Our plan has been to live off $32 per day, with a separate gas fund. We did SO well at first- several days we were well under that amount! However, once we hit California, the budget went downhill. I mean WAY downhill. Not only was everything more expensive (milk that I would get in Austin for $2.50 was $4.50 in CA!), but also we were staying with Derik's friends and the peer pressure is real. When you're with friends, it's so easy to say "Yea sure! Why not!?" to going out all the time. So, no regrets. There will still be days that we spend less and the budget will even out.
So, back to our GOOD budget days- how did/do we live off $32 a day while traveling?
-Have a budget mindset. We have to be conscious of every dollar we spend. Do we really need that? Is that a long-term satisfying purchase or an impulse buy?
-Using a budget app (Travel Wallet) This helps us to see and track exactly how much we're spending, how much we have left over, and our average spending as a whole.
-Splitting meals. We're already used to splitting meals when we go out to eat (most places serve way too much for one person), so we continue that at almost every restaurant.
-Never splurging on breakfast. $1 fast food items or buying bananas.
-Cheap, non-perishable grocery shopping. We buy canned foods, bread, peanut butter, etc. Things we can keep on hand but won't go bad in the car.
-Coffee. We purchased a french press for $5 at a yard sale, and use it to make coffee on the road. Almost every gas station has a hot water spout near the coffee. We use that hot water and ground coffee (that we keep in the car) to make our coffee when we aren't able to make it at someone's home.
-Never spending money on lodging. Couchsurfing and staying with friends SAVED our budget. This takes a lot of planning, mostly last-minute, and flexibility. We planned several days of camping, but weather didn't allow it. We found ourselves looking for hosts last-minute several times over the weeks. But persistence is key, and we haven't been completely homeless yet ;)
-Free campsites via freecampsites.net and ioverlander app. These will show you all of the campsite in your area, including free ones. It also has descriptions and reviews for each campsite. Expert tip: Check the weather- Wind above 10 mph is likely not ideal for tents, and of course rain/cold also would be problematic. Expert tip part 2: the desert is hot during the day and COLD at night, so beware.
-Obtain a National Parks pass. It's usually worth it to get the pass if you are going to more than 2 or 3 (but check the prices for each park before to make sure it's worth it).
-Buy a big water jug and refill it at every rest stop. Never be short of water, and of course it's free!
As we finish off the road trip (it's day 26!), we are actually still within budget, despite some splurging. These budget strategies have worked for us, though they may not be ideal for everyone. Are there other budget tips that you use when traveling? Please share!
So, back to our GOOD budget days- how did/do we live off $32 a day while traveling?
-Have a budget mindset. We have to be conscious of every dollar we spend. Do we really need that? Is that a long-term satisfying purchase or an impulse buy?
-Using a budget app (Travel Wallet) This helps us to see and track exactly how much we're spending, how much we have left over, and our average spending as a whole.
-Splitting meals. We're already used to splitting meals when we go out to eat (most places serve way too much for one person), so we continue that at almost every restaurant.
-Never splurging on breakfast. $1 fast food items or buying bananas.
-Cheap, non-perishable grocery shopping. We buy canned foods, bread, peanut butter, etc. Things we can keep on hand but won't go bad in the car.
-Coffee. We purchased a french press for $5 at a yard sale, and use it to make coffee on the road. Almost every gas station has a hot water spout near the coffee. We use that hot water and ground coffee (that we keep in the car) to make our coffee when we aren't able to make it at someone's home.
-Never spending money on lodging. Couchsurfing and staying with friends SAVED our budget. This takes a lot of planning, mostly last-minute, and flexibility. We planned several days of camping, but weather didn't allow it. We found ourselves looking for hosts last-minute several times over the weeks. But persistence is key, and we haven't been completely homeless yet ;)
-Free campsites via freecampsites.net and ioverlander app. These will show you all of the campsite in your area, including free ones. It also has descriptions and reviews for each campsite. Expert tip: Check the weather- Wind above 10 mph is likely not ideal for tents, and of course rain/cold also would be problematic. Expert tip part 2: the desert is hot during the day and COLD at night, so beware.
-Obtain a National Parks pass. It's usually worth it to get the pass if you are going to more than 2 or 3 (but check the prices for each park before to make sure it's worth it).
-Buy a big water jug and refill it at every rest stop. Never be short of water, and of course it's free!
As we finish off the road trip (it's day 26!), we are actually still within budget, despite some splurging. These budget strategies have worked for us, though they may not be ideal for everyone. Are there other budget tips that you use when traveling? Please share!
Good for you! Sometimes, Olive Garden has a buy one, get one to go for free. Since you split meals, that would be 4 meals for the price of 1.
ReplyDeleteI always kept dried fruit, pnut butter and wheat thins in my pack cuz it is 3 food groups and the wheat thins don't break up in th bag much. Also any can with a pull ring to open it is grand. I have enjoyed following your trip.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDelete