October Expenses

October was an interesting month from an expenses perspective for several reasons. 

Bottom line... we spent quite a lot of money! 

And it doesn't help that the Canadian dollar sucks right now, and the Mexican peso has been relatively strong. This means that anything we buy in Mexico is 9% more expensive than it was when we were here a year ago just due to foreign exchange. Plus add inflation on top of that.

Canadian dollar vs Mexican peso.

Our day to day living expenses came to about $3,600 CAD ($2,570 USD). 

But we also spent $2,623 CAD ($1,872 USD) furnishing and fixing up our house, and another $2,263 CAD ($1,615 USD) on the ATV and helmets.

Let's have a look at the breakdown of the living expenses first...(all figures in $CAD)

Fuel: Only $39. That was to top off the gas in the car we were using in Ottawa before we left on October 8th, and one fill up of our ATV. We haven't put any fuel in Igor yet, but that will change this month!

Groceries: Quite a lot higher than we expected, at $768. But Ruth stocked up on a lot of gluten free items that we brought with us, and of course when we arrived here we had to essentially start from scratch. But we do notice that grocery items are quite a bit more expensive this year, just like everywhere else in the world.

Meals out: We had two meals out in Ottawa before we left, so that adds up. And then a couple of market meals here since. Total came to $172.

Alcohol: I've been totally on the wagon since my health problems on September 19th. Ruth has been having the occasional drink on weekends. We spent a total of $25 on booze.

Miscellaneous: Higher than normal, at a total of $601. We treated the family to dinner out in Ottawa before we left at $257 (our portion is listed above under "meals out", but the balance is put here), internet and cellular at $142, Spanish lessons at $90, and the balance just small stuff.

Entertainment: We've been so busy fixing up the house that we really haven't made time for much else. We spent $4 on the entrance fees to La Peña.

Overnight: Our monthly rent on the house is around $533 CAD ($380 USD).

Motorhome: We spent $97 to have Igor's new shocks installed. There will be an insurance bill this month, so that will be included in Novembers expenses.

Travel: We took an Uber taxi to Ottawa airport at $41. Then we flew from Ottawa to Toronto, and Toronto to Mexico City at $573 each. We had to pay $97 to check the two big suitcases. Then an Uber from Mexico City airport to the bus terminal was $23. Then the bus to Valle de Bravo was $23 each. Total came to $1,355 CAD.

So, a total of about $3,600 CAD ($2,750 USD).

But then we also spent $2,623 CAD ($1,872 USD) on the house. Two televisions were $653, the spare bed and frame and accessories was $669, the washing machine was $500, and the deposit on the wood furniture was $756. And a couple of miscellaneous items. I am keeping track of all this because the idea is that this will all be recouped over the next few years renting out the spare room when we're here, and the whole house when we're not here. It will be nice to know when (or if!) we get to breakeven.

And $2,263 CAD ($1,615 USD) on the ATV and helmets. Of course this is a capital expense, so not included in our monthly budget. 

Our budget for November is a more reasonable $2,125 CAD ($1,516 USD).

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Great deal on this Anker 10000mAh Power Bank.

And in Canada...

Fantastic price drop on this Folding Collapsible Wagon.