RV-Dreams Journal

November Financial Summary

November 2010 Results

Campground Fees $586.28 (19.54 per day) - Budget $450.00

It's a bit tougher to stay at the $15 per day average when traveling in the east without going to Passport America campgrounds/RV parks and not getting a senior discount.  :)  But we're pretty happy that we kept it under $20 a day.  

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $0.00

RV Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Propane $27.00 - Budget $30.00

Cell Phones $89.09 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Satellite TV $89.09 - Budget $90.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $231.50 - Budget $350.00

We drove the truck 846 miles in November, 823 towing and 23 going for fuel from a campground.

Gas $214.45 - Budget $150.00

We drove the Jeep 1,704 miles in November.  Of that, 825 was traveling and 879 was local exploring, including one long day trip from Cheraw, SC to the South Carolina coast.  That was quite a bit more local driving than we anticipated.

Truck Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Jeep Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Truck Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

 Truck Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Groceries & Dining Out $348.36 ($11.61 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out.

We were on Weight Watchers for the entire month and Linda cooked more to make sure we stayed within our guidelines.  Preparing our own meals rather than going out or buying pre-packaged meals always saves us.

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $100.38 - Budget $75.00

Linda got a new pair of tennis shoes and I needed a new belt - a smaller one.  :)  Laundry is running about $8 per week.

Entertainment $34.00 - Budget $200.00

One round of golf for the month and everything else we did was free.

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $166.69 - Budget $200.00

Monthly health insurance premium ($166.69) for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

I budgeted for an increase of about 30% when the policy renewed in August just to be conservative.  However, we were pleased to see that the increase was only about $12 (a little less than 8%). 

Medical & Dental Expenses $4.00 - Budget $50.00

Miscellaneous $70.91 - Budget $150.00

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $0.00 - Budget $600.00

 

Totals $1,961.75 ($65.39 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $2,405.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $1,961.75 - Budget $3,005.00.

We came in $443 under budget on normal living expenses.  For the eleven months so far this year, we're $2,134 under budget when excluding the Emergencies/Budget Cushion.  We're over budget on the Emergencies/Budget Cushion alone by $1,922, but, overall we've made up for the larger expenses we hadn't anticipated.  We just have to get through one more month on budget and we'll be very happy with our year.

For a look at the numbers through November 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

On the business side, we had net income for November of $1,185.  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

 

 

October Financial Summary

October 2010 Results

Campground Fees $394.50 (12.73 per day) - Budget $300.00

Workamping at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, MI for the summer.  Campsite was included, but our stint was over on October 15.  So we had 17 days of campground fees that averaged $23.21 for the rest of the month.  Just a budget miscalculation on my part.  :)  

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $0.00

RV Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Propane $70.71 - Budget $30.00

We hadn't bought propane since May.  So we filled up both 40-lb tanks (9 gallons each) before leaving Hillman.

Cell Phones $80.89 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Satellite TV $89.09 - Budget $90.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $223.61 - Budget $500.00

Apparently, I was expecting to drive a little farther south a little faster than we did in October.  :)

We drove the truck 651 miles in October, 615 while towing.

Gas $255.24 - Budget $180.00

We took a four-day road trip to Michigan's Upper Peninsula before we left our workamping job.

We drove the Jeep 1,775 miles in October.  Of that, 620 was while traveling with the rig and 1,155 was local exploring (about 600 of that was the trip to the U.P.).

Truck Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Jeep Maintenance $606.15 - Budget $35.00

We replaced the tires on the Jeep, got it aligned, and did an oil change.  I hadn't anticipated new tires on the Jeep for this year, so it wasn't in the budget.  But it was time to get it done.

Truck Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Truck Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Groceries & Dining Out $324.09 ($10.45 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out.

We did very well for October.  Even with our trip to the U.P., we didn't splurge on dining out and with us starting on the Weight Watchers plan, we were more selective on food and Linda cooked more.

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $30.25 - Budget $75.00

Laundry is running about $8 per week.

