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Information on this website is our opinion only. This site was created to help others considering this wonderful lifestyle, and for our own use.

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2005 Expenses 2006 Expenses 2007 Expenses 2008 Expenses 2009 Expenses

Finances are one of the primary concerns of potential RV full-timers. While doing our research before full-timing, I greatly appreciated looking at other people's expense records. My research showed it cost the average full-timer about $2500 a month to maintain this lifestyle. Of course, some claimed they could survive on less than $1000 a month, while others stated they couldn't survive on less than $5000 a month. This big variation is probably contributed to the difference in lifestyle choices. We've tried to be frugal in this lifestyle, yet not cheap. We've budgeted ourselves and try to live within this budget. Two of the largest expense items can be controlled. Our campground fees are kept under an average of $6.50 a day by boondocking and workamping. Fuel for the motorhome is also kept reasonable by not driving everyday, staying at least 2 nights at each stop, and staying still for workamping.

To help future full-timers and others contemplating this lifestyle, here are our exact expenses while living, traveling, and working fulltime in our motorhome.

2009 EXPENSES:

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Monthly Average
2009 Total
Avg Since Starting Fulltime
Barber
16
30
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
23
46
11
Camp Fees (1)
220
272
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
246
492
191
Cell Phone (2)
94
98
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
96
192
94
Clothing
56
120
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
88
176
35
Dining Out
188
271
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
230
459
199
Education Books (3)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
Education Fees (3)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
46
Entertainment (4)
16
144
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
80
160
34
Fuel - Jeep
184
155
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
170
339
104
Fuel - MH
0
65
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
33
65
182
Gifts
0
33
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
17
33
81
Groceries (5)
342
314
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
328
656
408
Hobbies
0
87
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
44
87
39
Household
102
29
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
66
131
89
Insurance - Jeep
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
70
Insurance - MH
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
77
Internet (6)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
99
Laundry
0
17
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
17
14
License - Jeep
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
License - MH
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
17
Mail Service (7)
50
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
50
17
Maint & Repair - Jeep
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
58
Maint & Repair - MH
28
1443
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
736
1471
158
Medical Costs
24
168
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
96
192
36
Memberships (8)
72
373
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
223
445
29
Motorhome Improvements
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
121
Propane
0
125
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
63
125
16
Rallies
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Satellite TV
75
75
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
75
150
62
Hotels & Vacation
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
139
Toll Roads/Parking
0
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
5
(9) TOTAL:
1,467
0
0
0
0
0
$442
$2,450
3,831
0
0
0
0
0
$5,298

Notes:
1. Includes all fees paid to a campground, RV park and resorts. Boondocking and workamping keeps this expense under control.
2. We have 2 cell phones, using shared 800 minutes per month.
3. We're helping to pay our daughter's community college tuition and books.
4. Includes all admissions, parking, and entrance fees to tourist attractions, movies, and other site seeing attractions.
5. Everything purchased at a grocery store. Includes food, personal items, cleaning supplies, and liquor.
6. Our business class HughesNet satellite service.
7. Includes annual fee, as well as monthly postage fees to forward our mail.
8. Memberships to SAM's Club, Escapee's RV club, Elks club, and Workampers.
9. Listed expenses DO NOT include motorhome payments, income taxes, and depreciation on the vehicles.

