Budgeting Archives - Our Next Rvadventure Adventure Blog Wed, 31 Jan 2024 04:15:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.3 https://ournextrvadventure.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-our-next-rvadventure-high-resolution-logo-32x32.png Budgeting Archives - Our Next Rvadventure 32 32 Natures Beauty Grand Teton National Park https://ournextrvadventure.com/natures-beauty-grand-teton-national-park/ https://ournextrvadventure.com/natures-beauty-grand-teton-national-park/#respond Sat, 27 Jan 2024 12:32:32 +0000 https://ournextrvadventure.com/?p=141 Grand Teton National Park, which is in the Rocky Mountains, offers a breath-taking example of nature’s grandeur. Renowned for its different environments, beautiful lakes, and glorious pinnacles, this Wyoming park is a well-known location for climbers, campers, and photographic artists. Grand Teton National Park is a truly stunning destination in the United States, and as ... Read more

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Grand Teton National Park, which is in the Rocky Mountains, offers a breath-taking example of nature’s grandeur. Renowned for its different environments, beautiful lakes, and glorious pinnacles, this Wyoming park is a well-known location for climbers, campers, and photographic artists. Grand Teton National Park is a truly stunning destination in the United States, and as we travel there, we will fully embrace its stunning landscapes, diverse animal life, and one-of-a-kind adventures. Let’s read below about “Natures Beauty Grand Teton National Park”.

A Tapestry of Peaks: Natures Beauty Grand Teton National Park

1. Grand Teton and the Cathedral Group:

The Great Teton, overshadowing the recreation area at an amazing 13,770 feet (4,197 meters), is the recreation area’s most noticeable component. A shocking horizon that never fails to flabbergast is shaped by an assortment of the Teton Reach’s best pinnacles known as the Basilica Gathering. Prominent tops in the recreation area incorporate Mount Owen and Teewinot, which upgrade the generally shocking displays.

2. Teton Range Geology:

The rugged peaks and glacial basins of the Teton Range are the result of millions of years of geological processes shaping the environment. As the mountains were being elevated by structural plate impacts, icy masses cut out profound gorge, abandoning U-formed valleys and lovely lakes. The captivating topographical history of the Teton Reach supplements the stunning regular magnificence of the recreation area.

Lakes and Waterways:

1. Jenny Lake:

Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park is a stunning jewel at the base of the Teton Range. Glacial masses cut it out. The tranquil lake is surrounded by breathtaking hills, making it an ideal location for outdoor activities. The peacefully, climbing trails, and boat administration across the lake are accessible to visitors.

2. Jackson Lake:

The park’s largest lake, Jackson Lake, spans fifteen kilometers and offers a stunning view of the Teton Range. They are ideal for boating, fishing, and other water sports due to their crystal-clear waters. The dawn and nightfall over the Tetons make an always mesmerizing display at Jackson Lake.

Wildlife Encounters:

1. Bison Herds:

Fantastic Teton Public Park is home to a few eminent natural life, including American buffalo. Seeing buffalo groups eat in the recreation area’s knolls makes a genuine Western feel. Untamed life encounters, for example, seeing these enormous animals in their local territory against the stunning Tetons setting, permit guests to associate with the district’s plentiful regular history.

2. Moose and Elk:

Visitors can see moose and elk in their natural habitats in the park’s diverse ecosystems. The mornings and evenings are when moose and elk are most active, foraging for food near water sources or grazing in fields. An air of magic emanates from the juxtaposition of the mesmerizing Tetons with the skeletal antlers.

3. Birdwatching:

Over 300 distinct bird species have been recorded in Grand Teton National Park, making it an ideal location for birdwatchers. Pelicans, trumpeter swans, and a wide variety of duck species flock to the lakes and marshes in large numbers. The park is home to many different kinds of birds, including raptors like bald eagles and ospreys.

Scenic Drives and Overlooks:

1. Teton Park Road:

Teton Park Street winds its direction through the recreation area, giving staggering vistas of the Teton Reach and the Snake Waterway. As you advance toward notable posts, trailheads, and natural life watching regions, take in the staggering scene. En route, drivers might take in dazzling scenes of the Tetons’ dynamic excellence.

2. Signal Mountain Summit:

For a stunning vista of the encompassing scene and the sum of the Teton Reach, it is an unquestionable necessity to climb Signal Mountain. A viewpoint that can be reached via Signal Mountain Summit Road offers breathtaking views of the park’s various environments. Any season of day, this is the best spot to see the sun rise or set.