Entertainment $377.17 - Budget $200.00

With our trip to the U.P, we spent money on overnight stays, a boat tour at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and a canoe rental.  We had planned for a trip to the U.P., we just didn't know which month it would be while in Michigan.

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $166.69 - Budget $200.00

Monthly health insurance premium ($166.69) for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

Our premium was $154.66 through July, but the renewal was in August.  I anticipated an increase of about $40 and budgeted thusly.  However, we were pleased to see that the increase was only about $12 (a little less than 8%). 

Medical & Dental Expenses $9.27 - Budget $50.00

Miscellaneous $271.40 - Budget $150.00

We spent $130 on four months of the Weight Watchers Online service.  In addition, we had some work done on our bikes, and we got an inline water filter replacement.

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $0.00 - Budget $600.00

I considered putting the Jeep tires in this category since it was an unanticipated expense for this year.  But in the overall scheme of things, it really was Jeep Maintenance.

 

Totals $2,899.06 ($93.52 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $2,435.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $2,899.06 - Budget $3.035.00.

We came in $464 over budget on normal living expenses due to the Jeep tires.  But, even with that, for the first ten months of the year, we're $1,691 under budget when excluding the Emergencies/Budget Cushion.  We're over budget on the Emergencies/Budget Cushion, but by year end we should still be under on normal living expenses and under on our overall budget.  

 

For a look at the numbers through October 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

 

On the business side, we had net income for October of $3,410.  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

---

 

 

September Financial Summary

September 2010 Results

Campground Fees $0.00 (0.00 per day) - Budget $0.00

Workamping at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, MI for the summer.  Campsite is included.  

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $0.00

RV Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Propane $0.00 - Budget $10.00

Cell Phones $80.89 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Satellite TV $89.09 - Budget $90.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $0.00 - Budget $0.00

We drove the truck 41 miles in September to give it a workaout.

Gas $115.78 - Budget $120.00

We drove the Jeep 1,290 miles in September.  Of that, 616 was for local exploring and 674 was the roundtrip to Goshen, Indiana to see our RV-Dreams friends and speak at the Escapees Escapade.  The gas for the trip to Escapade is included in our monthly business expenses.

Truck Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Jeep Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Truck Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

 Truck Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Groceries & Dining Out $444.42 ($14.81 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out.

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $77.00 - Budget $75.00

Linda picked up some clothes for her duties as a server for an event at our workamping gig.  Laundry is running about $8 per week.

Entertainment $156.82 - Budget $200.00

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $166.69 - Budget $200.00

Monthly health insurance premium ($166.69) for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

Our premium was $154.66 through July, but the renewal was in August.  I anticipated an increase of about $40 and budgeted thusly.  However, we were pleased to see that the increase was only about $12 (a little less than 8%). 

Medical & Dental Expenses $4.00 - Budget $50.00

Miscellaneous $97.09 - Budget $150.00

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $0.00 - Budget $600.00

Yay!  Now that's four months in a row without any more expenses in this category.  :)

 

Totals $1,231.78 ($41.06 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $1,555.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $1,231.78 - Budget $2,155.00.

We came in $323 under budget on normal living expenses.  For the first nine months of the year, we're $2,156 under budget when excluding the Emergencies/Budget Cushion.  We're over budget on the Emergencies/Budget Cushion alone by $3,122, but as long as nothing new pops up, we should be able to make all of that up pretty easily by year end.  

 

For a look at the numbers through September 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

On the business side, we had net loss for September of ($144).  That was due to 1) Linda placing a large beading order for a few people near the end of the month and she didn't get reimbursed until October, and 2) the expenses of traveling to and speaking at the Escapees Escapade for which there was no compensation.  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

 

 

August Financial Summary

August 2010 Results

Campground Fees $0.00 (0.00 per day) - Budget $0.00

Workamping at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, MI for the summer.  Campsite is included.  

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $0.00

RV Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Propane $0.00 - Budget $10.00

Cell Phones $80.95 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Satellite TV $89.09 - Budget $90.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $0.00 - Budget $0.00

We didn't drive the truck at all in August.