2008 EXPENSES:

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Monthly Average
2008 Total
Avg Since Starting Fulltime
Barber
0
19
0
18
0
27
0
0
0
56
0
52
14
172
11
Camp Fees (1)
169
346
357
298
0
0
0
0
0
190
295
220
156
1875
188
Cell Phone (2)
91
91
176
98
98
98
98
98
98
98
98
98
103
1240
94
Clothing
68
13
0
0
11
0
0
0
0
287
56
11
37
446
33
Dining Out
289
188
235
314
355
154
50
112
117
282
227
114
203
2437
198
Education Books (3)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
Education Fees (3)
-585
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-49
-585
47
Entertainment (4)
23
16
2
3
-50
0
0
17
0
109
0
1
10
121
32
Fuel - Jeep
139
171
82
78
114
0
78
0
0
37
82
180
80
961
101
Fuel - MH
157
325
848
509
0
0
0
0
0
241
0
0
173
2080
188
Gifts
33
45
0
0
163
31
0
0
25
80
227
52
97
1166
84
Groceries (5)
355
340
371
433
375
441
403
512
553
301
281
488
404
4853
412
Hobbies
60
0
5
7
109
0
0
0
21
39
0
15
21
256
39
Household
214
211
40
0
105
73
0
149
15
0
19
10
70
836
90
Insurance - Jeep
0
0
0
767
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
64
767
73
Insurance - MH
0
0
0
952
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
79
952
80
Internet (6)
0
0
290
0
0
290
0
0
290
0
0
290
97
1160
103
Laundry
17
9
13
10
20
0
0
0
0
18
12
6
9
105
15
License - Jeep
57
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
57
10
114
9
License - MH
146
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
146
24
292
18
Mail Service (7)
0
0
0
0
0
50
105
0
0
0
0
0
13
155
17
Maint & Repair - Jeep
0
2
15
0
0
721
0
0
0
0
0
0
62
738
61
Maint & Repair - MH
33
238
91
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
257
52
622
134
Medical Costs
597
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
0
0
68
30
60
716
33
Memberships (8)
38
0
65
0
0
165
0
0
0
0
0
143
34
411
21
Motorhome Improvements
570
636
16
0
0
293
3263
-41
16
3
0
43
400
4799
126
Propane
47
0
38
0
44
0
0
0
0
35
0
0
14
164
14
Rallies
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Satellite TV
67
73
80
80
75
79
79
80
84
76
75
80
77
928
61
Hotels & Vacation
40
80
0
-40
512
0
0
3258
0
0
938
0
399
4788
145
Toll Roads/Parking
50
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
50
5
(9) TOTAL:
2,675
2,803
2,724
3,527
1,931
2,422
4,076
4,206
1,222
1,852
2,378
2,803
$2,718
$32,619
$2,441

Notes:
1. Includes all fees paid to a campground, RV park and resorts. Boondocking and workamping keeps this expense under control.
2. We have 2 cell phones, using shared 800 minutes per month.
3. We're helping to pay our daughter's community college tuition and books.
4. Includes all admissions, parking, and entrance fees to tourist attractions, movies, and other site seeing attractions.
5. Everything purchased at a grocery store. Includes food, personal items, cleaning supplies, and liquor.
6. Our business class HughesNet satellite service.
7. Includes annual fee, as well as monthly postage fees to forward our mail.
8. Memberships to SAM's Club, Escapee's RV club, Elks club, and Workampers.
9. Listed expenses DO NOT include motorhome payments, income taxes, and depreciation on the vehicles.


2007 EXPENSES:

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Monthly Average
2007 Total
Avg Since Starting Fulltime
Barber
30
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
25
5
55
9
Camp Fees (1)
136
359
869
0
0
0
0
0
0
297
514
130
192
2305
199
Cell Phone (2)
90
90
90
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
91
1089
91
Clothing
75
32
0
59
24
15
0
0
0
151
12
43
34
411
32
Dining Out
200
183
211
107
66
130
137
190
119
443
265
149
183
2200
196
Education Books (3)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
13
Education Fees (3)
0
0
0
0
0
604
0
0
0
0
835
0
120
1439
79
Entertainment (4)
12
0
8
0
0
0
32
0
0
0
118
0
14
170
40
Fuel - Jeep
95
187
158
37
0
67
0
64
0
47
194
139
82
988
109
Fuel - MH
69
396
315
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
585
0
114
1365
193
Gifts
25
15
24
0
0
77
0
0
22
68
116
342
57
689
79
Groceries (5)
148
487
447
282
463
539
381
341
273
533
324
626
404
4844
414
Hobbies
5
25
30
0
0
0
26
0
40
116
71
65
32
378
44
Household
51
43
0
97
27
82
15
33
0
4
89
158
50
599
97
Insurance - Jeep
0
0
0
742
25
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
64
767
76
Insurance - MH
0
0
0
926
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
78
932
80
Internet (6)
0
0
290
0
0
290
0
0
290
0
0
290
97
1160
105
Laundry
12
0
6
8
24
10
0
0
0
12
0
0
6
72
17
License - Jeep
57
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
57
9
License - MH
146
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
146
16
Mail Service (7)
0
0
0
0
0
50
0
105
0
0
0
50
17
205
18
Maint & Repair - Jeep
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
61
Maint & Repair - MH
17
3648
50
0
0
0
0
0
0
525
-341
0
325
3899
162
Medical Costs
6
61
0
52
0
0
0
15
0
0
0
0
11
134
24
Memberships (8)
0
65
0
0
0
30
0
0
0
0
0
15
9
110
17
Motorhome Improvements
5
0
0
0
0
0
129
0
0
0
0
95
19
229
34
Propane
40
0
29
0
0
0
0
17
32
79
0
57
21
254
14
Rallies
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Satellite TV
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
63
57
679
56
Hotels & Vacation
0
552
0
0
0
312
0
121
0
259
0
0
104
1244
61
Toll Roads/Parking
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
34
0
3
34
5
(9) TOTAL:
1,275
6,199
2,583
2,457
782
2,353
867
1,033
923
2,681
2,963
2,338
$2,205
$26,454
$2,349

