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!
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If you want to hear more about our budget, here is our budget and spending from February and January!
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Main meanings suggest that depressive disorders, additionally recognized colloquially as depression, are defined by: abrupt clinical depression of an individual’s state of mind, in the unfavorable direction, of modest to solid strength of the intensity of the skilled modifications, for greater than a few weeks. There may be one or more factors for the occurrence of adjustments. It likewise takes place that it is challenging to recognize any indisputable reason. We very typically found the statement that it is a people disease of the 21st century – it influences both older as well as younger people. Our education and learning is not important for anxiety, let alone our profits – it can influence any person. Treatment of depression comes down to: pharmacotherapy, psychiatric therapy and psychoeducation, phototherapy, electroconvulsive therapy and also more natural tasks associated with the accumulation of exercise as well as the introduction of substantial modifications in the day-to-day diet regimen. It is as part of natural techniques of combating as well as combating anxiety that the inclusion of marijuana prep work with cannabinoids naturally happening in the plant in the daily diet is acquiring increasingly more appeal on the planet. Cannabidiol CBD, found in e.g. CBD oil or full-spectrum hemp oil, shows up in numerous clinical research studies as a potentially reliable cannabinoid in the therapy of anxiety. Notably, it is a 100 all-natural chemical substance of plant origin. Interestingly, depression is amongst the three most typical mental disorders in which clients consider CBD hemp prep work such as CBD oil, complete spectrum hemp oil with CBD or CBD capsules. Records from consumers as well as their favorable opinions on the performance of e.g. CBD oil or complete spectrum hemp oil with natural CBD are expanding at an unmatched pace. THC and CBD cannabinoids – distinctions The key cannabinoids in the cannabis plant are THC (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and CBD (cannabidiol). They reveal hostile impacts, which indicates that CBD decreases the effects of THC. What are these impacts? THC has an envigorating effect, causes a feeling of bliss, impacts cognitive features, but additionally unwinds. Large, routinely consumed doses of THC are considered dangerous to the human mind. Extreme intake of THC can cause psychosis, lack of inspiration, and also even irreversible adverse changes in cognitive feature. Both THC and also CBD impact the endocannabinoid system in the body. Their action, as currently mentioned, is inconsistent. Cbd-a-thc-in-the-endocannabinoid-1 system When composing images, CBD reduces the deficiency of anandamide sources, as well as THC quicken this process. However, this does not imply that THC is only a harmful cannabinoid and needs to not be in the prep work at all. However. Its tiny presence in hemp preparations is also needed in order to get the so-called effect. synergy. THC in full range hemp oil exists in such a marginal and, significantly, lawful quantity. This quantity is so small (less than 0.2) that it does not create drunkenness. Collaborating, THC and also CBD have greater capacity than either particle acting alone. What is anandamide (AEA)? What is its relevance for individuals experiencing depression? Read on! CBD, Depression and the endocannabinoid system The endocannabinoid system is an essential system responsible for the guideline of fundamental human physical processes, such as energy administration, neurohormonal as well as neuroimmune links, motor task, state of mind and inspiration, as well as fat metabolic process. The endocannabinoid system includes a natural chemical called anandamide (AEA). Anandamide is a natural chemical that is naturally produced in the human mind. Its manufacturing is boosted by e.g. physical activity, as well as to a lower level by the so-called collaborate with the body (massage!). Its resources are “made use of” to preserve the correct functioning of the body, including in the field of psychological health and wellness. As shown in this study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23580381 high levels of anandamide are related to a decreased threat of establishing psychotic symptoms. A high degree of anandamide is also related to a favorable effect on the reduction of clinical depression as well as anxiety signs and symptoms. This mechanism is still not completely understood, but it seems sensible that a strongly depressed mood in an individual time period for a details case, and also with the simultaneous absence of actions aimed at its improvement, results in an increase of the increase of unfavorable thoughts. As depressive disorders develop, they can become a lot more unsafe types of disorders, e.g. psychosis, deceptions or schizophrenia. Reducing this procedure as swiftly as feasible might turn out to be crucial in the effective therapy of mental disorders of human performance.
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