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!
CBD for Anxiousness as well as Clinical Depression: Visualize that it is feasible to present one all-natural prep work right into your everyday diet, which can show to be the trick to winning the fight for a calmer life for people with depressive conditions. Suppose the inclusion of this prep work, produced on the basis of an increasingly popular and also evaluated chemical compound of plant origin, is not only possibly very reliable, yet is not connected with the risk of negative effects regular of medicinal drugs? Is it even feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you wish to know more? Read this article In this post we will certainly cover: What is clinical depression? THC as well as CBD cannabinoids – differences Anxiety and the endocannabinoid system What is anxiety? Official definitions recommend that depressive problems, additionally known informally as anxiety, are characterized by: sudden depression of an individual’s state of mind, in the negative instructions, of moderate to solid intensity of the strength of the knowledgeable adjustments, for greater than a couple of weeks. There might be several factors for the occurrence of modifications. It additionally occurs that it is hard to recognize any kind of indisputable reason. We very usually encountered the statement that it is a human being illness of the 21st century – it influences both older as well as younger people. Our education is trivial for depression, not to mention our profits – it can affect anybody. Treatment of depression boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy as well as psychoeducation, photo-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy and also even more all-natural activities connected to the intensification of exercise as well as the intro of significant modifications in the day-to-day diet regimen. It is as part of natural techniques of battling as well as combating clinical depression that the addition of cannabis preparations with cannabinoids normally happening in the plant in the day-to-day diet is obtaining more and more appeal worldwide. Cannabidiol CBD, found in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in many clinical studies as a possibly reliable cannabinoid in the therapy of anxiety. Significantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical compound of plant beginning. Remarkably, anxiety is among the three most typical mental disorders in which individuals consider CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, full range hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Records from consumers and their positive viewpoints on the effectiveness of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with all-natural CBD are expanding at an unprecedented rate. THC as well as CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The primary cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as well as CBD (cannabidiol). They show hostile results, which indicates that CBD lowers the effects of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an envigorating result, triggers a feeling of euphoria, influences cognitive features, however likewise relaxes. Big, on a regular basis taken in dosages of THC are taken into consideration hazardous to the human brain. Extreme consumption of THC can bring about psychosis, lack of inspiration, and even permanent adverse adjustments in cognitive function. Both THC and also CBD influence the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their activity, as already pointed out, is contradictory. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When writing images, CBD decreases the depletion of anandamide resources, and also THC quicken this process. Nonetheless, this does not mean that THC is just an unsafe cannabinoid and also needs to not remain in the prep work in all. On the contrary. Its little presence in hemp preparations is even required in order to get the so-called impact. harmony. THC completely range hemp oil exists in such a low as well as, notably, lawful quantity. This quantity is so tiny (less than 0.2) that it does not cause intoxication. Working together, THC and CBD have higher capacity than either molecule acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its significance for individuals struggling with anxiety? Keep reading! CBD, Anxiety and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a key system responsible for the regulation of basic human physical procedures, such as energy administration, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, motor task, mood and also motivation, as well as fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system includes 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. exercise, as well as to a lesser level by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage therapy!). Its resources are “used” to maintain the proper performance of the body, including in the field of mental health. As displayed in this research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high degrees of anandamide are related to a lowered danger of developing psychotic symptoms. A high level of anandamide is also associated with a favorable impact on the decrease of anxiety as well as anxiousness symptoms. This system is still not completely comprehended, yet it seems logical that a highly clinically depressed mood in a specific time period for a details instance, and with the simultaneous lack of activities focused on its renovation, brings about an aggravation of the influx of adverse ideas. As depressive conditions establish, they can develop into even more dangerous forms of disorders, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Reducing this process as rapidly as possible may become crucial in the efficient therapy of mental disorders of human functioning.
I don’t even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was good.
I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you
are not already 😉 Cheers!
CBD for Stress And Anxiety as well as Clinical Depression: Envision that it is possible to present one natural preparation into your day-to-day diet plan, which could show to be the secret to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive disorders. Suppose the incorporation of this preparation, created on the basis of a significantly well-known and tested chemical substance of plant beginning, is not only potentially extremely efficient, however is not associated with the risk of side effects typical of medicinal drugs? Is it also possible? Where’s the catch? Do you would like to know even more? Read this article In this short article we will cover: What is depression? THC as well as CBD cannabinoids – differences Clinical depression as well as the endocannabinoid system What is anxiety? Main definitions suggest that depressive problems, additionally understood informally as clinical depression, are characterized by: abrupt clinical depression of a person’s state of mind, in the unfavorable instructions, of modest to strong strength of the strength of the knowledgeable modifications, for more than a few weeks. There might be several reasons for the event of changes. It likewise happens that it is difficult to recognize any kind of unequivocal reason. We extremely often stumbled upon the statement that it is a people illness of the 21st century – it influences both older and more youthful people. Our education is not important for clinical depression, let alone our profits – it can impact any individual. Treatment of clinical depression comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy as well as even more natural tasks connected to the climax of physical activity and the intro of considerable modifications in the everyday diet plan. It is as part of all-natural methods of dealing with as well as counteracting anxiety that the incorporation of cannabis preparations with cannabinoids normally occurring in the plant in the daily diet is obtaining a growing number of popularity in the world. Cannabidiol CBD, found in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in many clinical research studies as a potentially effective cannabinoid in the treatment of anxiety. Importantly, it is a 100 natural chemical substance of plant origin. Remarkably, clinical depression is amongst the 3 most usual mental illness in which clients consider CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, full range hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Records from customers and also their favorable point of views on the effectiveness of e.g. CBD oil or full spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are expanding at an extraordinary pace. 