Notes:
1. Includes all fees paid to a campground, RV park and resorts. Boondocking and workamping keeps this expense under control.
2. We have 2 cell phones, using shared 800 minutes per month.
3. We're helping to pay our daughter's community college tuition and books.
4. Includes all admissions, parking, and entrance fees to tourist attractions, movies, and other site seeing attractions.
5. Everything purchased at a grocery store. Includes food, personal items, cleaning supplies, and liquor.
6. Our business class HughesNet satellite service.
7. Includes annual fee, as well as monthly postage fees to forward our mail.
8. Memberships to SAM's Club, Escapee's RV club, Elks club, and Workampers.
9. Listed expenses DO NOT include motorhome payments, income taxes, and depreciation on the vehicles.


2006 EXPENSES:

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Monthly Average
2006 Total
Avg Since Starting Fulltime
Barber
0
30
0
30
0
35
0
0
0
31
0
65
16
191
12
Camp Fees (1)
406
217
371
374
498
200
0
0
0
747
0
189
250
3002
203
Cell Phone (2)
92
92
92
93
93
93
91
90
90
90
90
90
91
1096
92
Clothing
0
0
7
0
99
19
55
0
0
0
100
13
24
293
31
Dining Out
236
178
157
159
190
196
154
149
199
158
115
295
182
2186
202
Education Books (3)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
19
Education Fees (3)
0
0
0
0
0
325
0
0
0
0
0
614
78
939
58
Entertainment (4)
69
78
44
93
42
24
23
18
16
339
4
0
63
750
52
Fuel - Jeep
72
219
143
150
159
164
105
77
89
62
50
121
118
1411
122
Fuel - MH
488
221
524
319
0
673
0
0
0
706
0
432
280
3363
232
Gifts
60
26
0
65
373
27
0
16
83
61
286
350
112
1347
90
Groceries (5)
475
260
561
387
386
717
462
293
226
452
495
454
431
5168
419
Hobbies
9
83
58
179
20
0
6
32
56
0
20
0
39
463
51
Household
242
714
41
113
60
15
0
105
12
0
77
53
119
1432
120
Insurance - Jeep
0
0
824
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
69
824
81
Insurance - MH
0
0
868
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
72
868
82
Internet (6)
0
0
290
0
0
290
0
0
290
0
0
290
97
1160
109
Laundry
20
29
0
15
0
20
54
26
24
16
40
0
20
244
22
License - Jeep
0
0
13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
13
12
License - MH
0
0
13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
13
18
Mail Service (7)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
155
0
0
0
0
13
155
19
Maint & Repair - Jeep
0
0
0
0
159
1197
0
0
9
0
50
14
119
1429
91
Maint & Repair - MH
749
21
12
0
0
42
10
0
0
0
52
930
151
1816
80
Medical Costs
0
21
70
0
0
38
0
86
9
0
27
0
21
251
31
Memberships (8)
0
0
74
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
74
21
Motorhome Improvements
0
0
0
120
0
19
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
139
42
Propane
23
27
0
29
0
0
0
0
0
29
0
0
9
108
10
Rallies
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Satellite TV
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
56
672
56
Hotels & Vacation
0
0
0
0
325
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
27
325
39
Toll Roads/Parking
13
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
17
0
60
8
90
8
(9) TOTAL:
3,010
2,272
4,218
2,182
2,460
4,150
1,016
1,103
1,159
2,764
1,462
4,026
$2,485
$29,822
$2,423

Notes:
1. Includes all fees paid to a campground, RV park and resorts. Boondocking and workamping keeps this expense under control.
2. We have 2 cell phones, using shared 800 minutes per month.
3. We're helping to pay our daughter's community college tuition and books.
4. Includes all admissions, parking, and entrance fees to tourist attractions, movies, and other site seeing attractions.
5. Everything purchased at a grocery store. Includes food, personal items, cleaning supplies, and liquor.
6. Our business class HughesNet satellite service.
7. Includes annual fee, as well as monthly postage fees to forward our mail.
8. Memberships to Escapee's RV club, Elks club, and Workampers.
9. Listed expenses DO NOT include motorhome payments, income taxes, our daughter's wedding expenses, and depreciation on the vehicles.


