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!
I’ll right away grasp your rss feed as I can’t in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or newsletter service.
Do you’ve any? Kindly permit me realize so that I may subscribe.
Thanks.
CBD for Anxiety and also Anxiety: Envision that it is possible to present one all-natural prep work right into your daily diet regimen, which could show to be the secret to winning the fight for a calmer life for people with depressive disorders. Suppose the inclusion of this prep work, created on the basis of a significantly well-known and checked chemical substance of plant beginning, is not just potentially extremely efficient, however is not associated with the risk of side effects typical of pharmacological drugs? Is it also possible? Where’s the catch? Do you want to know more? Read this article In this article we will cover: What is depression? THC distinctions Depression and the endocannabinoid system What is anxiety? Main interpretations recommend that depressive conditions, also known informally as clinical depression, are defined by: unexpected anxiety of a person’s state of mind, in the adverse direction, of modest to solid intensity of the intensity of the knowledgeable adjustments, for more than a few weeks. There may be several reasons for the occurrence of changes. It additionally happens that it is challenging to identify any type of unequivocal factor. We really often stumbled upon the statement that it is a people illness of the 21st century – it affects both older and more youthful individuals. Our education and learning is trivial for depression, not to mention our incomes – it can influence anyone. Therapy of anxiety comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy and psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and even more all-natural activities associated with the climax of exercise as well as the introduction of considerable adjustments in the daily diet. It is as part of all-natural methods of battling and counteracting depression that the incorporation of cannabis prep work with cannabinoids normally happening in the plant in the everyday diet is obtaining a growing number of popularity worldwide. Cannabidiol CBD, discovered in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, appears in many clinical researches as a potentially efficient cannabinoid in the treatment of clinical depression. Importantly, it is a 100 all-natural chemical compound of plant origin. Interestingly, anxiety is among the three most common mental disorders in which people resort to CBD hemp preparations such as CBD oil, full range hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Records from consumers and also their favorable point of views on the efficiency of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with all-natural CBD are growing at an unmatched rate. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The main cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and also CBD (cannabidiol). They show hostile results, which means that CBD reduces the effects of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an envigorating impact, creates a sensation of bliss, affects cognitive features, however additionally relaxes. Big, routinely eaten doses of THC are considered hazardous to the human mind. Too much usage of THC can lead to psychosis, absence of inspiration, and even irreversible adverse changes in cognitive function. Both THC as well as CBD impact the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their activity, as currently stated, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When creating pictures, CBD reduces the depletion of anandamide resources, as well as THC quicken this process. Nevertheless, this does not suggest that THC is just a harmful cannabinoid and should not be in the prep work at all. As a matter of fact. Its tiny presence in hemp preparations is also needed in order to obtain the so-called impact. synergy. THC completely range hemp oil is present in such a minimal as well as, significantly, legal quantity. This amount is so tiny (less than 0.2) that it does not create drunkenness. Collaborating, THC as well as CBD have higher possibility than either molecule acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its importance for people struggling with depression? Keep reading! CBD, Clinical depression and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a key system in charge of the guideline of fundamental human physiological processes, such as energy administration, neurohormonal and neuroimmune links, electric motor activity, mood and inspiration, and fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system consists of a neurotransmitter called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a neurotransmitter that is naturally generated in the human mind. Its manufacturing is stimulated by e.g. physical activity, as well as to a lower degree by the so-called deal with the body (massage therapy!). Its sources are “utilized” to keep the appropriate performance of the body, consisting of in the field of psychological health. As received this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are connected with a reduced threat of developing psychotic signs. A high degree of anandamide is additionally connected with a favorable result on the reduction of depression and also anxiousness symptoms. This device is still not totally recognized, yet it seems sensible that a strongly clinically depressed state of mind in a specific amount of time for a particular case, and also with the simultaneous lack of activities targeted at its renovation, causes a concentration of the increase of adverse thoughts. As depressive problems develop, they can develop into much more harmful kinds of disorders, e.g. psychosis, delusions or schizophrenia. Slowing down this process as rapidly as feasible might end up being critical in the efficient therapy of mental disorders of human performance.
Post writing is also a fun, if you know afterward you can write
otherwise it is complex to write.
