Or more specifically, we have our gas receipts.
I've been calculating the cost of our six month winter RV escape so I can start working on a budget for the upcoming winter (2011/12).
Between October 15/2010 and April 17/2011, we drove JohnnyDisco from the BC interior to Tucson, Arizona and back home again. We took the shortest route to get there but travelled home on scenic highway 101 thru California and Oregon, which added a few extra miles to the trip.
We budgeted $2400 for RV gas but that was just an educated guess. Apparently we're somewhat educated since the gas tally came in at $2425 :)
Our USA medical travel insurance for six months cost $500 total. We didn't use it and I'm reluctant to get it next year, but we probably will.
RV parks cost us $5189*** for six months, waaaaay over our $4000 budget. And that's including the discount with Passport America. But we still have two weeks left at the resort we stayed at in Tucson (worth about $380) which we'll use this fall. The $4000 RV park budget would have been do-able if we hadn't stayed in California for almost a month on the way home. My Fella and I have already decided to bypass California completely on future trips. Sorry Cali, but you're just too flippin' expensive.
*** $5189 (or $865/month) for RV parks included everything: pad rental, 50 amp power, water, sewer, cable tv, internet, laundry, all taxes and daily mail delivery if necessary.
Sorry about money hungry California. You two can park in front of my house anytime for free (couch surfing).
A few years ago a friend told me when he was near San Diego the RV parks were about $65/night, so he would park at the beach which had No Overnight Parking posted but the fine was $45. He never got ticketed and had a great ocean view while potentially saving $20/night!
Live dangerously - saves money -
The world ends tomorrow anyway.
Posted by: Rick | May 20, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Hey Cali Rick - don't get me wrong... I love your beautiful state - we just can't afford to travel thru it :)
And since we're in the Pacific time zone, the 'End of the World' rapture apparently starts tonight for us. The Vancouver Canucks must know this cause they're doing AWFUL vs. your San Jose Sharks in tonights game!
Posted by: kelsi | May 20, 2011 at 07:19 PM
Personally if staying in the USA for that long I would for sure have medical insurance. Their bills will kill you faster than a bullet will lol.
Have a good weekend.
Posted by: Brenda | May 21, 2011 at 08:48 AM
Our friend Les broke a Q-tip off in his ear and a simple extraction cost him $1,300 in Oregon. The same thing happened in San Miguel de Alende, MX where it cost him only $500 pesos ($40 USA). You do need out of Canada medical coverage and Les should stop sticking Q-tips in his ear.
We also drove home avoiding California this year. It is a beautiful State but simply too expensive.
Posted by: Croft | May 21, 2011 at 12:15 PM
Brenda - that's just my cheap side talking. We'll definitely get travel medical again this winter.
I like that art slide show on your new website - very cool!
Posted by: kelsi | May 21, 2011 at 02:24 PM
Mexi-Croft - Sounds like your pal Les has a bit of a fetish... perhaps he needs to see another kind of doctor ??? :)
Posted by: kelsi | May 21, 2011 at 02:26 PM
If you look at the really big picture we spent almost a third of your 6 month gas and campground fees for just a week in Mexico in January and spent almost 2 days in airports out of that!
Posted by: Don | May 22, 2011 at 09:17 PM
Good point, Mr P!
Posted by: kelsi | May 23, 2011 at 08:35 AM