tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post7608409693301029657..comments2024-03-28T01:19:35.439-04:00Comments on Travel with Kevin and Ruth: 2018 Financial Year in ReviewKevin Readhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-16808862065697535282019-01-25T08:43:25.510-05:002019-01-25T08:43:25.510-05:00Our alcohol expenses are high because we have to b...Our alcohol expenses are high because we have to buy very expensive wine and beer in Canada. Hard liqour is even more expense so when we are in Canada we wouldn't even buy it!<br /><br />This was definitely the most money that we have ever spent in one year on repairs for Sherman but we also did a ton of driving last year, which also means lots of money for fuel and again we were in places where fuel is expensive. We will keep our fingers crossed that these categories will be much better this year. :-)<br /><br />We still plan on being on the road when we are in Australia. With any luck we will find and buy a campervan to travel around in for the three months and then when we are finished we will turn around and sell it. We are really looking forward to this upcoming adventure! :-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-58722275196099548632019-01-24T18:45:07.846-05:002019-01-24T18:45:07.846-05:00I totally understand! After spending ten years in ...I totally understand! After spending ten years in the tropics (by camper and sailboat), our bodies can't take the cold anymore. We've been back in the US for three years and can't find a comfortable (read "warm") enough place to spend the winters. Like you write, the 65F in San Diego doesn't do the trick for us either. Soon, we will try the Arizona desert for the rest of the winter. :-)Liesbethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13402741679152508367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-13219386521450247132019-01-24T18:42:18.556-05:002019-01-24T18:42:18.556-05:00And I thought our alcohol bill for 2018 was high. ...And I thought our alcohol bill for 2018 was high. :-) Understandably, the camper is the highest expense category, especially with older vehicles. And, your fuel category is extremely high as well, but that's the price we pay for doing the miles. I can't believe how much you both drove in 2018. Wow! <br /><br />It looks like you're ready for a little break from the road in 2019. Australia will be an incredible experience. I visited for three months backpacking, when I was in my twenties, as part of a bigger year-long trip, on which I also traveled in New Zealand. Going back to NZ a few years ago, however, was a shock in regards to how expensive everything had become. Hopefully Australia won't be that way! Enjoy!Liesbethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13402741679152508367noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-35325642084844833772019-01-17T07:43:31.625-05:002019-01-17T07:43:31.625-05:00Lol, we have thought of that but it wouldn't b...Lol, we have thought of that but it wouldn't be in under our expense report! :-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-20458978247095091412019-01-16T11:57:56.692-05:002019-01-16T11:57:56.692-05:00Good suggestion!Good suggestion!Elaine Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16070038707624961451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-21258560126444028982019-01-16T11:02:33.121-05:002019-01-16T11:02:33.121-05:00Good summary, but I think you need to add a catego...Good summary, but I think you need to add a category for miles (km) hiked. Creigh Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05267728698204033199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-53634091080194024012019-01-16T09:33:41.799-05:002019-01-16T09:33:41.799-05:00Yeah, I don't think we would want to spend eve...Yeah, I don't think we would want to spend even one winter in Alaska, but then we don't even want to spend another winter in Canada! A few weeks maybe but that would be it.<br /><br />Even some of the places we have been staying at here in Mexico are chilly by early evening and first thing in the morning but the daytime temperatures are pretty much perfect for us.<br /><br />We've been hearing that Arizona has been having a bit of a chilly winter this year!Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-23499482617201277262019-01-16T09:26:35.016-05:002019-01-16T09:26:35.016-05:00Lol, I wouldn't say fearless but we definitely...Lol, I wouldn't say fearless but we definitely have a great sense of adventure. If a rig is well maintained then you really shouldn't have anything to worry about, especially with a newer one like yours. :-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-44056436792289152012019-01-16T09:19:55.782-05:002019-01-16T09:19:55.782-05:00We think it is great value for the money as well, ...We think it is great value for the money as well, except for this past year being so expensive. Hopefully this year will be better. Glad you enjoy tagging along with us virtually. :-)Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-70089328282506222002019-01-16T09:18:29.186-05:002019-01-16T09:18:29.186-05:00Yes, we definitely love this type of lifestyle, it...Yes, we definitely love this type of lifestyle, it certainly does give us lots of freedom, especially for the price.