Gas $83.62 - Budget $120.00

We drove the Jeep 559 miles in local exploring around northeast Michigan in August.

Truck Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Jeep Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Truck Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Truck Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $100.00

Groceries & Dining Out $438.30 ($14.14 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out.

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $24.00 - Budget $75.00

Entertainment ($42.64) - Budget $200.00

Well we spent about $490 in Entertainment for the month.  Much of that was while Linda's Mom & Adam were visiting with their friends.  We had $110 for a golf/casino trip, $75 for another golf outing, about $90 for our part of a pontoon boat rental and fishing bait & tackle, and some smaller items.  Without those items we would have come in right at our $200 budget.

However, part of the Entertainment expense was a $40 entry fee into a poker tournament at the beginning of the month.  I happened to come in second and won $532.  If not for that, we likely wouldn't have spent quite so much in this category in August, so we offset our Entertainment expenses against those winnings and came out with a negative expense number.  :)

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $166.69 - Budget $200.00

Monthly health insurance premium ($166.69) for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

Our premium was $154.66 through July, but the renewal was in August.  I anticipated an increase of about $40 and budgeted thusly.  However, we were pleased to see that the increase was only about $12 (a little less than 8%). 

Medical & Dental Expenses $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Miscellaneous $152.09 - Budget $150.00

Most of that was to have my golf clubs re-gripped - $70.50 plus a $20.00 tip.

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $0.00 - Budget $600.00

Yay!  Now that's three months in a row without any more expenses in this category.  :)

 

Totals $992.10 ($32.00 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $1,555.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $992.10 - Budget $2,155.00.

We came in $563 under budget on normal living expenses.  For the first eight months of the year, we're $1,832 under budget when excluding the Emergencies/Budget Cushion.  We're over budget on the Emergencies/Budget Cushion alone by $3,722, but as long as nothing new pops up, we should be able to make all of that up pretty easily by year end.  

For a look at the numbers through August 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

On the business side, we had net profit for August of $442.  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

 

 

June Financial Summary

June 2010 Results

Campground Fees $0.00 (0.00 per day) - Budget $0.00

Workamping at Thunder Bay Resort in Hillman, MI for the summer.  Campsite is included.  

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $0.00

RV Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Propane $0.00 - Budget $30.00

Cell Phones $81.01 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Satellite TV $89.09 - Budget $85.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $0.00 - Budget $0.00

We drove the truck 31 miles in June to do a boat trip shuttle.

Gas $71.99 - Budget $120.00

We drove the Jeep 415 in local exploring around Hillman in June.

Now, we drove the Jeep another 1,516 miles roundtrip from Hillman to Bowling Green, KY to speak at the RVSEF Lifestyle, Education, and Safety Conference.  The gas for that trip is included in our Business Expenses.

Truck Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Jeep Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Truck Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Truck Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Groceries & Dining Out $410.80 ($13.69 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out. 

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $21.00 - Budget $75.00

Averaging $7 a week, but got free laundry in Louisville the first week of the month when we stopped on our way to Bowling Green.  :)

Entertainment $171.86 - Budget $200.00

Includes expenses for a variety of golf events, a boat trip shuttle, and tips for musicians here at the resort.

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $1,107.66 - Budget $1,110.00

Monthly health insurance premium ($154.66) for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

June is the month our annual life insurance premiums are due.  We each have a $250,000 30-year level premium term policy.  The total cost for both is $953.

Medical & Dental Expenses $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Miscellaneous $40.61 - Budget $150.00

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $0.00 - Budget $600.00

Whew!  That's one month without any more expenses in this category.  :)

We only have to save a couple hundred more dollars the rest of the year to make up the overages in this category.  It should be fairly easy as long as nothing else unexpected pops up.

 

Totals $1,994.02 ($66.47 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $2,465.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $1,994.02 - Budget $3,065.00.

We came in $471 under budget on normal living expenses.  For the first half of the year, we're $1,148 under budget when excluding the Emergencies/Budget Cushion.  Soon we'll be back under budget across the board as long as nothing new pops up.   