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 suggests that CBD reduces the results of THC. What are these results? THC has an intoxicating result, triggers a sensation of ecstasy, influences cognitive functions, however also loosens up. Big, consistently consumed doses of THC are thought about dangerous to the human brain. Excessive usage of THC can result in psychosis, absence of motivation, and even long-term unfavorable changes in cognitive function. Both THC as well as CBD affect the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their activity, as currently pointed out, is contradictory. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When creating images, CBD slows down the exhaustion of anandamide sources, as well as THC accelerate this process. However, this does not imply that THC is just a harmful cannabinoid and also must not remain in the prep work in all. As a matter of fact. Its small visibility in hemp preparations is even essential in order to obtain the supposed result. harmony. THC in full spectrum hemp oil is present in such a marginal as well as, significantly, legal amount. This quantity is so tiny (less than 0.2) that it does not create drunkenness. Working together, THC as well as CBD have higher capacity than either molecule performing alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its importance for individuals struggling with clinical depression? Read on! CBD, Depression and also the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a crucial system in charge of the guideline of standard human physiological procedures, such as power monitoring, neurohormonal as well as neuroimmune links, electric motor task, state of mind and also inspiration, as well as fat metabolic process. The endocannabinoid system consists of a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is naturally created in the human mind. Its manufacturing is boosted by e.g. physical activity, and also to a minimal degree by the supposed collaborate with the body (massage!). Its resources are “used” to maintain the proper functioning of the body, including in the field of psychological wellness. As shown in this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high degrees of anandamide are related to a lowered danger of establishing psychotic signs and symptoms. A high degree of anandamide is additionally connected with a favorable impact on the decrease of clinical depression and also anxiousness symptoms. This mechanism is still not completely recognized, however it seems logical that a highly depressed mood in an individual time period for a details situation, as well as with the synchronised absence of activities aimed at its renovation, causes a rise of the increase of negative ideas. As depressive problems establish, they can become much more unsafe types of problems, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Reducing this procedure as swiftly as possible might turn out to be important in the reliable treatment of mental disorders of human functioning.
My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different web address and
thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m
following you. Look forward to looking into your web page again.
CBD for Anxiety and also Depression: Demystified Imagine that it is possible to introduce one natural prep work into your daily diet, which can prove to be the trick to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive disorders. What if the incorporation of this preparation, produced on the basis of an increasingly widely known and also evaluated chemical substance of plant origin, is not only potentially very effective, but is not related to the risk of negative effects normal of medicinal medications? Is it even feasible? Where’s the catch? Do you want to know more? Read this post In this article we will certainly cover: What is anxiety? THC distinctions Depression as well as the endocannabinoid system What is anxiety? Main interpretations suggest that depressive conditions, additionally understood colloquially as depression, are identified by: unexpected clinical depression of a person’s state of mind, in the unfavorable instructions, of moderate to strong strength of the intensity of the seasoned changes, for more than a couple of weeks. There might be several reasons for the event of modifications. It additionally occurs that it is hard to recognize any type of absolute factor. We extremely typically encountered the statement that it is a civilization condition of the 21st century – it impacts both older as well as younger people. Our education is trivial for depression, not to mention our profits – it can impact anybody. Therapy of depression boils down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy as well as psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy as well as more natural tasks associated with the intensification of exercise and the introduction of considerable modifications in the daily diet plan. It is as part of all-natural methods of dealing with as well as neutralizing clinical depression that the incorporation of cannabis prep work with cannabinoids normally happening in the plant in the daily diet is obtaining more and more appeal in the world. Cannabidiol CBD, discovered in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in various scientific studies as a potentially reliable cannabinoid in the therapy of clinical depression. Importantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical substance of plant beginning. Interestingly, anxiety is among the three most typical mental disorders in which individuals turn to CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, complete spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Reports from consumers and also their positive viewpoints on the efficiency of e.g. CBD oil or complete range hemp oil with natural CBD are growing at an unprecedented rate. THC as well as CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The main cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal antagonistic impacts, which means that CBD decreases the results of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an envigorating result, creates a sensation of ecstasy, impacts cognitive functions, yet also relaxes. Huge, on a regular basis eaten dosages of THC are thought about harmful to the human brain. Too much intake of THC can lead to psychosis, lack of motivation, and also also long-term negative adjustments in cognitive function. Both THC and CBD influence the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their activity, as already pointed out, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When writing photos, CBD slows down the depletion of anandamide sources, as well as THC quicken this process. Nevertheless, this does not indicate that THC is only a hazardous cannabinoid as well as ought to not remain in the preparation in all. On the contrary. Its little visibility in hemp prep work is even required in order to obtain the so-called effect. synergy. THC in full range hemp oil exists in such a low and, notably, legal amount. This amount is so little (less than 0.2) that it does not trigger intoxication. Interacting, THC and CBD have greater possibility than either molecule acting 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 a key system responsible for the law of standard human physiological procedures, such as power management, neurohormonal and neuroimmune connections, electric motor task, state of mind and also motivation, as well as fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system includes a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is normally produced in the human brain. Its production is stimulated by e.g. exercise, as well as to a lower degree by the supposed collaborate with the body (massage!). Its resources are “utilized” to maintain the correct performance of the body, including in the field of psychological health. As shown in this research: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are associated with a lowered danger of developing psychotic symptoms. A high level of anandamide is additionally related to a positive result on the decrease of depression and also anxiety symptoms. This mechanism is still not completely recognized, however it seems rational that a highly depressed state of mind in a specific amount of time for a details instance, and with the synchronised lack of activities targeted at its renovation, results in an increase of the increase of unfavorable ideas. As depressive disorders develop, they can become a lot more hazardous forms of problems, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Reducing this procedure as promptly as possible might turn out to be vital in the reliable therapy of mental illness of human performance.