Hiking Trails and Backcountry Adventures:

1. Cascade Canyon Trail:

As it goes through the core of the Teton Reach, the Fountain Gorge Trail is a famous course for explorers. The path starts at Jenny Lake and goes through lovely snow capped scenes, offering looks at untamed life, cascades, and the transcending slopes that encompass the gorge as it goes. The park’s stunning scenery captivates hikers throughout the entire hike, despite its difficulty.

2. Paintbrush Canyon and Lake Solitude:

An undeniably troublesome climb over bumpy landscape and wonderful glades might be found along the Paintbrush Gulch and Lake Isolation trail. The stunning Lake Solitude, which can be seen behind the majestic Tetons, will be visible at the race’s conclusion. This high-height experience will permit you to get very close with the recreation area’s snow capped biological systems.

3. Backcountry Camping:

Fantastic Teton Public Park offers boondocks setting up camp choices for people who need to interface with nature genuinely. Campers can truly escape into the solitude of the Tetons at any one of the permitted campsites; in any case, licenses are required. Hiking through the recreation area might allow one to interface with its regular magnificence.

Wildflower Blooms:

As wildflowers bloom, the alpine zones and meadows of Grand Teton National Park come to life in the summer with a rainbow of colors. Lupines and columbines, in the entirety of their dynamic, fragile brilliance, make a kaleidoscope of variety in the blossom game plan. Photographing the fleeting beauty of these alpine flowers is a passion for ecotourists and photographers alike.

Conservation and Preservation Efforts:

1. Grizzly Bear and Gray Wolf Reintroduction:

Grand Teton National Park has led conservation efforts by reintroducing numerous species, including grizzly bears and grey wolves. The jobs played by these top hunters make them indispensable to the recreation area’s nature. Seeing these mind blowing creatures right at home drives home the need of progressing preservation endeavors.

2. Leave No Trace Principles:

To watch out for Great Teton Public Park’s regular excellence, fundamental park guests adhere to the Leave No Follow rules. Limiting impact, recognizing creatures, and remaining on assigned trails are critical in safeguarding the recreation area’s environments for people in the future to appreciate.

Cultural and Historical Significance:

1. Native American Heritage:

The Bannock and the Shoshone are two of the Local American people group that have incredible social and verifiable importance to the Excellent Teton Public Park district. Taking into account the recreation area’s importance to native networks’ set of experiences and culture is an inescapable piece of each visit.

2. Historic Structures:

Numerous ancient structures in Grand Teton National Park bear witness to human settlement. Both the Cunningham Cabin, a farmhouse from the late 19th century, and the Chapel of the Transfiguration, which has a famous view of the Tetons through a large window behind the altar, provide a glimpse into the park’s past.

The Changing Seasons:

Stupendous Teton Public Park appears stunningly changed with each passing season. In stark contrast to the wildflower blooming and outdoor activities of the summer, the aspen trees, as they change color in the autumn, paint the landscape in gold and amber tones. Excellent Teton’s shocking scene goes through occasional changes, every one of which has its own remarkable appeal.

Tips for Visiting Grand Teton National Park:

1. Plan Ahead:

Research the recreation area’s attractions, trails, and different elements ahead of your visit. Ensure you don’t pass up anything by preparing of time so you can capitalize on your excursion.

2. Consider the Season:

Every season, the park has something new and exciting to offer. Assuming you carve out opportunity to find out about the evolving seasons, you might fit your visit to your inclinations, whether that is seeing fall foliage, winter snowscapes or summer wildflower sprouting.

3. Wildlife Safety:

Continuously avoid natural life. Recall when elk and bears sleep and while to carry optics to see untamed life.

4. Practice Leave No Trace:

You can lessen your impact on Mother Nature by adhering to the Leave No Trace guidelines. Remain on the assigned paths, get after yourself, and regard the recreation area’s local greenery.

5. Bring Essential Gear:

In view of your planned exercises, fundamental stuff for backwoods outings might incorporate. Yet are not restricted to, great climbing shoes, various layers of dress, sunscreen, and bear shower.

6. Check for Alerts and Closures:

Be on the lookout for any warnings, restrictions, or signs of road closures before you leave. To guarantee a smooth and pleasurable visit, be educated on park conditions.

