Monday, January 6, 2020

BUDGET UPDATE - YEAR END 2019

2019 came in with a roar & went out with a roar! Time in Paradise is amazing! 

As a brief explanation for any new folks that might be reading this blog. Mike & I decided to call Puerto Vallarta, MX our home after living in 5 other Latin American countries and 11 towns/villages. (You can read all about our journey by going to the Archives listed on the bottom right of the blog page.) It's now been 5 full years, as of December 15, 2018, that we have lived here.

The posted budget/expenditures are for 2 people and are reflected in US Dollars, since that's the method we get paid in.

As of September 1, 2017, we moved up the hill into Amapas into a condo complex with 11 units and larger pool.  We more than doubled our space and our view increased 1000%. It's a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, fully furnished, with a very large outdoor terrace. We now pay rent in pesos, so our rent fluctuates monthly based on the bank exchange rate with the US Dollar.

As of our renewal lease on September 1, 2019, our increased rent of 19,800 pesos/month does not include internet, TV, or electric.  We pay for 50 mbp of download but get closer to 75 for internet.

As of June, I decided to make separate line items for all of our utilities rather than include them in our rental amount. Since we are paying for all of them, I thought it would be easier for people to understand.

Our Health Insurance is with VUMI.  It's a Global policy and covers everywhere in the world EXCEPT U.S.  We purchase travel insurance when we go to the U.S.  We have the VUMI Bronze policy with a $2,500 deductible.  We have no preexisting conditions. The premium is for both of us. We renewed August 1, so our premium will increase due to age. I'm 67 and Mike is 70.

Mike became the Chairperson for our local Democrats Abroad chapter. It's very active with about 900 members. This keeps him very busy, as we head into an election year. He also plays the bongos with the local ukulele group every week on the beach.

On November 18th, I celebrated the 5th anniversary of my starting the Facebook Group, Puerto Vallarta: Everything You Need or Want To Know. As of now, I have 53,700+ members from around the world in 121 countries. It's extremely active & takes up much of my time. a labor of love!

On December 15th, we celebrated our 6 year anniversary of living full time in Vallarta. Where the heck did it go?? So much to still enjoy.

Living Expenses: Jan Feb March April May June July August     Sept      Oct     Nov     Dec
Rent w/util (Int/TV)  $ 1,001  $ 1,027  $ 1,030  $ 1,044  $ 1,033  $    950  $    970  $    963  $ 1,023  $ 1,029  $ 1,067  $ 1,042
Electric CFE  $       11  $         7  $         8  $         9  $         7  $         9  $       22  $       23  $       36  $       25  $       24  $       16
Internet (TelMex)  $       31  $       32  $       31  $       31  $       30  $       32  $       32
TV (KS Hosting)  $         5  $         5  $         5  $         5  $         5  $         5  $         5
Cell Phone (TelCel)  $       20  $       22  $       22  $       56  $       27  $       22  $       26  $       23  $       25  $       25  $       27  $       26
Groceries  $    349  $    431  $       36  $    244  $    515  $    387  $    329  $    428  $    208  $    299  $    335
Meals Out  $    412  $    526  $    451  $    418  $    293  $    300  $    105  $    471  $    367  $    514  $    584  $    336
Drinks Only  $    343  $    218  $    122  $    111  $    148  $    120  $         8  $       77  $    103  $    137  $    247  $    295
Entertainment  $       90  $    281  $       22  $    109  $       44  $       25  $       97  $    116
Massages/Nails/Hair  $       80  $    103  $       70  $    121  $    137  $    103  $       95  $    172  $       56  $       85  $    148  $       78
Bus/Taxi/Uber  $    160  $       96  $    111  $    107  $    118  $    116  $       26  $    124  $       82  $       97  $    204  $    198
Dental   $       42  $    196  $       75  $       42
Incidentals  $    112  $    217  $       20  $    180  $       59  $       40  $       43  $       39  $       22  $       16  $       16  $       17
Medical Insurance  $    394  $    394  $    394  $    394  $    394  $    394  $    394  $    495  $    495  $    495  $    495  $    495
TOTAL  $ 2,882  $ 3,131  $ 2,545  $ 2,684  $ 2,773  $ 2,499  $ 1,835  $ 2,796  $ 2,869  $ 2,766  $ 3,245  $ 3,033  $   33,058
TOTAL W/O RENT  $ 1,881  $ 2,104  $ 1,515  $ 1,640  $ 1,740  $ 1,549  $    865  $ 1,833  $ 1,846  $ 1,737  $ 2,178  $ 1,991  $   20,879
Discr Spending:
Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $    145  $       79  $    364  $       40  $    137  $    566  $    262  $       90  $    280  $       43  $    207
Miscellaneous  $       83
Tours  $    165  $    188  $       50
Home Improve  $    544
Medical  $    100  $       20  $    271  **   **   $    176  $       40  $    130
Dental  $ 1,596  $    662  $    102
Trips/Vacations  $ 1,911  $    317  $ 3,400  $    475  $    268
TOTAL Discr.  $ 1,841  $    244  $ 2,295  $    311  $    799  $ 1,151  $ 4,142  $    352  $    565  $    548  $    173  $    290  $   12,711
TOTAL ALL  $ 4,723  $ 3,375  $ 4,840  $ 2,995  $ 3,572  $ 3,650  $ 5,977  $ 3,148  $ 3,434  $ 3,314  $ 3,418  $ 3,323  $   45,769


