We spent a total of $2,182 CAD ($1,762 USD, €1,525) for the month. The unexpected parts were mostly still related to getting our bikes from Canada to where Max was located. But, we also are going to have to up the budget a little for fuel, LPG (propane gas) and campgrounds, all of which were higher than originally planned. Here's how it all broke down...
Note, the following figures are all in $CAD...
Fuel: I'm sure everyone is aware that the price of fuel had risen dramatically over the past six weeks, and it's no different here in Europe. We did quite a lot of driving during the month... from Dulmen, Germany to Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. We spent a total of $309 on fuel. Despite the price of fuel, we continue to be impressed with Max's fuel economy which seems to average about 9.0 liters/100 kms (26.1 mpg).
Toll roads: $34 on toll roads.
LPG: Along with all other fuels, propane has also risen in price. We had totally empty tanks when we first arrived in Germany, so we filled them then, and we have refilled them again since. Total cost was $71. And it's been chilly in the evening and overnight, and using the furnace uses quite a lot of gas.
Groceries: We continue to be amazed that our grocery costs aren't higher. We spent a total of $469, which is really good considering the fridge was totally empty when we arrived October 1st.
Meals out: We don't eat out very often to begin with, but that will probably increase a little as we start to get into countries where it is cheaper to do so. We spent $33.82 eating out.
Alcohol: About average, at $137.
Miscellaneous: Higher than expected, at $573. A big chunk of that ($265) is our Heymondo travel medical insurance, (You get 5% off for clicking through that link), but we also spent $124 on cellular access to keep in touch with you all, and $112 on bike storage and airport parking when we went back to Frankfurt airport to pick up the bikes. And of course some smaller amounts for laundry etc.
Entertainment: Only $67 out of pocket, but that's a little misleading because my mother had given us some Christmas/birthday money that went towards some of our tours and entrance fees that we paid.
Overnight: Higher than planned, at $253. We paid for 11 nights of camping, and the rest was free. Not bad, but still higher than we planned. There are several reasons behind that. It's been cold overnight, and being plugged into electric makes it easier on our batteries and LPG usage. There were quite a few places we traveled through where free camping is against the law. And when visiting cities, we prefer to pay rather than worry about whether Max and his contents are safe to leave alone.
Travel: $235 to take the train from Frankfurt airport to Dulmen, Germany.
Not a bad month, but now that we're traveling full time in Max for the next several months, our expectations are to be around the $1,700 CAD ($1,375 USD, €1,180) per month mark, give or take $100 either way.
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Apple iMac Desktop. Record low price.
And in Canada...
Hey, just to let you know, I used your link to Heymondo and received the much appreciated 5% so THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Ron, we are glad that we were able to help you save a bit of money. Have a great trip to where ever you are going. :-)
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