January Expenses

Well, it was yet another higher than expected month. Although when I think about it, we really didn't know what to expect because we've never traveled this way in Mexico.

Because we make a contract income for leading the group, as part of the deal we are still responsible for paying our own fuel and toll fees. But some of those fuel and toll fees are expenses that we wouldn't have if we weren't leading the group because we don't travel the same way.

If we were on our own, we would have driven mostly free roads. Being with the caravan group, we travel on mostly toll roads... and we've never done that before so I don't think we quite realized how much that adds up.

And, we don't usually tour the entire country in three months. So our fuel costs are a lot higher on a monthly basis.

Let's have a look at the details...

Gasoline: Gasoline is now very expensive in Mexico, especially when you consider the average income. When we first began coming to Mexico, the price was around 7 pesos per liter. Now, it is around 17 pesos per liter. Sure, the Canadian dollar (CAD) has increased in value against the peso during that period, but not nearly enough to compensate. So the price per liter is now around the same as what we pay in Canada... $1.10 CAD per liter (about $3.60 USD per gallon).

We spent $870 CAD on fuel during the month of January. Yikes. (Keeping in mind that we probably lost $40 or so worth of fuel when we had that gas line leak).

2,650 kms (1,640 miles) driven in Mexico in January.

We drove 2,650 kms (1,640 miles) during the month of January. Far more than we normally would.

And much of that distance was on toll roads. We normally avoid the toll roads. Often, they aren't in the best of shape anyhow, and they are very expensive.

How expensive? Well that brings us to our next category.

Toll fees: We spent $303.50 on toll fees. Yikes again. 

Propane: We don't use very much propane. We're still on the same tankful that was filled up in Mission, Texas before we left. We spent $47.30 on propane, and that figure includes three of those little 1 lb Coleman disposable cylinders that we brought with us.

Grocery: Higher than expected, but this will average down over the next two months. We stocked up on some gluten free stuff, and Planters Mixed Nuts that I love. Total for the month was $393, which is not bad, but higher than what we normally spend in Mexico. February and March will be quite a bit lower.

Alcohol: At $202, again higher than normal but like the grocery department it should average down over the next two months. We stocked up on some wine before crossing the border. Wine is cheaper in the U.S. than it is in Mexico. Almost everything else (beer, scotch, tequila) is cheaper in Mexico.

Miscellaneous: Our new duvet cover and sheets ($158) are expensed here, so the month was a little high at $375. Other large expenses were our tourist visas ($71) and Mexico SIM card and cell charges ($42). Otherwise, not bad.

Entertainment: Very low, at $50. We would normally spend perhaps $100 a month in this category, but we have been out for a few meals and tours with the group, and part of our deal is that is covered for us. This is a benefit of the job, however it's sometimes touristy things that we wouldn't normally do on our own. 

Overnight: Our campground fees are covered while in Mexico. We spent $30 at the beginning of the month when it was so cold in Texas.

Motorhome: We spent $13 to repair Sherman's leaky fuel line.

So, total of $2,284. 

I am trying to reserve judgement until I see the final figures for the three month trip. But February and March will also be higher than normal because of fuel and toll fees.