These are truly impressive ideas in concerning blogging. You have
touched some pleasant things here. Any way keep up wrinting.
CBD for Anxiousness as well as Clinical Depression: Picture that it is feasible to introduce one all-natural prep work right into your daily diet plan, which might prove to be the secret to winning the defend a calmer life for people with depressive problems. What happens if the inclusion of this prep work, produced on the basis of a progressively well-known and also checked chemical compound of plant origin, is not only possibly extremely reliable, yet is not associated with the threat of side effects common of pharmacological drugs? Is it also possible? Where’s the catch? Do you would like to know more? Read this short article In this article we will cover: What is depression? THC and also CBD cannabinoids – differences Clinical depression and also the endocannabinoid system What is clinical depression? Official interpretations suggest that depressive problems, also understood informally as anxiety, are identified by: sudden depression of an individual’s mood, in the unfavorable instructions, of moderate to strong intensity of the strength of the skilled adjustments, for more than a couple of weeks. There might be one or more reasons for the occurrence of modifications. It additionally happens that it is difficult to recognize any kind of unequivocal reason. We extremely typically encountered the statement that it is a people disease of the 21st century – it impacts both older and more youthful people. Our education is not important for depression, let alone our profits – it can influence any individual. Treatment of anxiety comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy as well as psychoeducation, photo-therapy, electroconvulsive therapy as well as even more natural tasks related to the concentration of exercise and the introduction of considerable modifications in the everyday diet plan. It is as part of all-natural methods of combating as well as counteracting clinical depression that the inclusion of marijuana prep work with cannabinoids naturally happening in the plant in the daily diet plan is obtaining a growing number of appeal on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, located in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in various scientific studies as a possibly reliable cannabinoid in the therapy of anxiety. Notably, it is a 100 natural chemical substance of plant origin. Surprisingly, clinical depression is amongst the 3 most usual mental illness in which clients resort to CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, full spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Records from consumers as well as their favorable point of views on the efficiency of e.g. CBD oil or full spectrum hemp oil with all-natural CBD are growing at an unprecedented speed. THC and also CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The main cannabinoids in the marijuana plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) as well as CBD (cannabidiol). They show antagonistic results, which suggests that CBD lowers the results of THC. What are these results? THC has an intoxicating effect, creates a feeling of euphoria, affects cognitive functions, yet additionally loosens up. Huge, regularly consumed dosages of THC are taken into consideration dangerous to the human mind. Excessive consumption of THC can lead to psychosis, lack of inspiration, and also even irreversible unfavorable modifications in cognitive feature. Both THC as well as CBD influence the endocannabinoid system in the human body. Their activity, as already discussed, is contradictory. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When writing pictures, CBD decreases the exhaustion of anandamide sources, and THC speeds up this process. Nonetheless, this does not suggest that THC is just a harmful cannabinoid as well as should not be in the prep work in all. On the contrary. Its little presence in hemp preparations is also required in order to obtain the supposed result. harmony. THC in full range hemp oil is present in such a marginal and, notably, lawful amount. This amount is so tiny (less than 0.2) that it does not cause drunkenness. Interacting, THC as well as CBD have higher possibility than either molecule acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its significance for individuals dealing with clinical depression? Keep reading! CBD, Anxiety and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is a vital system in charge of the law of fundamental human physiological procedures, such as power administration, neurohormonal as well as neuroimmune connections, motor activity, mood as well as motivation, and fat metabolic rate. The endocannabinoid system consists of a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is naturally created in the human brain. Its manufacturing is promoted by e.g. exercise, as well as to a minimal degree by the so-called work with the body (massage therapy!). Its resources are “used” to maintain the correct performance of the body, including in the field of mental health and wellness. As received this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are connected with a lowered danger of creating psychotic signs. A high level of anandamide is likewise associated with a favorable impact on the decrease of clinical depression and also anxiousness signs. This system is still not completely recognized, but it seems rational that a strongly depressed state of mind in a specific time period for a particular case, and with the synchronised lack of actions aimed at its renovation, causes an aggravation of the influx of negative ideas. As depressive problems create, they can develop into even more unsafe kinds of disorders, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Decreasing this process as promptly as feasible may end up being critical in the reliable therapy of mental disorders of human functioning.