Annual Budgets?

My wife and I travel from WA to AK each summer and then winter over in WA with a mid winter escape of 6-8 weeks in Jan/Feb. We have a truck camper and trailer which is loaded with a small car and ATV. We generally boondock which keeps camping fees to a minimum, our park model in WA is paid for and dues for our winter campsite are only about $85/mo plus electric and propane. Fuel is a major expense during our summer travels and we adjust other spending to accomodate. We have had little difficulty getting by on about $50,000 annually. However, our income is structured so that it is income tax free. Something to keep in mind.

These folks post their expenses on their website:

Technomadia

Here's another site with expenses shown for 10 years of fulltiming.
www.rv-dreams.com

With no debt we spent about $33,000 a year. We usually spent at least a month in any given RV park and never boondocked. While in transit from park to park we used Passport America member sites that were 1/2 price for PA members-. PA membership cost was about $45 per year.

One thing you may consider is volunteering at state or federal facilities. There are many opportunities than are often fun, easy, and in great locations.

Usually you will get a campsite with water, electric, sewer for about 30 hours per week of easy, fun "work."

We spend 25k for 6 months in the US. Fuel, CG, propane, servicing, food, extras from attractions to? Seems 25 to 30k for 6 months very easy to do.

I am a young solo full-timer, on the road for 3 years now. In 2015, my cost of living was $15,693 or about $1,308 a month. Might not be as applicable to you two, but helpful for other younger folks who're looking to travel. I work-camp for a living so my travel style is several months in one place working (national parks in the summer, Amazon.com in teh fall), and then "vacation" time at the start of the new year January - April.

If you'd like more details or to see my numbers for every year I've been on the road, they're here: http://www.interstellarorchard.com/2016/01/29/2015-full-timer-cost-of-living-and-income-report/

Thanks to all for the input. Becky ~ Congrats on your lifestyle choice. We've considered workamping but I'm not sure how many seasons we have left. We'll likely keep our home base and travel 6-9 months a year for as long as we can.

Thanx,

Jim

No Debt, live on $50K, travel wisely. Have fun. Enjoy life as it comes along. you decide what and how you want to live.

BeckyIO wrote:
I am a young solo full-timer, on the road for 3 years now. In 2015, my cost of living was $15,693 or about $1,308 a month. Might not be as applicable to you two, but helpful for other younger folks who're looking to travel. I work-camp for a living so my travel style is several months in one place working (national parks in the summer, Amazon.com in teh fall), and then "vacation" time at the start of the new year January - April.

If you'd like more details or to see my numbers for every year I've been on the road, they're here: http://www.interstellarorchard.com/2016/01/29/2015-full-timer-cost-of-living-and-income-report/

Becky, I have been following your blog for over a year as well as others. You have been an inspiration for my wife and I to do something similar as we are around the same age as you. My wife and I both hated our jobs, your first year seems very similar to my experience being miserable. One day I brought up the idea of hitting the road and since then we have been working towards it. I bought a camper, bigger than yours since 2 of us, and a truck for towing it. I am getting very nervous the closer it gets to go time. You are an inspiration!

Regarding work-amping, what would be the best way for us to get our feet wet? We are shooing for April/may as our time for leaving. We are on a budget as well, but we are already pretty good at staying under budget. Do you think $5,000-$10,000 is a big enough coushin to leave on? Also, do you use credit cards or do you pay everything cash? Is the 15k including the workamping or in addition to it.

Sorry for so many questions, I did not know you were a member here.