For a look at the numbers through June 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

On the business side, we had net profit for June of $2,319.  Most of that was from our RVSEF Conference seminars (after travel expenses), but we had a pretty good month in other areas as well.  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

---

May Financial Summary

May 2010 Results

Campground Fees $151.35 (4.88 per day) - Budget $300.00

We budgeted low for May knowing we would be at our summer workamping job for half the month with no campground fees.  Actually, we arrived at the workamping job a couple of days early.  Also, we stayed four nights free in the Mor/Ryde parking lot in Elkhart, IN while we were getting brake and suspension upgrades done on the fifth wheel.  We averaged about $25 a night for the nights we did pay.  

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $0.00

RV Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Propane $0.00 - Budget $30.00

Cell Phones $81.01 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Satellite TV $89.09 - Budget $85.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $235.05 - Budget $300.00

We drove the truck 746 miles in May (745 towing and 5 locally).  Since we arrived at our summer workamping job on May 12, it sat over half the month.

Gas $170.57 - Budget $200.00

We drove the Jeep 1,399 miles in May - 726 traveling and 673 locally. 

Truck Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Jeep Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Truck Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Truck Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Groceries & Dining Out $449.96 ($14.51 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out.

Missed the budget by 4 cents in May.  :)  

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $84.73 - Budget $75.00

Linda picked up a couple of sweatshirts and a rain suit in addition to our usual laundry expenses.

Entertainment $189.82 - Budget $200.00

Includes $86 for Michigan fishing licenses.

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $154.66 - Budget $160.00

Monthly health insurance premium ($154.66) for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

Medical & Dental Expenses $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Miscellaneous $129.98 - Budget $150.00

The biggest expense was about $65 for a new, high flow water pressure regulator. 

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $5,390.59 - Budget $600.00

We budgeted $7,200 in this category for the year.  The biggest reason for that amount was to upgrade our fifth wheel running gear.  We planned to put on disc brakes and upgrade our axles.  The upgrade of the axles actually turned into a complete upgrade of our suspension to the Mor/Ryde IS suspension.  The extra expense of upgrading the suspension wasn't much over upgrading to 8,000 pound axles, so we spent a little bit more for the better suspension.

The total cost of the upgrades at Mor/Ryde are reflected in the expense total for this category for May.  It actually came in at a little less than I thought it would.

Now, with unexpected expenses in other months, we are going to be about $1,300 over in this category for the year.  But we should be able to make that up by cutting costs in our normal living expenses (we are already half way there through May).

 

Totals $1,736.22 ($56.01 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $2,195.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $7,126.81 - Budget $2,795.00.

We came in $459 under budget on normal living expenses.  We're doing great there.  But we'll have to do better and hope we don't have any more unexpected expenses the rest of the year to make up for the over-budget situation on our Emergencies/Budget Cushion. 

For a look at the numbers through May 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

On the business side, we had net profit for May of $402.  We can't complain too much about that.  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

---

April Financial Summary

April 2010 Results

Campground Fees $713.00 (23.77 per day) - Budget $600.00

We budgeted high for April knowing we would be in the more expensive Willow Tree RV Resort during our 2010 Rally.  However, we didn't quite budget for the $40 per night average during those nine days.  The other 21 days of the month, we averaged about $16 a night.  

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $44.00

Oops.  Forgot to renew our Passport America.  Guess we'll do it in May.

RV Insurance $777.75 - Budget $700.00

Underestimated the RV insurance for this year.

Propane $0.00 - Budget $30.00

Cell Phones $81.01 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Satellite TV $89.09 - Budget $85.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $392.45 - Budget $500.00

I budgeted high for diesel in April since I knew we would be traveling farther than usual.  But it turned out better than I thought.

We drove the truck 1,188 miles in April (1,044 towing and 144 locally).

Gas $280.26 - Budget $200.00

We drove the Jeep 1,930 miles in April.  Almost half of that was driving locally and most of that, 703 miles was running around like crazy during our two weeks in Louisville, our former hometown. 

