New Year, New Budget

Temps dropped to -5C (23f) in Tucson last night, close to a record low.

We definitely hit an all-time low temperature in JohnnyDisco last night when the interior of the rig hit 4C (39f).  No wonder we wear touques to bed.

We're not too cheap turn on the heat, by the way.  

Turns out the furnace wires are crossed in our motorhome, and while the a/c and fans work (although they cool the opposite end of the RV that they are programmed for) the bedroom/bathroom heater doesn't work at all.  We didn't need the heater last February when we first bought our unit so we had no idea it didn't function properly until we got back to Canada.  The entire rig is still under warranty and the furnace wires are the first thing on the list to be repaired when we bring JohnnyDisco in for maintenance this week.  

In the meantime, space heaters work just fine for our teeny 360 square foot home.  Except in the middle of the night when it's freezing and we're too lazy get out of bed and turn them on.

The last couple days have been chilly and rainy here in southern Arizona so we've all been stuck inside.  My Fella was definitely stir crazy today so he ran out to the grocery store to grab veggies for lunch.

Yay - alone time!  Gives me a chance to revise and finalize our budget for 2011.  My inner nerd is rejoicing ... I love all this numbers stuff   :)     

2011 Annual Budget, based on Gail Vaz-Oxlade's most excellent budgeting guide:

Home expenses - suggested to be 35% of budget, ours is only 9.7% or $8100

• RV pad rental        3300
• RV gas                  2400
• RV propane             200
• RV maint./repair    600 
• RV insurance         1600

Transportation - suggested to be 15% of budget, ours is 2.7% or $2290

• Car gas                  1560
• Car insurance          650
• Car maintenance       80

Debt Repayment - suggested to be 15%, ours is 14% or $12,000 (the interest is written off against my taxes so I'm NOT paying this off aggressively)

• Investment line of credit    12,000    

Savings/Investments - should be 15% of budget, ours is 36% or $30,000 

• TFSA's, non-reg brokerage account    30,000

Life (includes everything else from groceries to insurance to donations) - should be roughly 25% of budget, we are right on target at 25% or $21,000   

• Groceries, booze, household, toiletries, laundry, gifts    10,960
• Shelbert  (food, snacks, grooming, shots, squeak toys)       500
• BC health insurance                                                         1250
• Travel medical insurance                                                   500
• Internet                                                                            210
• Cell phone                                                                         180
• Sirius satellite                                                                   200
• Clothes/shoes                                                                  1200
• Charity/donations                                                            1400 
• Entertainment (movies, driving range tennis balls, etc.)      600
• Misc. RV outdoor (solar lights, patio mat, blower, etc.)        500
• Misc. RV indoor (curtain rods, bedspread, towels, etc.)        500
• Misc. small emergencies (dental, computer repair, tires)    3000

Outside our annual budget is a separate fund for any bigger emergencies (new car, major RV repairs, lobotomy, etc).  

The reason we can save 36% of our annual income is because we live full-time in JohnnyDisco.  Our housing costs are teeny weeny compared to most folks.

Transportation costs are super low too.  My Fella has a 2 minute commute to his golf course job during the summer season.  

And my vehicle commute is non-existent, since:

1. If it's realistic, I prefer to walk
2. I don't really have a job
3. My stock stuff is all done from our home office, smack dab in the center of the RV and seven steps to every corner of JohnnyDisco

This budget will be adjusted as the year goes on.  Not necessarily 'cause it needs changes, I just like playing with the numbers.

Hope you had a wonderful holiday season ... Feliz Ano Nuevo from our little family to yours.  

"A chicken liver rawhide is a great way to ring in the new year."

Comments

[Jacq @ Single Mom Rich Mom]

I think valium might be cheaper than a lobotomy... :-)
My total spend for the year is going to be about $70k. *puke* 50/50 split between renos and living. I think I'm really highballing on the renos tho. Or at least I hope so. :-P

[Brenda]

Happy New Year.
Man, I have been complaining about it being cold here but so far it hasn't gone below 11 or so at night and today the high is a frosty +19 lol. Can't you turn on the furnace in Johnny Disco?? I baked cinnamon buns to warm us up today lol. So the oven heats me up immediately and the goodies heat me up by adding another layer of fat lol. A 2fer lol.
If it was minus temps. I would be looking at moving further south lol. By the way when you come, take back the cold front from the USA that we are having right now OK.

Yes, we have a dentist and I have no idea what he charges for a cleaning. He is very good, gentle and doesn't keep you sitting in the chair forever. Roy and I both like him.
He charges from 200 to 400.00 for a large filling and charged Roy 500 pesos for a pulling and gave him a deal of 800 pesos when he had 2 pulled at the same time. He speaks excellent English; although his receptionist does not speak any. Normally you can get in if it is something painful; for a cleaning you would probably need an appt.. (who knows lol)
He is in Guaymas on Calle 9. Stay on the main street Serdan until Calle 9, there is a hotel on that corner (think it is San Enrique; but kind of forget the name, could be Santa Rita, sorry oldtimers disease), turn left on Calle 9 and go about 1/2 block, his office is in a 2 story green building on your left hand side. His office is on the ground floor.
Dr. Leonel A. Vizcaino, Calle 9, Tel: (622)-222-2660
Across the street from him is La Barca Restaurant an excellent place for a good mexican meal.
If you get to the lights at Calle 10 and the New Soriana you have gone too far.

[Mave]

Feliz ano nuevo mis hijos!!

I'm just going to start my first blog of the new year, but wanted to wish you three Happy New Year and to let you know we're thinking of you.

Good trip south!

Mave n Mike

[kelsi]

jjolie - but a lobotomy only has to be performed once. And you get to keep your brain in a jar after, as a keepsake.
I don't know much about valium but I don't think you get those kind of fringe benefits.

[kelsi]

Brenda - thanks for all the info on your dentist. I feel like I should tip you now :)

Hopefully we'll see you sometime next week.

[kelsi]

Feliz Ano Nuevo right back at ya, Mavey 'n Mike. (It was cute that you remembered to put an 's' at the end of the word 'mis' to make it plural :)
I was going to give all our extra Mexican pesos to Vic and Bev to give to you guys until we realized we would be using them. At first we were going to stay in the States while JohnnyDisco was being repaired but I can't be sooo close to Mex and not go, even for only a week.
Looks like you guys are having a hoot! Any big storms yet?

[Mimi]

Morning Radio Gril
I see you have a Poodle too.
A lady had mine out in a cage at 10 Weeks old I saved her she was skinny too I payed $350 dollars for her.
Shes in with me all hugs & kisses from meee!

Shes Lola Jane .

Mimi

[John Calypso]

Happy New Year - We hope you two were in dangerous Mexico today Saturday the 8th rather than safe Tucson where 7 people were indiscriminately shot and killed as well as another bunch (12 I think) wounded. We hope you are safe in the U.S. tonight or better still in dangerous Mexico.

[kelsi]

Mimi - we love our rescue dog too, although she's a havanese, not a poodle. But she has some good poodle buddies :)
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

[kelsi]

Senor C - NO KIDDING! The first thing My Fella and I said to each other after we heard about the Tucson shooting was "Thank goodness we're in Mexico!" Trust me, the irony was not lost on us...