How much do you need?

bill12 · Guru

How much do you need?

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Bill - that question is pretty hard to answer - there are so many variables - caravan park fees, free camping, cost of food, and petrol - some weeks we spend all the budget, others hardly anything at all. We manage to save some as well - we are on pension. We manage quite well - sitting in free camp for last 2 days, pension tomorrow - and of course you can get wrok on the road, I know you are a pretty handy man - lots of people do work through the grey nomad season up north, at caravan parks etc., then travel the rest of the time. Know of some guys who bring tools with them, and do small odd jobs for people in free camps - you know - change washers, fix steps etc - met a guy in Kalgoorlie once, he was cleaning the bbq's and emptying rubish, for his camp site -

Got to get out and do it mate - the best life possible!!!!

jetj · Guru

I spent 2 weeks in a beautiful sea and riverside town, free camped and cooked stuff from the supermarket for meals and it cost me very very little. Go to the same place and pay $27 a night in the CP eat in restaurants, different story.

I think you can live on a little or a lot.

bill12 · Guru

Yes, I can see what you mean. Selling the business is a big thing for me. The future is uncertain, but that could be a good thing. I could do with a bit of adventure.It be good fun to try. Bill

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Adventure is the name of the game Bill - we wake up every day and ask each other what adventures we are going to have today.

blaze · Guru

Hi Bill
seems to be plenty of work about if you are prepared to ave a go. Since jan 2011 I have been a labouror on a building site, night manager at a caravan park, maintanece co-ordinator at an age care facility, body builder (setting hire vehicles for mine use), not the mussel boilding type. We have also got our sign writing gear and nearly enough tools to do van repairs and maintance. My better half works in age care and they nearly chase her.
ceers
blaze

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Before I retired, a bloke at work told me his way of working our how much you can live on. I followed his advice and it worked...

Look at what its going to cost you to survive- how much do you pay per month for food x 12
council rates
water, electricity and gas
rent/mortgage
medical/ pharmacy
gifts
car cost including services, rego, fuel
insurances,
clothes
pets, food and vet
alcohol
sports
newspapers, magazines........................

Everything you can think of that you would spend in a normal year. Then add in dreams, like 1 night in 4 in a CP, 500 kms worth of fuel per month, annual subscription to the ballet or opera.

add at least $1000 for extras- then divide by 12.
That gives you what you need to survive.

NeilandRaine · Guru

We work on a budget of $200 for fuel, $200 for Food and $200 for caravan parks a fortnight. sometimes peter robs from paul but it usually works.
It was very stretched, even broke going up the centre tho.
We try not to travel more than 100 k a day and if we do then we stop for an extra day or two at free camps.
Nothing really works in the end.

Anvid · Veteran Member

When I retired last year on a minimum pension my wife and I started house-sitting. There is a web site that offered membership for $65 a year and we joined that. We offered our services several times and at other times, people contacted us. - http://www.aussiehousesitters.com.au/

Our only stipulation was that we would house-sit for a minimum of 6-weeks. That didnt seem to be any problem as most of the sits were for 8-weeks and the next one is 15-weeks. We have looked after cats, dogs, fish and possibly a commercial aviary in the future. We live in and look after the house, gardens and often a swimming pool.

While house-sitting, we have lots of time to explore the nearby areas as well as participate in senior activities like Probus, Church and community events. We enjoy mixing with people.

This is a very economical way life as our expenses are mainly for our food and incidentals. We believe that it is better than free camping. I trust this might give you some further idea .. biggrin biggrin

Beth54 · Guru

Bill, I don't think you'll have any trouble picking up work when you need it. You're a man of many talents, and you're in good nick...for your age... wink

Cruising Granny · Guru

You'll do very well on the road I reckon Bill. The biggest expense is fuel. Even living in van parks is not much more, and can even be less than renting in the 'burbs or paying the mortgage. It really is economical living. I currently pay $168 per week including power. Some parks charge extra for power, but the rent would be cheaper.
If you're selling a business, used wisely it could be your super, or your "diesel fund". You can park up for a few days or a whole fortnight while you kick back in a new place and explore its surroundings. You'll have plenty of time.
Just this evening I was offered a job of polishing a park cabin they're renovating. Yes, I said "polishing". It's aluminium with very thin paint, so it has to be done by hand, but I don't think my hands are up to it.
So if you've got nothing to do for a few days, there's a park home that needs polishing here in Adelaide.
I made the mistake of telling this guy I used to detail cars, but my arms are much older now.
There will always be someone around who need a job done here and there. Even in caravan parks, they often use inmates, opps, tenants as employees to do jobs around the place. Maintenance, gardening, repairs to stuff - you get the idea.
It's just a matter of setting out. Taking that first step and pacing yourself. (sorry about the pun).

Gerty Dancer · Guru

If you can catch your own bait you shouldnt have too many expenses Bill! smile smile smile
The thing is to have some money in reserve for unexpected emergencies... a simple thing like a broken tooth can end up costing $300... not to mention things that break on your vehicle!
Volunteering will give you free accommodation and good experience for the next paid job, and I'm sure theres heaps of things you can do to earn a casual dollar.

-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Thursday 19th of July 2012 09:51:52 AM

bill12 · Guru

Thanks for the advice, and complements from Beth. I was sort of budjeting on $300 a week, plus the odd dollar from working. Now all I have to do is sell the boat, rent the house, etc.My sister says I have to stop and smeel the roses, as I do too many miles when I,m on the road.Hopefully , it will all come together in about October.Thanks, Bill

Beth54 · Guru

Your sister is right Bill. Must nicer to take your time and when you find a place you like, kick back and catch a feed, put your feet up, and read a book, or whatever else you fancy.

