Funding travelling on the road

fiddlestix · Member

Funding travelling on the road

Tony Bev · Guru

Hello fiddlestix

I am not sure that there is a generic costing for living on the road, using free camps 50% of the time
The reason I am not sure is that we are all different.

For example just to mention the cost of caravan parks, they are different prices in different areas of the country
There are also different prices in the same caravan park, in relation to an en suite, or normal sites

To use myself as a yardstick

Camping - I free camp most if not all the time, when I am on the road, this cost per week is usually between zero and donation payments

Food - I do not really calculate the cost of food as I have to eat no matter where I go, but it is perhaps 20% more per week than home base, as I like to patronise the smaller towns

Fuel - The cost per week will depend on price of diesel, in the area I travel through, plus how many kilometre I will do in a week
For example (I averaged over 8.5 kpl in the previous 25,000 kilometres)
I calculate fuel to be that I will get 8 kilometres for each litre I put in my tank

I have met and talked to travellers in free camps, who while receiving old age, or other pensions, live on the road full time
I have also met and talked to travellers, while stopping for a cuppa, in between towns, who would never dream of not staying in a caravan park

I have no idea what other peoples costs are

Sorry that I could not answer your question, except to say that I look upon every trip in three sections

I enjoy planning for the next trip, (where am I going and what will it cost, so that I can budget for it)
Enjoying the scenery as I travel along the road
And last but certainly not least, meeting new travellers along the way, and hopefully in the future, greeting those same travellers, when our paths cross again

slopenbeach · Newbie

I too am on defined benefits, retired at 55 but took 100% pension. Only got to live 12 years to be in front of taking a lump sum. With regard to living expenses we tend to free camp when travelling but caravan park when we want to be at a particular place. This year we have probably had 85% of time in caravan parks because the best weather has been on the coast. Had two trips of 14 weeks since retirement, covering 14000 and 16000 kms. We are still into exploring different places rather than sitting in the one place for an extended time. With regard to the costs have been surprised that we are not spending much more than at home - I estimate probably only about $1000 a month extra.

Tony Bev · Guru

Hello fiddlestix
It looks like slopenbeach has given you the answer you are looking for

Hello slopenbeach
May I be one of the first to welcome you to the forum
I also thank you for contributing information which will be useful to others

Ozzie_Traveller · Senior Member

G'day Fiddlestix

Last year's national survey by the Freedom Camping Australia mob surveyed campers in close to 200 'free-camps' and low-cost camping areas across Oz
Here's a link to their site if you want to sqwiz their stuff ... sites.google.com/site/FreedomCampingAustralia

The average spend recorded was $700pw which included low-cost / showgrounds where applicable - and that accom cost was about $60pw [inside the $700].
The max CP accom recorded was $840pw in a WA northern - coastal town

The range of weekly expenditure went from $300 to $1200 [excl air trips etc], so your costs could be anywhere in this range

Your costs will go up via CP fees, day trips & special events

Hope this helps
Phil

rockylizard · Guru

Gday...

Unfortunately we all have differing 'budgetary' needs and requirements cry

Whilst the attached spreadsheet is for calculating "The Big Lap" it is a good way to calculate your annual budget.

Just <TAB> through the sheet and populate what you know (or believe/think) your expenses/income will be.

This will be a good starting point to see if you can live as you want/like and still have a few bob left over each year.

Cheers - John

[edit: the numbers in the sheet now are sort of mine - just ignore then and overtype them with your figures]

-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 8th of October 2016 07:44:09 AM

brickies · Guru

We don't smoke ,drink or gamble, This can make a big difference to your cost , Have notice a lot of heavy smokers on the road this must be a big cost and maybe why some people can't afford caravan parks.

NeilandRaine · Guru

Out of 190 days this year, had 3 months off for family reasons we have:
Stayed in c/p or show ground for 119 nights at an average of 25.5 per night, over 190 days it is $16 per night. total $3025.30
Travelled 6966.5 k. used 1124.85 litres costing $1277.62 = 6.2 k per litre or 16.15 litres per 100 k.
Most paid per night $45 at Maroochydore Holiday Park
Most we paid for fuel is 124.9
Total costs $4302.92.
I don't factor in food entertainment etc. because I would do that if I was living in a house.
I don't have a house so no associated costs.
This years travels have been in Eastern states, no doubt if travelling more in the outback, which we prefer, costs would be higher

2007 PajeroÂ towing roughly 2 1/2 ton

-- Edited by NeilandRaine on Saturday 8th of October 2016 11:07:04 AM

Tony Bev · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
Gday...
Unfortunately we all have differing 'budgetary' needs and requirements
Whilst the attached spreadsheet is for calculating "The Big Lap" it is a good way to calculate your annual budget.
Just <TAB> through the sheet and populate what you know (or believe/think) your expenses/income will be.
This will be a good starting point to see if you can live as you want/like and still have a few bob left over each year.
Cheers - John
[edit: the numbers in the sheet now are sort of mine - just ignore then and overtype them with your figures]

-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 8th of October 2016 07:44:09 AM

Hello rockylizard

I have kept you Excel Spreadsheet, and saved it as coming from yourself

If I meet others on the road, or thinking of going on the road, who ask about a budget, with your permission, I shall pass it onto them, so thanks for that

Tony Bev · Guru

fiddlestix wrote:
hi it's probably done the rounds but I'm going to ask anyway as I'm about to cease work shortly at 56. My wife and I wanna do part time home and part time on the road I'm trying to work out costing for living on the road with 50% free camps. If anyone has done it can you please help me out. I don't want to work whilst travelling. I have a defined benefit super with a 10% pension option for my lifetime which I will take.

Hello fiddlestix

If you look at rockylizard post, he has put up a spreadsheet, where you can put your own intended cost in, and come up with what it would normally cost you, go on the road

I believe that this is a much better answer, than me saying that as we are all different there is no generic budget

With the spreadsheet you can find what it will cost you, for your particular lifestyle

Hope that this info is helpful to you

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

funny thing is .. over a month you may only spend $50 a day .. The following monh can be 3 times more .. NSW rego for example !! sorry not so funny ,,

Ron-D · Guru

Aus-Kiwi wrote:
funny thing is .. over a month you may only spend $50 a day .. The following monh can be 3 times more .. NSW rego for example !! sorry not so funny ,,

Did you have to bring that up !! biggrin