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!
Appreciation to my father who stated to me concerning this weblog,
this weblog is in fact remarkable.
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CBD for Anxiety as well as Depression: Visualize that it is feasible to present one natural prep work right into your day-to-day diet regimen, which could confirm to be the trick to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive disorders. What happens if the incorporation of this preparation, developed on the basis of a progressively widely known as well as checked chemical compound of plant beginning, is not only possibly very effective, yet is not associated with the danger of negative effects regular of medicinal medicines? Is it also feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you would like to know even more? Read this post In this write-up we will certainly cover: What is depression? THC distinctions Clinical depression as well as the endocannabinoid system What is clinical depression? Official meanings recommend that depressive disorders, also known informally as clinical depression, are defined by: unexpected anxiety of a person’s mood, in the negative instructions, of modest to strong strength of the strength of the experienced adjustments, for greater 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 identify any indisputable reason. We extremely usually encountered the statement that it is a human being condition of the 21st century – it impacts both older as well as more youthful people. Our education and learning is not important for depression, let alone our incomes – it can affect any individual. Therapy of depression boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy and also psychoeducation, photo-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and even more natural activities related to the intensification of exercise as well as the intro of substantial adjustments in the daily diet regimen. It is as part of natural approaches of dealing with and neutralizing anxiety that the inclusion of marijuana prep work with cannabinoids normally happening in the plant in the daily diet regimen is getting an increasing number of appeal worldwide. Cannabidiol CBD, located in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in countless scientific researches as a possibly reliable cannabinoid in the treatment of clinical depression. Notably, it is a 100 natural chemical substance of plant origin. Interestingly, anxiety is amongst the 3 most typical mental illness in which clients consider CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, full range hemp oil with CBD or CBD pills. Reports from customers as well as their favorable point of views on the efficiency 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 main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal antagonistic effects, which indicates that CBD minimizes the impacts of THC. What are these results? THC has an envigorating effect, creates a feeling of euphoria, influences cognitive functions, yet additionally unwinds. Large, routinely consumed doses of THC are taken into consideration hazardous to the human mind. Extreme intake of THC can cause psychosis, absence of inspiration, and also even irreversible unfavorable modifications in cognitive function. Both THC and CBD affect the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their activity, as already mentioned, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When writing photos, CBD decreases the depletion of anandamide sources, and also THC quicken this process. However, this does not imply that THC is just a damaging cannabinoid as well as must not remain in the prep work in all. On the other hand. Its little presence in hemp preparations is also essential in order to get the supposed effect. harmony. THC in full range hemp oil exists in such a low and, significantly, lawful amount. This amount is so tiny (less than 0.2) that it does not cause drunkenness. Collaborating, THC and CBD have higher potential than either molecule acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its relevance for individuals suffering from depression? Continue reading! CBD, Clinical depression and also the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a crucial system in charge of the regulation of basic human physical procedures, such as power management, neurohormonal and also neuroimmune links, electric motor task, state of mind as well as motivation, and fat metabolic process. The endocannabinoid system consists of a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is normally generated in the human brain. Its manufacturing is boosted by e.g. physical activity, as well as to a minimal degree by the so-called deal with the body (massage!). Its sources are “made use of” to maintain the appropriate performance of the body, including in the field of psychological health. As received this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are related to a decreased danger of developing psychotic signs and symptoms. A high level of anandamide is additionally connected with a positive effect on the decrease of anxiety as well as anxiousness signs and symptoms. This system is still not completely comprehended, however it appears sensible that a highly depressed state of mind in a specific amount of time for a specific case, and with the simultaneous absence of activities targeted at its improvement, causes an aggravation of the influx of unfavorable ideas. As depressive problems create, they can become much more unsafe forms of conditions, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this procedure as promptly as possible may become important in the effective therapy of mental disorders of human performance.