And of course, you've got another bit of income by renting out your house. wink

CG, you really are a jack of all trades aren't you! AND a master...oops, mistress...of several!

bill12 · Guru

I have some super , but not enough to retire on. I am trying to get a military pension , with the help of the RSL, but the govt thinks I am too healthy! You have to be 40% disabled, and I am only 20%, according to their doctors.I like to work, a bit, and can,t sit around doing nothing for any period of time,So it should be reasonabley easy to get work, now and again.Its either working for another 8 years, or doing some part time work.The part time looks good. Thanks for your views. Bill

jules47 · The Happy Helper

So - we will see you out on the road soon Bill - we are back at Rollingstone - possibly head north tomorrow or next day - free camps can save you buckets of money, and Townsville has a great assortment - much appreciated by all who use them.

bill12 · Guru

I am too busy catching big fish, but will be on the road soon, by hook or by crook.At least the weather has come good. See you on the road , soon. Bill

Bluemoon501 · Member

G'day Bill,

You specifically asked how much one needs to survive on the road. Of course to survive one needs very little. We have met people living in cars who are surviving but it is not a choice of lifestyle they actually want. Everyone's expectations, needs and lifestyle are different so no one size fits all. The advice from Rip & Rosie is a good place to start if you don't know what you are spending at present.

In my view if you are serious about setting a budget then it is important to include all items not just food, fuel and CPs costs. With all due respects I think it would be difficult to live a reasonable lifestyle on $300 per week (that's less than the basic pension) if you intended to do it for say 10-15 years.

We have been full time since September 2006 and as at today our average daily spend is $70.47 or $493 per week. Costs have increased over the years, in the first year our average daily spend was $60.42 or $422 per week.

Another way of looking at it is as a percentage of total expenditure. The following are a few categories and percentages of our expenditure since we have been full time.

Food - 22%

Vehicle maintenance - 17%, includes insurance and rego.

Fuel - 14%

Treats & tourist visits - 10%

Camping fees - 6%

Alcohol - 3%

Hope the above is useful and constructive.

Cheers

Mike

Beth54 · Guru

Bluemoon501 wrote:
G'day Bill,
You specifically asked how much one needs to survive on the road. Of course to survive one needs very little. We have met people living in cars who are surviving but it is not a choice of lifestyle they actually want. Everyone's expectations, needs and lifestyle are different so no one size fits all. The advice from Rip & Rosie is a good place to start if you don't know what you are spending at present.

In my view if you are serious about setting a budget then it is important to include all items not just food, fuel and CPs costs. With all due respects I think it would be difficult to live a reasonable lifestyle on $300 per week (that's less than the basic pension) if you intended to do it for say 10-15 years.

We have been full time since September 2006 and as at today our average daily spend is $70.47 or $493 per week. Costs have increased over the years, in the first year our average daily spend was $60.42 or $422 per week.

Another way of looking at it is as a percentage of total expenditure. The following are a few categories and percentages of our expenditure since we have been full time.
Food - 22%
Vehicle maintenance - 17%, includes insurance and rego.
Fuel - 14%
Treats & tourist visits - 10%
Camping fees - 6%
Alcohol - 3%

Hope the above is useful and constructive.

Cheers
Mike

That seems a good way to look at it Mike. You say we, so these figures are for two people, yes? Vehicle related costs would be the same for a single like me, but food and treats would be halved I guess. That's very helpful. Thanks.

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Bill, all the advice previously are excellent starting points. Below is a 'photo' of my spreadsheet in which I capture my known/expected costs - recorded in the way I expect, or know, they will occur - eg weekly, fortnightly, monthly etc. and then it projects them into an annual budget.

I have developed formulas within the spreadsheet to re-calculate the various costs into a fortnightly amount so that I can see whether I live comfortably, biggrin or need to find a bit of 'extra' money from somewhere to get through .

Hope it gives a further perspective.

Cheers - John

bill12 · Guru

$300 a week is what I get from interest, and if I rent the house I own, I would get above $500 a week after insurance and rates. I can still work as I am not completely useless and have a few saleable skills, as Beth knows. After 22 years in the terrorist, woops tourist industry, I need a break, and I seem to have the travel bug.I am good at fixing things, and keeping them going.Everywhere I go, people seem to offer me work, and I don,t mind helping.I need abit of adventure in my life. Bill

jetj · Guru

Hey Bill,
I class catching those big fish as an adventure.

bill12 · Guru

Thanks, but its like anything- if you do it all of the time, it gets boring in the end. Looking after the terorists gets on your nerves at times.Common sense is not all that common.I love fishing, and go on holidays to go fishing, but looking after tourists is not fun at times. Bill

Beth54 · Guru

I would liken looking after tourists to be like being a retail assistant, which I've done most of my life. By our age you are well and truly losing patience with stupid customers. doh wink

Cruising Granny · Guru

bill12 wrote:
$300 a week is what I get from interest, and if I rent the house I own, I would get above $500 a week after insurance and rates. I can still work as I am not completely useless and have a few saleable skills, as Beth knows. After 22 years in the terrorist, woops tourist industry, I need a break, and I seem to have the travel bug.I am good at fixing things, and keeping them going.Everywhere I go, people seem to offer me work, and I don,t mind helping.I need abit of adventure in my life. Bill

So now it's your turn to become a terrorist, oops, tourist. That's the way to go.