* Meals Out: Jan 20x; Feb 18x; Mar 17x; April 16x; May 10x; June 12x; July 5x; Aug 16x; Sept 12x; Oct 19x; Nov 19x; Dec 10x
* Drinks Only: Jan 21x; Feb 13x; Mar 10x; April 8x; May 9x; June 8x; July 1x; Aug 5x; Sept 5x; Oct 10x; Nov 17x; Dec 22x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 45x; Feb 29x; Mar 36x; April 35x; May 31x; June 32x; July 8x; Aug 39x; Sept 28x; Oct 32x; Nov 59x; Dec 60x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
January: Mike's new tooth implant plus friends visiting.
February: Excursions & Oscar Party plus out of town friends  
March: Friends visiting & a 12 day vacation to Queretero, San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato.
April: I had a colonoscopy ($345 all inclusive; some insurance reimbursement); my computer needed a new hard drive ($144), cell phone issues ($25).
May: 2 Costco grocery trips; Mike finished his dental implant & crown; Tricia had an ER trip, abdominal ultrasound, parasite test = all OK.
June: I continued to have stomach issues so back to SanMare clinic for an Endoscope ($387). Bingo! An infection so meds to kill it. Computer issues, cost of getting MX driver's license, & renewal of some computer programs pushed our budget. We did the Pirate Ship with friends.
July: Spent 3 weeks in the U.S.  All costs affiliated with the trip included in amount shown.
August: A full month at home spending time enjoying Vallarta with our full time friends.
September: Took a 4/3 trip with friends to Tequila & San Blas, MX. Our rent increased 10%.
October: My birthday month, so a few days were spent in Mayto, a small village south of Vallarta on the beach, with friends.  The other purpose of our trip to Mayto was to deliver a huge amount of aid to the small village of Garciano, where the 35 families lost everything inclding their water system. I also continued my treatment for TMJ with my dentist. We also made an acquisition of a beautiful glass lamp.
November: Town comes alive with the return of the snowbirds & the tourists begin to arrive as the weather turns cold in the rest of the world.
December: The theaters start to have openings. Christmas get togethers & parties. Christmas gifts for our younger grandchildren, donations of clothes & gifts for charity organizations. Plus, we celebrated our 19th wedding anniversary on NYE. A very busy month!

** All ER, meds, ultrasound, full cbc blood analysis, & endoscope were reimbursed in full by our medical insurance.

Sunday, October 6, 2019

BUDGET UPDATE - August & September, 2019

2019 came in with a roar! Time in Paradise is amazing!

As a brief explanation for any new folks that might be reading this blog. Mike & I decided to call Puerto Vallarta, MX our home after living in 5 other Latin American countries and 11 towns/villages. (You can read all about our journey by going to the Archives listed on the bottom right of the blog page.) It's now been 5 full years, as of December 15, 2018, that we have lived here.

The posted budget/expenditures are for 2 people and are reflected in US Dollars, since that's the method we get paid in.

As of September 1, 2017, we moved up the hill into Amapas into a condo complex with 11 units and larger pool.  We more than doubled our space and our view increased 1000%. It's a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, fully furnished, with a very large outdoor terrace. We now pay rent in pesos, so our rent fluctuates monthly based on the bank exchange rate with the US Dollar.

As of our renewal lease on September 1, 2019, our rent of 19,800 pesos/month does not include internet, TV, or electric.  We pay for 50 mbp of download but get closer to 75 for internet.

As of June, I decided to make separate line items for all of our utilities rather than include them in our rental amount. Since we are paying for all of them, I thought it would be easier for people to understand.

Our Health Insurance is with VUMI.  It's a Global policy and covers everywhere in the world EXCEPT U.S.  We purchase travel insurance when we go to the U.S.  We have the VUMI Bronze policy with a $2,500 deductible.  We have no preexisting conditions. The premium is for both of us. We renewed August 1, so our premium will increase due to age. I'm 67 and Mike is 70.



