Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Kuwait City, Kuwait on March 31st.

Sunday, September 1, 2013

August Expenses

Yeehaw! It's September, and that means we can say "We're outta here this month!" Not sure when, exactly. We were told at the beginning of the season that it would be between the 15th and the 30th. We're hoping it will be around the 20th.

August expenses came in exactly where we thought they would. A month ago, I had posted our July expenses at $1,052 and I predicted our August expenses would be about the same. August came in at $1,078.

Gasoline: We put $20.00 worth of fuel in the little blue car. Gas prices have come down a little bit here, currently paying $1.219 per litre (about U.S. $4.50 per gallon).

Groceries: We spent $473 on groceries in August. We're now at a 4 month average of $511 per month for our time here in central Saskatchewan. September should be quite a bit lower as we use up goods that we've got in the freezer.

Alcohol: Nope, no booze again in August. We're still boycotting the ridiculously high alcohol prices here in Canada. September will show some expense here as we will be traveling through the U.S. for a few days. Looking forward to buying a $17 five litre box of wine!

Miscellaneous: At $581, our highest this category has been for a while. That's because we paid for the $352 camera we bought in July. Also includes our $115 monthly internet bill and our $75 car insurance payment.

Some of you have questioned why our internet cost is so high. We only have one choice for internet and that is to connect via the nearby cell tower. So, we're on a cellular plan for our internet access. That plan is "stepped" whereby your monthly charge goes up depending on how much you use. And of course there are two of us using it because we each have a laptop. We don't limit ourselves, and have even downloaded the "Amazing Race" travel TV series that we like. We use between 12-15 GB per month, and with taxes that bill comes to $115.50 per month. It is our one "luxury" during our time here.

Entertainment: You could argue that our internet bill should go under this category. But historically, we have put any meals out, and any discretionary tours or things like going to a baseball game or a museum under this heading. So we'll keep it that way. Spent $3.78 on another half sub at Subway for a snack when I went into town one day.

Travel: We've been buying some airline tickets, and we expensed $314 in this category in July for our flight from Ottawa to Halifax in October. In August, we bought our tickets from New York City to Cancun, and Cancun to Guadalajara. But we don't pay for them until September, so that cost will be in September's travel column.

So, a total of $1,078 which is pretty much what we expected. September will be higher because of the airline tickets and we'll probably spend $250 or so in gasoline getting ourselves to Ottawa. Our budget shows around $1,300 for the month of September.

22 comments:

  1. You two are amazing on how inexpensively you live.

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  2. Was thinking of Kevin last week, for Donna's birthday I splurged and bought a 6 pack of Moosehead.$7.00.. Since Donna doesn't drink I got to drink it all myself. Had one for Kevin too. Sam & Donna...

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  3. What's happening with the contest for flower power?

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    1. We'll update you in tomorrow's blog post Juan Grande. Things are looking good though! :-)

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  4. Hi Kevin & Ruth

    Loved the update about August's expenses. So interesting.

    We are aiming for a really low Grocery total this month-any money left is going into the sealed pot towards our 2020 adventure in Africa.

    I've not been drinking alcohol much recently. The last time was in Scotland with my Mum-we took some homemade sloe gin with us and had a nip in the evening. We did buy baileys with ice one evening at the bar-but it cost us £6.70! So that was a one off! When I'm away I like to start the day with a clear head so I don't like to drink. Mr Sft does like to sample the local real ale so I may have a sip of his.

    The internet is our luxury too-so I don't worry about it.

    Regarding your last post: Loved the photos. We have so many too but may enter this competition. So thank you for mentioning it. Our camera is just a £250 digital so nothing flash but we have caught some amazing moments with it. As you say you've got to be in it to win it! :)

    I love the beautiful headers you have for your posts. Each day I go 'wow'.

    And finally....thank you for the post about the B-17. This has inspired us to visit an air museum about an hour away from us because they have that European airworthy B-17-the Sally B there! We are off in October and are very excited. Hoping to get in for free using some reward supermarket loyalty vouchers.

    Sft x

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  5. Sally B link here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_B

    Sft x

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  6. Looking good, I have a beer for you here.
    Thats why our budget is higher than yours,

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    1. One day I will take you up on that offer George!

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  7. Do you guys have any coverage for insurance on the motorhome while you are away? Just curious. I know it's parked in a safe place, but what about weather issues (heavy rains, etc).
    I'm not too familiar with the mexico system when it comes to insurance.
    Only a few more weeks, then we can see you travel again!
    Do you use air cards for your internet (i know, I could go back in your blog but I'm lazy...) and who do you use?
    Great photo on the header. Very inspiring. You guys do so well on your groceries. And from the photos of food, doesn't look like you are starving. Careful shopping is the way to go for sure!
    Have a great long weekend!

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    1. Nope, Sherman is currently sitting uninsured. I'm not a big believer in insurance, so we save money on that cost whenever possible.

      We have a "mi-fi" for our internet. Yes, this is exactly the same as an aircard, but it distributes a wi-fi signal so that both of us can connect at the same time. This one is through Bell, so we can use it anywhere in Canada and the price and plan don't change. It's also pay as you go, so we can cancel it before we leave for Africa.

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  8. You guys do an amazing job of keeping track of your expenses. Every first of the month your post dutifully reminds me to do the same, yet I always end up forgetting.

    This month I am going to redouble my effort! I have the right tool---a memo feature in my smartphone. I just have to remember to USE it.

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    1. We find it the best way to keep track of ourselves and to not overspend. It has just become a habit to us now.

      Good luck on yours, hope you end up doing it.

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  9. Internet is expensive in Canada compared to the USA even if in a more populated area. I think you have done very well and good on you for avoiding the high cost of Alcohol here in Canada (I drink BC cider at $10/litre to try and get around it but that is still expensive). Cheers - Can't wait to follow along in your travels this fall.

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    1. I think Canada has the most expensive internet in the world, if not then it is right up there near the top.

      Yep, $10 for cider is still expensive, it was much cheaper in England when we were there last summer.

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  10. Congratulations on another month's expenses well-done. You two are an inspiration for me. I'm working these days on really separating house expenses (with rental income) and RV full-timing expenses. I surely do find that I'm not tempted to eat out much when I can have great home-cooked and nutritious meals at 'home on wheels.'
    I'm still trying to figure out how you put a different photo on each day's blog.
    mp

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    1. I am sure you will do well with your expenses too Mary-Pat. We haven't figured out why so many people eat out so much when as you said you can make such good, nutritious meals for so much less.

      As for the header picture, you do it the same way that you got your first header picture on the page.

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  11. This guy is in Namibia right now after about a years illness. Travels the world by side car...

    http://www.thetimelessride.com/US/Blog.html

    Good luck on your adventure....
    Garry

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    1. Thanks Garry, we will have a look at this guy's blog, sounds very interesting.

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