2005 EXPENSES:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Monthly Average

2005 Total

Avg Since Starting Fulltime

Barber

47

0

14

0

18

0

16

0

0

0

0

0

$8

$94

$8

Camp Fees (1)

33

194

331

352

0

0

0

0

0

544

350

60

$155

$1,864

$155

Cell Phone (2)

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

92

93

92

$92

$1,105

$92

Clothing

0

54

0

0

84

0

34

21

0

142

51

58

$37

$444

$37

Dining Out

189

168

214

276

45

214

146

205

357

305

291

256

$222

$2,664

$222

Education Books (3)

451

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$38

$451

$38

Education Fees (3)

0

0

3

180

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

285

$39

$462

$39

Entertainment (4)

0

0

28

75

0

63

27

103

181

0

20

11

$42

$507

$42

Fuel - Jeep

102

105

128

136

58

51

84

80

353

220

88

106

$126

$1,509

$126

Fuel - MH

0

579

367

499

0

0

0

0

0

764

0

0

$184

$2,210

$184

Gifts

55

15

0

56

30

0

0

45

7

62

378

161

$67

$809

$67

Groceries (5)

430

492

315

361

477

402

402

358

306

511

357

479

$408

$4,890

$408

Hobbies

68

0

29

0

58

22

139

0

74

300

39

27

$63

$756

$63

Household

92

184

453

123

70

28

98

10

61

72

131

134

$121

$1,456

$121

Insurance - Jeep

98

98

98

834

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$94

$1,128

$94

Insurance - MH

0

367

0

974

-252

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$91

$1,089

$91

Internet (6)

290

0

290

0

0

290

0

0

290

0

0

290

$121

$1,448

$121

Laundry

4

0

18

29

37

40

46

42

22

17

18

10

$24

$283

$24

License - Jeep

0

182

14

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

68

$22

$264

$22

License - MH

0

261

14

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

145

$35

$419

$35

Mail Service (7)

0

0

0

0

100

0

0

105

0

0

0

100

$25

$305

$25

Maint & Repair - Jeep

1

268

360

8

0

0

0

0

32

82

0

0

$63

$751

$63

Maint & Repair - MH

9

0

83

0

0

0

0

0

13

0

0

0

$9

$105

$9

Medical Costs

-199

12

30

12

0

8

51

6

33

236

244

60

$41

$493

$41

Memberships (8)

85

84

0

0

0

0

165

0

99

0

0

0

$36

$433

$36

Motorhome Improvements

214

664

-36

0

17

0

0

0

13

0

0

0

$73

$873

$73

Propane

52

25

0

0

31

0

0

0

29

0

0

0

$12

$138

$12

Rallies

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

$-

$-

$-

Satellite TV

54

54

56

56

56

56

56

56

56

56

56

56

$56

$669

$56

Travel / Vacation

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

400

211

0

0

$51

$611

$51

(9) TOTAL:

2,166

3,898

2,892

4,063

923

1,265

1,355

1,123

2,419

3,614

2,116

2,398

$2,353

$28,231

$2,353

Notes:
1. Includes all fees paid to a campground, RV park and resorts. Boondocking and workamping keeps this expense under control.
2. We have 2 cell phones, using shared 800 minutes per month.
3. We're helping to pay our daughter's community college tuition and books.
4. Includes all admissions, parking, and entrance fees to tourist attractions, movies, and other site seeing attractions.
5. Everything purchased at a grocery store. Includes food, personal items, cleaning supplies, and liquor.
6. Our business class DirecWay satellite service.
7. Includes annual fee, as well as monthly postage fees to forward our mail.
8. Memberships to Escapee's RV club, Elks club, SAM's club, and Workampers.
9. Listed expenses DO NOT include motorhome payments, income taxes, and depreciation on the vehicles.

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