Today is payday so it is time to figure out my budget for the next 30 days. After two weeks I have some idea of what is realistic for me, especially for food and restaurants. I decided that I really love eating breakfast out every few days. Besides the hot food and good coffee, I love having an electrical outlet and Internet. Lunch and dinner menus don’t offer much that I want to eat, but breakfast is always good at a small cafe or diner. So, I learned that the budget needs to include breakfasts out but that reduces the food budget since breakfast is now my main meal. The only other food that I need on “breakfast out” days is yogurt, veggies, fruit, and a good soup, potato concoction or pasta dish with cheese.
After careful consideration and calculation, for food and restaurants, I use a per diem of $13/day, which works great. Breakfast and tip today is $8.50, leaving $4.50. However, I picked up a few groceries yesterday, so that extra $4.50 will roll into tomorrow’s per diem. Most likely, I will eat cereal or oatmeal for breakfast that day and buy a few more groceries – I don’t have the space or a cooler to buy anything more than a few days worth anyway. I really love going to town to explore, eat, shop, and hang out at the library. It is a good routine.
The budget also includes $50 per month for basics like coffee and dog food. I have a line item for lodging and camping fees. The $200 there may not seem like much, but keep in mind that I expect to stay in a motel only a few times a month, and I will go cheap. For example, the night before I get on the ferry I will stay at a pet-friendly hostel in Prince Rupert. The cost is $50, including tax, for a private room, shared bath, and group kitchen.
Here is my complete travel budget:
Per Diem ($13/day) = $364
Monthly food and dog food supplies = $50
Misc provisions (propane canisters, etc) = $50
Gas = $200
Lodging and camping fees = $200
Sub total = $ 1064
Additionally, I set aside $200/month for the ferry. My phone is $86, Meds $15 and various insurances cost $150
Subtotal for fixed expenses = $450
Grand total = approx $1350 to travel, including basic fixed monthly expenses.
Other Thoughts: I bought $50 in quarters before I left to use for laundry. I will need more quarters later on. Also, I previously purchased clothing and gear so don’t expect any needs in those categories. I have absolutely zero in the budget for souvenirs, gifts, or other impulse items. I don’t have storage for anything, either now or later! Besides, no one really likes travel gifts anyway! Normally I would have an amount budgeted for books but I have my own and Mom’s extensive Audible and Kindle libraries with enough material for years of travel or more!
About insurance: I pay $45/month for med evac insurance, which I consider a necessity considering the type of travel I do!
This is great because that total is less than my monthly income, and I do not need to use any other money to live quite comfortably. If I “live” in Alaska 3 months, the total cost is about $4000. For 5 months, the total cost would be $5350 and so on. Not bad for total living expenses these days.
Creative traveling while using just my monthly income is what I love to do. I have always traveled in the RV that way, but my new goal is to figure out other ways to travel on the cheap. For example, if I stay in one place and don’t need the $200 gas money, I can add that to the monthly lodging cost, for a total of $400. A friend of mine is currently renting a new apartment on the Baja for $300 month plus utilities, for a total of $400. It is possible, although it may seem incredible. Costa Rica? Thailand? Retirees have options, although I am limited to auto travel while I have my sweet dog. He hates loud noises and would not do well on a plane at his tender age of nearly 11 years.
I share this rather personal information because I want others to see the possibilities for travel. The key, of course, is to have minimal fixed expenses and a modestly livable income. Alaska may not be your destination but so many other possibilities exist for creative travel in the U.S.
Onward!
