March expenses

March turned out to be the most expensive month of our six months in Mexico, but that was expected due to our one week in Mexico City, and our one week in Las Vegas. Total expenses came to $1,881.08 for March, but $797.60 of that was travel related in order to actually get to those two destinations.

Our six month average was $1,105.92, but that includes the last months travel expenses. If you take that out, we were at $960.95, nicely below our goal of $1,000 per month in total expenses.

Here’s the breakdown for March, as well as the monthly averages for the last six months…

Gasoline: We spent $172.20 in gasoline. $51 of that was put into our car rental in Las Vegas. Average for the last six months was $155 per month.

Toll Roads: $36.35 on toll highways to get from Valle de Bravo to Hacienda Contreras. Average month was $37.

Propane: We put $24.00 in the propane tank. Average was $21 per month.

Groceries: Despite quite a few restaurant meals in both Mexico City and Las Vegas, we still spent $205.09 for groceries during March. But $73 of that was in the last 3 days of the month so should make April that much cheaper. $205 is the average grocery bill for a month.

Alcohol: Right around budget at $121.27 for the month. Six month average is $118.

Miscellaneous: $187.75 for the month. For March, this is mostly because we spent $118 on clothing. Monthly average is $122.51 and includes anything from monthly internet to taxis and buses.

Entertainment: Considering this includes meals out in Vegas, it seems odd that we only spent $139.73 in this category. However it was appropriate that this is where I placed the credit of $205 cash that we got free from the Vegas casinos. Our monthly average is right on target at $100.

Overnight: Our expenses were $172.80 for March. Average over the last six months was $191, just below our budget of $200.

Motorhome expenses: $25.28 for a new faucet. Sherman hardly cost us any money in maintenance for the last six months. Monthly average is $10.

Travel: This is a new category that will be getting more use over the next few months. This is where we will be putting anything like airfare or long distance bus fare or car rental. We spent $797.60 in travel during the month of March. Six month average of $145 per month.

So the next few months will be interesting in the "expenses" department. April will be very cheap as we will just stay put. But there will be more travel expense in May and June as we fly to Canada in May, and to the UK in June and possibly Europe for the summer. But there will be less gasoline and overnight expense as we won’t have a vehicle and will be staying with relatives and using couchsurfing. Will we be able to do the UK and Europe for $1,000 a month? We’ll see…