7. Capture the Moments:

Bring your camera or cell phone if you have any desire to report the entire get-away, regardless of whether you’re an expert photographic artist. There is a wealth of picture operations at Amazing Teton Public Park.

Conclusion:

Here you might see every one of the lofty mountains, tranquil lakes, and different environments that make Terrific Teton Public Park so extraordinary. The recreation area’s various attractions welcome investigation and stand amazed at the untamed scenes that have dazzled people for ages. Whether you’re drawn to the impressive Great Teton or the shining Jenny Lake.

Set out on an otherworldly excursion to the focal point of nature’s loftiness by visiting Fabulous Teton Public Park; This is not simply a vacation. The always-moving seasons, shifted natural life, and stunning mountains weave a profound woven artwork. You will be a part of a long-standing tradition that honors and preserves the beauty of one of America’s most beloved national parks as you witness the breathtaking Tetons. I hope you like reading “Natures Beauty Grand Teton National Park”.

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How Much Did It Cost For Us To Travel Full-Time In Our RV The First Year? https://ournextrvadventure.com/how-much-did-it-cost-for-us-to-travel-full-time-in-our-first-year/ https://ournextrvadventure.com/how-much-did-it-cost-for-us-to-travel-full-time-in-our-first-year/#respond Tue, 19 Sep 2023 02:23:11 +0000 https://ournextrvadventure.com/2023/09/19/how-much-did-it-cost-for-us-to-travel-full-time-in-our-first-year/ As we were sitting around a campfire sharing stories of our travels with neighbors last month, the most prevailing question was, “How much does it cost to travel full-time?” It’s often the first question we hear from aspiring full-time rvers, and it’s arguably one of the most important. Our go to answer has always been, ... Read more

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As we were sitting around a campfire sharing stories of our travels with neighbors last month, the most prevailing question was, “How much does it cost to travel full-time?” It’s often the first question we hear from aspiring full-time rvers, and it’s arguably one of the most important. Our go to answer has always been, “As little or as much as you want to spend” because not everyone travels the same.

We are definitely not budgeting gurus but traveling full-time, being retired, and living on a fixed income has propelled us to be more cognizant of our bottom dollar. Most full-time travelers will tend to maintain the same level of lifestyle as they had when they lived in their sticks and bricks but change in spending habits is sometimes necessary to attain a balanced family budget.

We are going to preface this article by saying personal finances are just that, they are PERSONAL!! We debated long and hard about putting our finances out there for the world to see. We asked ourselves two prevailing questions: 1). Would this information have been beneficial to us prior to full-timing? 2). Will this information be beneficial to any of our readers who are contemplating traveling full-time? The answer to both of those questions was an overwhelmingly YES!!

To understand how we traveled this year might provide a better understanding of our numbers:

  • We visited fourteen (14) states and seven (7) National Parks
  • We drove 12,344 miles in the motorhome
  • We drove 10,691 miles in our truck
  • Spent 147 days in private campgrounds
  • Spent 46 days in state parks, corps of engineers, and national forests
  • Spent 120 days dry camping at friends/families, Cabelas, Bureau of Land Management, Sams Club, etc.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at our numbers.

Home Expenses

Accommodations

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $9600
  • Spent: $9843

We look at this category much like paying rent for an apartment. It includes our campground accommodations at private parks, state parks, corps of engineers, and national forests, which averaged $51 a night. This in most part had to do with the tourist areas we visited this year during the peak season: Estes Park, CO; Yellowstone NP; and Glacier NP were the most expensive.

In an effort to reduce this expenditure, we are adding 1000 watts of solar to Grizzly that will allow us to stay off-grid longer. We also use our RV memberships such as Good Sam, Passport America, and KOA to get discounts from 10%-50% off the daily rate. Another method of saving money is to stay in one location longer. The daily rate versus the weekly rate can mean a savings to upwards of 30%.

Cellular and Internet Service

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $2100
  • Spent: $2076

We have AT&T as our cellular and Internet service provider. Our cellular plan is for unlimited LTE and includes coverage in Mexico/Canada. We updated our phones this year to the iPhone XR and our budget reflects a $38 payment for Lana’s phone. For our Internet, we have an AT&T Netgear Nighthawk M1100 hotspot with unlimited LTE data for $24 a month. We pair this with our WeBoost cellular booster and Netgear MIMO antenna. We stream HULU, Netflix, and Prime Video, averaging 312gb a month.

