secret to winning the defend a calmer life for individuals with depressive disorders. What if the incorporation of this prep work, created on the basis of a progressively widely known as well as tested chemical compound of plant beginning, is not only potentially extremely reliable, but is not connected with the risk of negative effects common of medicinal drugs? Is it even possible? Where’s the catch? Do you would like to know more? Read this article In this write-up we will cover: What is depression? THC as well as CBD cannabinoids – differences Depression and the endocannabinoid system What is clinical depression? Official definitions suggest that depressive conditions, additionally recognized colloquially as anxiety, are defined by: sudden anxiety of an individual’s state of mind, in the negative direction, of modest to strong intensity of the strength of the knowledgeable changes, for greater than a couple of weeks. There might be one or more reasons for the incident of adjustments. It additionally takes place that it is hard to determine any type of absolute factor. We extremely frequently stumbled upon the statement that it is a people illness of the 21st century – it influences both older and younger individuals. Our education and learning is trivial for clinical depression, let alone our incomes – it can influence anybody. Therapy of anxiety comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and psychoeducation, photo-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and also even more natural tasks associated with the intensification of physical activity and also the intro of considerable adjustments in the day-to-day diet plan. It is as part of all-natural techniques of fighting and combating clinical depression that the incorporation of cannabis prep work with cannabinoids naturally taking place in the plant in the daily diet plan is acquiring an increasing number of appeal worldwide. Cannabidiol CBD, discovered in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in various clinical research studies as a potentially effective cannabinoid in the therapy of clinical depression. Significantly, it is a 100 natural chemical compound of plant beginning. Remarkably, depression is amongst the 3 most typical mental disorders in which patients 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 favorable opinions on the efficiency of e.g. CBD oil or complete 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) and CBD (cannabidiol). They show hostile effects, which implies that CBD decreases the impacts of THC. What are these effects? THC has an envigorating impact, creates a feeling of euphoria, influences cognitive features, yet also loosens up. Big, consistently consumed dosages of THC are taken into consideration unsafe to the human mind. Extreme usage of THC can lead to psychosis, absence of motivation, and even long-term negative changes in cognitive feature. Both THC as well as CBD influence the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their activity, as currently stated, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When writing images, CBD reduces the depletion of anandamide resources, as well as THC speeds up this procedure. Nonetheless, this does not indicate that THC is only a harmful cannabinoid as well as needs to not remain in the prep work in all. As a matter of fact. Its small existence in hemp preparations is even required in order to obtain the supposed effect. harmony. THC completely range hemp oil exists in such a limited as well as, importantly, lawful quantity. This quantity is so little (less than 0.2) that it does not trigger intoxication. Working together, THC as well as CBD have greater capacity than either molecule acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its significance for people struggling with anxiety? Keep reading! CBD, Anxiety as well as the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is an essential system responsible for the guideline of fundamental human physical processes, such as power administration, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, motor activity, mood and motivation, and fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system includes a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is naturally created in the human brain. Its manufacturing is stimulated by e.g. physical activity, and also to a lower extent by the supposed work with the body (massage!). Its resources are “utilized” to maintain the correct performance of the body, including in the field of mental wellness. As shown in this research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high degrees of anandamide are associated with a reduced danger of developing psychotic signs and symptoms. A high level of anandamide is likewise associated with a favorable impact on the decrease of clinical depression and anxiety signs. This mechanism is still not fully understood, but it appears sensible that a highly depressed state of mind in a private period for a particular case, and also with the synchronised lack of activities targeted at its renovation, leads to a surge of the influx of adverse ideas. As depressive problems establish, they can develop into much more hazardous kinds of problems, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Slowing down this process as quickly as possible may become crucial in the effective therapy of mental illness of human performance.
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