The good news: I spent less this month! $185.48 less.
I drove 1,885 miles, visited three states, stayed in seven state parks, one Army Corps of Engineers park and two privately owned campgrounds. My nightly campground average was $18.91, which is $11.75 less per night than last month.
Let’s hear it for less!
Here’s the breakdown of where my money went in February.
- Other purchases $ 937.48
- Campgrounds 548.50
- Gas 308.50
- Groceries 272.41
- Tourism and Entertainment 126.64
- Truck 116.32
- Restaurants 71.56
- Trailer 69.96
- Laundry 12.00
- Food and Drink on-the-go 9.27
- Tolls and Parking 8.00
TOTAL $2.479.64
If you care to compare with last month’s expenses, you will notice a big jump in the category “Other Expenses”. That is due to a few big expenses. I filed my income tax with H&R Block. They charged me $480.75 for their services. While I appreciate having someone else do it for me, now that my income is less variable, I might just try file my own next year.
The other big expense was applying for a passport. Sometimes you just have to take care of things like that. That cost $136.25. I also had my cell phone bill come due. $178.29. I have Verizon with 20 GB of data, unlimited talk and text.
I had to have my oil changed this month, which was $102.32, including replacing the air filter.
I also walked across the border to get my teeth cleaned while I was in southern New Mexico. That was $40, including the antibiotics I have to take when I have dental work done. I kind of wonder if that was the usual price…but it was cheaper than my co-pay when my regular dentist takes care of me. And now I have clean teeth.
Do you suppose going to Mexico for dental work and lunch should be classified under tourism?
Apparently it’s a thing. (I was in the desert, though.)
What’s up for the coming month? Well, my water pump on Flo the Airstream needs to be fixed. Since I purchased an extended warrantee when I bought the trailer, that should run $100. A big bite is going to be the truck tires. I am looking at them and they look to me to be running on borrowed time. I expect to spend in the neighborhood of $1000 for the new rubber.
That’s the way the money goes…