Propane

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $960
  • Spent: $636

This category includes propane we use for cooking, on-demand hot water tank, furnace, and refrigerator when we are dry camping. It also includes propane for our Blackstone grill.

Transportation Expenses

Diesel (Motorhome)

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $7800
  • Spent: $4724

In our first year, we traveled 12,344 miles in our motorhome averaging a whopping 7.5 mpg. We used 1646 gallons of diesel at an average of $2.87 per gallon (Thank you Texas and Buc-ees). Grizzly does not use DEF, therefore, we do not have any additional costs.

Gas (Truck)

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $1800
  • Spent: $1505

This category includes gasoline for our 2017 Ram 1500 4×4 we tow behind the motorhome. We traveled 10,691 miles averaging 18.4 mpg, using 1505 gallons of gas at an average of $2.59 per gallon.

Insurance and Registration

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $4800
  • Spent: $4403

This category includes full-time RV insurance with personal liability/agreed value for our motorhome and auto insurance for our truck/car through Progressive Insurance. It also includes our registration fees for all three vehicles in the State of Florida. This cost will be reduced this year as we moved our autos to Allstate Insurance, saving us over $880 a year.

Maintenance

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $7800
  • Spent: $2276

This includes any maintenance done to the motorhome or autos to include preventive maintenance. We know this category is high but our motorhome is fourteen years old and will be expensive to fix if a major component breaks.

Health / Life Insurance

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $7800
  • Spent: $7584

This category includes our Healthshare through Christian Heathcare Ministries (CHM) and life insurance policies. I will preface this by saying we LOVE CHM!! We pay $300 a month for healthcare and they pay 100% for any claim over $500. Tracy’s post retirement healthcare costs were going to be $25,500 a year with the City of Lawrence ($1500 mo. premium with a $7500 deductible), which would cripple our dream of traveling full-time. We potentially save $21,900 a year with CHM. Yes, we have used CHM and yes they have paid 100% of our claims.

This category also includes life insurance premiums with Prudential Life Insurance and Gen Life.

Pet Care

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $1800
  • Spent: $1464

We travel with our two Bichon Frise’ fur babies. This category includes food, toys, vet visits, grooming, and any medicine.

Membership Fees

RV Club Memberships

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $160
  • Spent: $150

This category includes memberships to Good Sam, Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA), Passport America, and Escapees.

Living Expenses

Groceries

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $5400
  • Spent: $6024

This includes all of our groceries and farmers market purchases. We were slightly above our budget because we found ourselves eating at home more than dining out. We tend to shop more frequently at Trader Joes, Sprouts, Natural Grocers, and Wholesale Foods.

Dining Out

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $3000
  • Spent: $1644

We found the only time we were eating out was when our daughters visited us…hmmm.

Laundry

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $420
  • Spent: $300

This category includes detergent and necessities associated with doing laundry. We try to use our washer/dryer in the motorhome as often as possible but sometimes it was required to use a laundromat.

Mail Forwarding

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $420
  • Spent: $384

This category includes our mail forwarding address in Florida and monthly postage.

Entertainment

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $3600
  • Spent: $4332

This includes anything from going to the movies, whitewater rafting, zip lining, and tours.

Miscellaneous

  • Annual Budgeted Amount: $7200
  • Spent: $7564

This is like Tracy fitting into his high school jeans. If it doesn’t fit in any of the above category, it goes here.

Summary

As we mentioned before, each individual or couple will travel differently. We travel for the adventure, to see and do new things, to experience the unforgettable, and to make ever lasting memories.

For our first year, we think we did pretty well considering we jumped into this blindfolded. We over spent in a few categories and have a lot of adjustments to make in others. Our total first year expenses totaled $54,909 or roughly $4600 a month, almost $10,000 under budget. We hope to get our monthly numbers to under $4000.

What we did not include in our article was the accounts we have for a replacement vehicle, personal savings account, medical savings account, investments, gifts, birthdays, holidays, clothing, cash, and taxes as these will differ from individual to individual.

We also did not include the upgrades/updates we did to the Grizzly as that money came out an account we had initially set up to purchase the motorhome but saved during the price negotiation process. If you finance your RV, you will need to figure the monthly payment into your budget.

Since it was not RV related, the costs of our cruises and any related expenses were also not included.

We hope this article helps answer some of the questions you might have when setting your budget for traveling full-time in your RV. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to comment below or send us a private message and we will be happy to help you out.

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