March Expenses

March was another expensive month!

We spent a total of $4,987 CAD ($3,689 USD) for the month.

But while we really did spend that much money, it didn't feel that bad because much of the expenses had been paid in previous months. For example, we spent $2,567 CAD ($1,898 USD) on the airfare to fly daughter Lindsey and the grandkids to Morocco and back from their home in Nova Scotia, Canada.

But we actually booked those flights back in October of last year, and paid for them in November. So while we have expensed it during the month of March, it was already paid for. Same thing with the ferry back to Spain. We had paid for it when we bought the round trip ticket in January.

It was worth it having them with us!

So, without the airfare for Lindsey and the kids, we spent $2,420 CAD. Which is still above average, but certainly sounds better!

Here's how it all broke down... (the following figures are in $CAD)

Fuel: We spent $473 on diesel fuel for Max. We did a fair bit of driving for the month, plus we filled him up right towards the end of the month before we left Morocco, so we started April with pretty much a full tank.

Toll Roads: $276, but $222 of that was for our return ferry trip to Spain. 

Grocery: More than we expected, but as we've said previously, Morocco is no great bargain except for fruits and veggies. And of course we were feeding three other mouths at times during the two and a half weeks they were with us. We spent $645 on groceries.

Meals out: We did eat out a few times as well. Total of $184.

Alcohol: $175 on beer and wine.

Miscellaneous: Total of $165. Cellular data cost $64 for the month. Laundry was $25. I had a $20 speeding fine! And a few other minor things.

Entertainment: $80, mostly related to the cancelled camel ride trip into the desert.

Overnight: We stayed in campgrounds most nights. Fortunately, campgrounds are cheap in Morocco. Total of $187.

Motorhome: Our monthly expense of $235 is for Max's insurance and registration that was paid in full last year but expensed monthly to give you a more accurate idea of our monthly costs.

Travel: $2,567 for Lindsey and the kids flights.

So, we're only past the first quarter of the year and we've already spent $15,766! Yikes. That's enough of that kind of spending for now... the next four months are all going to average out to well under $1,800 a month.

In fact, our planned budget for April is $1,380!

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And in Canada...

Stand up Paddle Board.