April Expenses

Well, looking at our expenses for the month of April... it's obvious that we're not in Mexico anymore!

But really, if it weren't for the fairly big repair bill, we would have had not a bad month. Given that things are pretty expensive here (compared to Mexico), and we have to add on approximately 40% to everything we buy here because of the weak Canadian dollar.

We spent $1,597 CAD ($1,133 USD) plus the repair bill. For a total of $3,649 CAD ($2,590 USD).

(Note, the following prices are all in $CAD. For $USD equivalent, subtract about 30%)

Here's how it all broke down...

Gasoline: We certainly bonused in this department! When we crossed the border from Mexico, we had purposely done so with a nearly empty fuel tank because fuel was quite a bit cheaper in Texas. It definitely seems odd to be able to fill the tank for less than a hundred bucks! We spent a total of $256 for the month, and still have well over half a tank to start off the month of May.

Propane: We bought a couple of those expensive (but convenient) 1 lb propane cylinders. The cost for two of them was $10.

Groceries: As I said, we're not in Mexico anymore! We spent a total of $573. On the bright side, we also didn't eat out at all during the month of April.

Meals out: Nothing. Zero. But, we ate out a lot while in Mexico, and Ruth is a good cook so we don't mind getting back to our regular meals. Still... we are missing Mexican street food already!

Alcohol: A little higher than normal, but only because of the poor exchange rate. Total of $225.

Miscellaneous: A total of $263... mostly for internet access. We now have two sources on the go. It costs money to keep in touch with you all! We spent $177 on cellular data between our Telcel Mexican provider and the Verizon one here in the U.S.. Also spent money on motorhome insurance and some new socks and underwear.

Entertainment: Hiking is free, and we certainly did a lot of that. The only thing we spent money on was our Texas State Parks pass at $100.

Overnight: Until they closed the Texas State Parks, we had spent a total of $170 for the month.

Motorhome: We spent $2,052 on repair and maintenance. Sherman has been pretty good to us over the last year and a half. When you consider that he's 25 years old with 128,000 miles (205,000 kms) on the ticker and we don't treat him gently, he's actually doing pretty good. In fact, in the entire 12 months of 2019, we only spent $650. So... not bad.

But, including the motorhome repairs, it was actually a pretty expensive month at $3,649 CAD ($2,590 USD). And, towards the end of the month of April we actually spent some more money (new cell phone and a few other things) but they arrived right at the end of the month and just to spread things out a bit they will be included in our May expenses.

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