May Expenses... we knew it was going to be an expensive month

After all, we started the month in Oaxaca, Mexico and ended the month in Arkit, Kyrgyzstan!

We had a budget of $6,300 CAD ($4,635 USD) for the month. How did we do...?

Well we actually came in under budget. Not by much though. We spent $6,109 CAD ($4,424 USD) during the month of May.

Here's how it all broke down (the following figures are all in $CAD)...

Fuel: We spent $245 on fuel for Vladdy during the month. Gasoline is cheaper here than in many parts of the world, but Vladdy isn't very economical considering we've only driven 746 kms (463 miles). But considering the terrain we've been doing, I suppose that's to be expected!

Toll Roads: Only one so far, at a total of $1.58!

Groceries: Higher than expected, at $595, but that's partly due to the lower than expected month of April which was only $307. When we arrived back to the house in Mexico at the beginning of the month the fridge was empty. We have spent $238 since arriving in Kyrgyzstan May 19th.

Meals out: Lower than expected. We spent $150 eating out. Most of that was actually prior to arriving in Kyrgyzstan, and other than the meals we've had here at the guest house at the end of the month, we haven't eaten out in Kyrgyzstan.

Alcohol: Higher than expected, at $150 but that's because of all the wine we stocked up on when it was on sale. It's still waiting for us back at the house in Mexico.

Miscellaneous: At $751, much higher than normal. But almost $300 of that was new clothing and footwear. And we both got haircuts in May and we had Spanish lessons, and taxis and foreign exchange fees and it all just adds up!

Entertainment: Lower than expected, at $8.50 for the month! I guess we're easily entertained!

Overnight: This is where a big chunk of the budget went. Vladdy is costing us €90 a day, so we've taken that fee and split it between accommodation and travel. After all, he is our accommodation for most of our trip to Kyrgyzstan. But of course we also pay the rent for our house in Mexico, as well as several hotel rooms and guest houses along the way. Total of $1,638 CAD for the month. I guess when you think of what most people normally pay for accommodation, that's actually still quite good!

Travel: And of course this is where the other big chunk of the budget went. Oaxaca to Mexico City, the travel back and forth to Valle de Bravo, flights to Madrid, Istanbul, and Almaty, bus to Bishkek, and of course the rental car portion of Vladdy all adds up to a total of $2,447 CAD.

Motorhome: The storage, registration, and insurance for Igor back in Mexico costs $120 a month.

Anyhow, a costly month at $6,109 CAD ($4,424 USD). And June is going to be another expensive month as we continue our around the world trip into China after we are done with Kyrgyzstan. We have a budget of $6,477 CAD ($4,690 USD) for the month of June.

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