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18136052866820208847noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-17413755216688783602019-01-16T08:25:31.538-05:002019-01-16T08:25:31.538-05:00My first 34 years of life were spent in Alaska, my...My first 34 years of life were spent in Alaska, my #1 goal in life is to never spend another Alaska winter. After moving to Arizona for 10 years, we then spent 18 years on a sailboat in the tropics. Now even 65° seems too cold. Mexico for the winter is a great plan. Myrl & Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17548993971891280980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-733567037146660942019-01-15T21:25:15.357-05:002019-01-15T21:25:15.357-05:00And here I worry about traveling in our 3 yr newer...And here I worry about traveling in our 3 yr newer Daybreak from IL to FL! You both are fearless! :)Shoeboxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10890550003121628262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-67872011927067196112019-01-15T20:02:40.537-05:002019-01-15T20:02:40.537-05:00Yep. The #1 goal in life is to never spend another...Yep. The #1 goal in life is to never spend another winter in Canada. We did most of the winter of 2009 in Kingston, Ontario but that was only because Ruth's mother passed away.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-57645097608597538112019-01-15T19:50:47.662-05:002019-01-15T19:50:47.662-05:00Maybe in Vancouver area but hard to find cheap cam...Maybe in Vancouver area but hard to find cheap camping. So you guys have always either gone to Mexico or parked it and went somewhere else in winter?<br />Vagabondgenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215780083780044505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-54083384138010665092019-01-15T18:22:51.904-05:002019-01-15T18:22:51.904-05:00We are never in the U.S. for much more than a mont...We are never in the U.S. for much more than a month or so per year. We do not believe that RVs are suitable for a Canadian winter, but that's just our opinion. Yes, we know that some people do it. Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-36337865587852207292019-01-15T18:18:17.381-05:002019-01-15T18:18:17.381-05:00Not even in the US? I find your frugalness very i...Not even in the US? I find your frugalness very impressive. I'm curious as a fellow Canadian if living full-time in an RV is doable in Canada year round and have you ever done it? My husband and I are considering it and have the Class C already. Or would we need to plan on snowbirding. Also, do you spend enough time in Sask for keeping the medical in good standing?<br />Vagabondgenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03215780083780044505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-19186139050338213872019-01-15T17:24:12.768-05:002019-01-15T17:24:12.768-05:00No, we don't purchase any extra medical covera...No, we don't purchase any extra medical coverage.Kevin Readhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05795747155781311686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-8502149198022451602019-01-15T16:46:33.412-05:002019-01-15T16:46:33.412-05:00All in all I think it is great value for the money...All in all I think it is great value for the money! And we all get to come along…Peter Kouwenhovenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10197113786491782884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-441967820273615162019-01-15T15:46:41.612-05:002019-01-15T15:46:41.612-05:00Your expenses are about the same as ours on an ave...Your expenses are about the same as ours on an average the last few years , we started at around $22,000 back in 2006 still a very reasonable lifestyle that gives us a lot of freedom.our awesome travelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13031755671050584629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7171307653508307040.post-84857919042089825822019-01-15T15:27:13.253-05:002019-01-15T15:27:13.253-05:00You still have done so amazingly well, the repairs...You still have done so amazingly well, the repairs to Sherman were necessary to have a safe trip to Mexico with your Caravan. The new caravan certainly seems to be going well. Darn liquor, I have started to make wine to alleviate some of our liquor costs (ours are considerably higher but I will be bringing a bottle of rum back from Mexico). Question - do you purchase any out of country medical over and above basic SK healthcare? Mainly for USA and Australia? I know Mexican costs are so reasonable that you normally don'tCheapchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158208632054014311noreply@blogger.com