So... Was reading the thread about high charges in some camp grounds and got me thinking... ( I know, it hurts... I try not to do it too often!)
Anyway, seems a lot are free camping ( ideally, that is what we wish to do) so that will save on camp site fees.
I also realise the less you travel around the less you spend on fuel.
So what is a realistic weekly budget when mostly free camping and taking ones time?
(I know... How long is a piece of string!!) but would be interested in hearing how you are budgeting.
An acquaintance did the grey nomad thing a few years back and told me they were spending $50k a year!
Holy moly!!
jimricho said
03:13 PM Feb 1, 2013
Mostly similar to your budget at home plus caravan park fees (where applicable) and extra for fuel and maintenance to cover the additional distance travelled.
Gerty Dancer said
04:09 PM Feb 1, 2013
It really is the length of a piece of string Buffy, everybody is different. Yoeleven has been travelling on a pension for a little over12 months and has saved enough to by a used motorhome in that time. Others like things a bit less frugal but still manage on the pension. We like to go see whatever a place has to offer so tourism fees impact on our budget....others stay in 5-star caravan parks all the time. I met a lady who had bought an Argyle diamond as a souvenir, later she was shopping in Broome for pearls in the $20,000 range!!!! You have to work out what you want to do and how you like to travel.
wasn_me said
06:18 PM Feb 1, 2013
I believe the secret to any budget is less dollars going out than what's coming in (wish governments would take note). I don't live on the road, but try to get out there as much as possible. I'm not going to travel December, January any more (too hot, too many kids around, too costly, roads too busy, it seems to be a time for fuel companys, caravan parks etc. to rip people off). Even the best budgets can come unstuck, unforseen medical expenses etc. I'm a self funded retiree. The dropping of interest rates by the reserve bank makes a big difference to income when you've got the majority of your money in cash.
Soooo many variables.
Cheers Pete
grill n chill said
06:39 PM Feb 1, 2013
Hi wasn me. I can remember a good post from awhile ago that i thought it might help you.
Try the search feature and use words like " cost of" " budgets" ETC. Heaps of information and all good to be fpund here.
Peter
gst said
08:53 PM Feb 1, 2013
Well buffy61 I try to work on $200 a week for fuel and $400 for food and CP but I try to free camp 4 to 5 days a week if possible and this helps build up some extra cash in case you find some you want to stay for a while our last trip around Australia we came home with $3000
did a lot of free camping and cheap paid camping in $10-$15 cp or camping grounds so it can be done.
yeoeleven said
10:58 PM Feb 1, 2013
I have a budget of $50 per day usually but now it is $25 per day whilst I save up for a coaster but then I have been on the road since early July on this trip and I haven't seen the inside of a caravan park in that time.
So for me petrol and food are the main expenses, I don't buy alcohol or cigarettes but sometimes early model vans cost to keep on the road.
Last year I made a trip round Australia and went to Bali for a month whilst living on a pension. It all depends on the lifestyle you want to have, if you want it all then maybe you need a bigger budget.
John
Roving-Dutchy said
11:33 PM Feb 1, 2013
The only way is to get out on the road and keep records of what you spend, then if you start to run out of money you review your budget and start looking how to economise, everyone is different and for some the couples the age pension of approx $30,000 a year is enough to live comfortably whereas others cry poor on a budget of $60,000 I have friends that state they cannot live on a budget of less than $80,000. I think you just need to get out there and it will all fall into place, you will meet GreyNomad's who are getting by on far less than you and they will share the ways and means of how to get by on less and how much they are enjoying their travels around our great country with what they have. Cheers David
Griff said
01:24 AM Feb 2, 2013
G'day buffy61, For an upcoming 2 month pre-retirement holiday from Sydney to Birdsville, the Flinders Ranges and back I have budgeted $450/wk for fuel and camping fees. We will be free camping 2/3 nights a week and any extras will be tours/entry fees. Our normal $200/wk budget for food and other necessities of life (red wine and cheese) should be sufficient. After retirement during longer trips we should be able to reduce down to around $350/wk with longer free camp stops. At most of the places we go to there are normally pensioners as well, they tend to stay longer and travel at a more sedate pace to conserve fuel.
You have to work out what you want to do and how you like to travel.
I believe the secret to any budget is less dollars going out than what's coming in (wish governments would take note). I don't live on the road, but try to get out there as much as possible. I'm not going to travel December, January any more (too hot, too many kids around, too costly, roads too busy, it seems to be a time for fuel companys, caravan parks etc. to rip people off). Even the best budgets can come unstuck, unforseen medical expenses etc. I'm a self funded retiree. The dropping of interest rates by the reserve bank makes a big difference to income when you've got the majority of your money in cash.
Soooo many variables.
Cheers Pete
Hi wasn me. I can remember a good post from awhile ago that i thought it might help you.
http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t39730346/cost-of-caravanning/
Try the search feature and use words like " cost of" " budgets" ETC. Heaps of information and all good to be fpund here.
Peter
Well buffy61 I try to work on $200 a week for fuel and $400 for food and CP but I try to free camp 4 to 5 days a week if possible and this helps build up some extra cash in case you find some you want to stay for a while our last trip around Australia we came home with $3000
did a lot of free camping and cheap paid camping in $10-$15 cp or camping grounds so it can be done.
I have a budget of $50 per day usually but now it is $25 per day whilst I save up for a coaster but then I have been on the road since early July on this trip and I haven't seen the inside of a caravan park in that time.
So for me petrol and food are the main expenses, I don't buy alcohol or cigarettes but sometimes early model vans cost to keep on the road.
Last year I made a trip round Australia and went to Bali for a month whilst living on a pension. It all depends on the lifestyle you want to have, if you want it all then maybe you need a bigger budget.
John
I think you just need to get out there and it will all fall into place, you will meet GreyNomad's who are getting by on far less than you and they will share the ways and means of how to get by on less and how much they are enjoying their travels around our great country with what they have.
Cheers
David
Cheers
Dave