Truck Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Jeep Maintenance $25.26 - Budget $35.00

Regular oil change and service.

Truck Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Truck Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Groceries & Dining Out $316.97 ($10.57 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out.

With family and friends in Louisville providing us food for two weeks, we did well in this category in April.  

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $90.00 - Budget $175.00

I was instructed to budget high in this category for April since Linda was going to see her favorite hairstylist while in Louisville.  Guess I overdid it.  :)

Entertainment $192.00 - Budget $200.00

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $154.66 - Budget $160.00

Monthly health insurance premium ($154.66) for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

Medical & Dental Expenses $218.00 - Budget $50.00

We self-insure dental.  This time, in addition to cleanings, we had X-rays since it had been a few years.

Miscellaneous $198.31 - Budget $150.00

The biggest expense was about $90 for material and labor to do some repairs on our truck bed cover. 

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $1,881.12 - Budget $600.00

We had two big unexpected expenses in April.

First, we had eye exams, our first in years.  Linda needed new glasses and I had to get my first pair of reading glasses.  The new glasses and the part of the exam not covered by our insurance came to $781.

Second, we had to replace the lift kit on our Jeep with a better lift kit.  The "budget" lift kit we put in in 2009 made the ride horrible after awhile and caused us to bottom out.  We lived with it for a year, but had to do something.  It cost us $1,100 to install a new lift kit with better springs and new shocks.  It was painful for the wallet, but without it, all the other work we had done on the Jeep was useless.

Now, we are going to be $2,000 - $3,000 over in this category for the year.  So, we'll have to try to make that up by cutting costs in our normal living expenses.

Totals $3,528.76 ($117.63 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $3,559.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $5,409.88 - Budget $4,159.00.

April is another big expense month for us, though not as big as March.  Of course, it wasn't supposed to be quite this big.  :)

Somehow we managed to come in $30 under budget on normal living expenses.

We've got our work cut out for us the rest of the year. 

For a look at the numbers through April 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

On the business side, we had net profit of $4,102.  About three quarters of that was our final tally from the Rally after paying out all the expenses.  But it was also a better month for us in other areas.  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

---

March Financial Summary

March 2010 Results

Campground Fees $513.53 (16.57 per day) - Budget $450.00

We budgeted for a monthly rate at Welaka Lodge & Resort as we intended to stay through the end of the month.  But, since we arrived early, our monthly rate ended on March 21.  Rather than staying the rest of the month, we moved on toward our 2010 Rally in South Carolina.  So, we ended up staying the rest of the month in a nice Georgia State Park for $25 a night.

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $0.00

RV Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Propane $35.25 - Budget $30.00

Cell Phones $81.01 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $460.12 - Budget $500.00

Satellite TV $84.34 - Budget $85.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $56.36 - Budget $0.00

I didn't budget for diesel in March as we didn't expect to move the rig until April.  But, since we moved early, I topped off the tanks.

We drove the truck 163 miles in March (118 towing and 45 locally to get a service completed).

Gas $78.00 - Budget $180.00

We drove the Jeep 629 miles in March.  Most of that, 508 miles, was local exploring. 

Truck Maintenance $118.63 - Budget $35.00

Got the truck serviced in March.

Jeep Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Truck Insurance $756.12 - Budget $750.00

Jeep Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Truck Taxes/Registration $298.00 - Budget $550.00

I overbudgeted for this year's truck property taxes.  Glad to see the taxes coming down.  :)

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Groceries & Dining Out $579.17 ($18.68 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out.

Oops.  Got off track again in this category in March.  Fortunately, we did well in other categories, but we've got to watch this one.  We should be fine for the year once we get settled in Michigan for the summer.  

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $57.97 - Budget $75.00

Entertainment $243.75 - Budget $200.00

It was "boat month" in March.  :)  We rented a pontoon boat with some friends, took a ferry ride to Cumberland Island, rented a kayak in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and took a sunset boat tour in the Okefenokee.

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $282.66 - Budget $360.00

Monthly health insurance premium ($154.66) for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

Plus our annual Umbrella Insurance premium - $128.00 for $1 million of additional liability coverage.

Medical & Dental Expenses $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Miscellaneous $63.74 - Budget $150.00

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $0.00 - Budget $600.00

Totals $3,708.65 ($119.63 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $4,045.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $3,708.65 - Budget $4,645.00.

March is a big expense month for us, and the budget was $2,000 higher than in February.  That's due to some large annual expenses that have to be paid in March - property taxes on the truck and RV, truck insurance, and our umbrella policy premium.

The good news is we were $336 under budget on normal living expenses.

And because we didn't have any unexpected expenses, we were $936 under budget overall. 

For the first quarter of 2010, we are doing well at $188 under budget for normal living expenses and $738 under budget overall. 

For a look at the numbers through March 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

On the business side, we had net profit of $178.  It's been a slow start on the business side for the year, but we've had some large expenses for a future roll-out.  At least we're cash flowing future growth on our own.  :)  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

---

February Financial Summary

February 2010 Results

Campground Fees $379.61 (13.56 per day) - Budget $450.00

Getting a monthly rate here at Welaka Lodge & Resort for three months.  Our electric is metered, but February was quite a bit warmer than January.

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $0.00

RV Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Propane $30.00 - Budget $30.00

Cell Phones $81.44 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Satellite TV $84.34 - Budget $85.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $0.00 - Budget $0.00

We drove the truck a whopping 17 miles in February.

Gas $128.16 - Budget $200.00

We drove the Jeep 858 miles in February.  Most of that was for a trip to Ft. Myers and Bradenton to visit family and friends. 

Truck Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Jeep Maintenance $445.41 - Budget $35.00

Our water pump went out on the Jeep.  Had to get the system flushed and the water pump and hoses replaced.  That ate up our entire budget for the year in this category, so we'll have to cover routine maintenance by lowering costs in other categories.

Truck Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Truck Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Groceries & Dining Out $416.34 ($14.36 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out.

After our high January, we got back on pace in February.  We still ate out a little too much, but we did great on groceries.  

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $34.67 - Budget $75.00

No clothing purchases this month.

Entertainment $126.75 - Budget $200.00

Couple of rounds of golf, a canoe rental (they wouldn't let us take our inflatables), and a wildlife refuge entrance fee.

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $154.66 - Budget $160.00

Monthly health insurance for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

Medical & Dental Expenses $3.09 - Budget $50.00

In January, I started reducing the low dose blood pressure medicine I started taking last October.  When I discontinued it during the month, I had a reaction that caused a trip to a nearby emergency room.  Everything checked out fine, but it was a little scary.

The first bill arrived in January, but two more large ones came this month.  However, since it was sort of an emergency expense rather than a periodic maintenance expense, we included those payments in the Emergencies/Budget Cushion Category below.

We have the Medical & Dental Expenses category more for more routine expenses like over-the-counter medicines, physicals, office visits, and routine dental work.

Miscellaneous $233.98 - Budget $150.00

We're not off to a very good start in this category this year.  But it should settle down.

In February, I bought a new grill and some new dry-bags for our boat excursions.  Linda picked up some skin care products.

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $686.19 - Budget $600.00

I have $600 a month budgeted each month in this category to cover replacing our trailer brakes and upgrading our suspension later this year.  There is a little extra cushion in that figure for the year.

Unfortunately, we didn't expect to be using up the cushion for my emergency room visit in January.  Fortunately, we have our Health Savings Account funded for such events, so it didn't have any effect on our cash flow.

Totals $2,118.45 ($75.66 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $2,045.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $2,804.64 - Budget $2,645.00.

Well, we were $73 over budget on normal living expenses - not too bad considering the big Jeep maintenance bill.  

We were $160 over budget overall.  Again, not too bad considering the Jeep repair and the emergency room bills.  My only concern is that the extra cushion I put in the Emergency Budget/Cushion category (over and above our brake/suspension costs for later) is almost gone. 

For a look at the numbers through February 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

On the business side, we had net profit of $60.  It's been a slow start on the business side for the year, but we've had some large expenses for a future roll-out.  At least we're cash flowing future growth on our own.  :)  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

---

January Financial Summary

January 2010 Results

Campground Fees $465.91 (15.03 per day) - Budget $450.00

With a cold January, we used a lot of electric heat and our metered electric bill was over $100.

RV Clubs $0.00 - Budget $0.00

RV Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Propane $28.00 - Budget $30.00

Cell Phones $80.74 - Budget $90.00

Satellite Internet $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Note:  Satellite internet is not included in our regular expenses.  We classify it as a business expense.  It runs us about $800 per year ($67 per month). 

RV Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Satellite TV $89.60 - Budget $85.00

RV Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $50.00

Diesel $0.00 - Budget $0.00

The truck sat the entire month of January.

Gas $147.20 - Budget $200.00

We drove the Jeep 1,084 miles in January.  Most of that, 600 miles, was for Linda to attend a bead show in Kissimmee and for us to go to the Florida RV Supershow in Tampa. 

Truck Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Jeep Maintenance $0.00 - Budget $35.00

Truck Insurance $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Insurance $329.26 - Budget $350.00

Truck Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Jeep Taxes/Registration $0.00 - Budget $0.00

Groceries & Dining Out $621.23 ($20.04 per day) - Budget $450.00

Our Groceries & Dining Out budget for 2010 is the same as for 2009.  It's based on $12 per day per month for groceries PLUS $90 for dining out.

In January, we went a little crazy in this category.  We spent almost our entire budget on groceries and then another $200 on dining out.  That happens occasionally and then we settle back in and spend a lot less.  We've only spent $600 in a month five times in four and half years.  

Laundry, Clothing, Hair Care $33.00 - Budget $75.00

We only had laundry January at about $8 per week.

Entertainment $256.24 - Budget $200.00

I played a few rounds of golf and we took a boat tour here at Welaka Lodge.  But the biggest expense was an annual Florida fishing license for me and Linda at $112.  Perhaps I should have spread that over the three months we'll be here in Welaka, FL.

Insurance - Health, Life, Umbrella, Etc. $154.66 - Budget $160.00

Monthly health insurance for both of us.  It's an Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield Lumenos PPO plan with a $10,000 deductible and a Health Savings Account (HSA) feature.

Medical & Dental Expenses $2.79 - Budget $50.00

In January, I started reducing the low dose blood pressure medicine I started taking last October.  When I discontinued it during the month, I had a reaction that caused a trip to a nearby emergency room.  Everything checked out fine, but it was a little scary.

The first bill arrived this month.  However, since it was sort of an emergency expense rather than a periodic maintenance expense, we included it in the Emergencies/Budget Cushion Category below.

We have the Medical & Dental Expenses category more for more routine expenses like over-the-counter medicines, physicals, office visits, and routine dental work.

Miscellaneous $261.21 - Budget $150.00

We went over in this category because it was time to renew our passports - $75 each.

Emergencies/Budget Cushion $563.92 - Budget $600.00

I have $600 a month budgeted each month in this category to cover replacing our trailer brakes and upgrading our suspension later this year.  There is a little extra cushion in that, and we're using it quick with my January emergency room visit mentioned above.

Totals $2,469.84 ($79.67 per day) for normal living expenses - Budget $2,395.00

Totals with Emergencies/Budget Cushion $3,033.76 - Budget $2,995.00.

Well, it was a decent month for our normal living expenses.  We were $80 over budget - not too bad considering the passport renewals and the fishing licenses.  Fortunately, the under budget categories offset the Groceries & Dining overage.

I certainly wasn't expecting another emergency room trip, but that's why I put a little extra cushion in the Emergencie/Budget Cushion. 

For a look at the numbers through January 2010, go to Our 2010 Actual Expenses. To see our budget month-by-month click on Our 2010 Budget.

On the business side, we had net profit of $152.  You can see the breakdown on the 2010 Business Financial Summary page.

---