Living Expenses: January February    March      April       May       June        July   August September
Rent w/util (Int/TV)  $   1,001  $   1,027  $   1,030  $   1,044  $   1,033  $      950  $      970  $      963  $      1,023
Electric CFE  $        11  $          7  $          8  $          9  $         7   $          9  $        22  $        23  $           36
Internet (TelMex)  $        31  $        32  $        31  $           31
TV (KS Hosting)  $          5  $          5  $          5  $             5
Cell Phone (TelCel)  $        20  $        22  $        22  $        56  $        27  $        22  $        26  $        23  $           25
Groceries  $      349  $      431  $        36  $      244  $      515  $      387  $      329  $         428
Meals Out  $      412  $      526  $      451  $      418  $      293  $      300  $      105  $      471  $         367
Drinks Only  $      343  $      218  $      122  $      111  $      148  $      120  $          8  $        77  $         103
Entertainment  $        90  $      281  $        22  $      109  $        44
Massages/Nails/Hair  $        80  $      103  $        70  $      121  $      137  $      103  $        95  $      172  $           56
Bus/Taxi/Uber  $      160  $        96  $      111  $      107  $      118  $      116  $        26  $      124  $           82
Dental   $        42  $         196
Incidentals  $      112  $      217  $        20  $      180  $        59  $        40  $        43  $        39  $           22
Medical Insurance  $      394  $      394  $      394  $      394  $      394  $      394  $      394  $      495  $         495
TOTAL  $   2,882  $   3,131  $   2,545  $   2,684  $   2,773  $   2,499  $   1,835  $   2,796  $      2,869
TOTAL W/O RENT  $   1,881  $   2,104  $   1,515  $   1,640  $   1,740  $   1,549  $      865  $   1,833  $      1,846
Discr Spending:
Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $      145  $        79  $      364  $        40  $      137  $      566  $      262  $           90
Miscellaneous
Tours  $      165  $      188  $        50
Home Improve  $      544
Medical  $      100  $        20  $      271  **   **   $      176  $        40
Dental  $   1,596  $      662  $      102
Trips/Vacations  $   1,911  $      317  $   3,400  $         475
TOTAL Discr.  $   1,841  $      244  $   2,295  $      311  $      799  $   1,151  $   4,142  $      352  $         565
TOTAL ALL  $   4,723  $   3,375  $   4,840  $   2,995  $   3,572  $   3,650  $   5,977  $   3,148  $      3,434


* Meals Out: Jan 20x; Feb 18x; Mar 17x; April 16x; May 10x; June 12x; July 5x; Aug 16x; Sept 12x
* Drinks Only: Jan 21x; Feb 13x; Mar 10x; April 8x; May 9x; June 8x; July 1x; Aug 5x; Sept 5x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 45x; Feb 29x; Mar 36x; April 35x; May 31x; June 32x; July 8x; Aug 39x; Sept 28x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
January: Mike's new tooth implant plus friends visiting.
February: Excursions & Oscar Party plus out of town friends  
March: Friends visiting & a 12 day vacation to Queretero, San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato.
April: I had a colonoscopy ($345 all inclusive; some insurance reimbursement); my computer needed a new hard drive ($144), cell phone issues ($25).
May: 2 Costco grocery trips; Mike finished his dental implant & crown; Tricia had an ER trip, abdominal ultrasound, parasite test = all OK.
June: I continued to have stomach issues so back to SanMare clinic for an Endoscope ($387). Bingo! An infection so meds to kill it. Computer issues, cost of getting MX driver's license, & renewal of some computer programs pushed our budget. We did the Pirate Ship with friends.
July: Spent 3 weeks in the U.S.  All costs affiliated with the trip included in amount shown.
August: A full month at home spending time enjoying Vallarta with our full time friends.
September: Took a 4/3 trip with friends to Tequila & San Blas, MX. Our rent increased 10%.

** All ER, meds, ultrasound, full cbc blood analysis, & endoscope were reimbursed in full by our medical insurance.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

BUDGET UPDATE - June & July, 2019

2019 came in with a roar! Time in Paradise is amazing!

As a brief explanation for any new folks that might be reading this blog. Mike & I decided to call Puerto Vallarta, MX our home after living in 5 other Latin American countries and 11 towns/villages. (You can read all about our journey by going to the Archives listed on the bottom right of the blog page.) It's now been 5 full years, as of December 15, 2018, that we have lived here.

The posted budget/expenditures are for 2 people and are reflected in US Dollars, since that's the method we get paid in.

As of September 1, 2017, we moved up the hill into Amapas into a condo complex with 11 units and larger pool.  We more than doubled our space and our view increased 1000%. It's a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, fully furnished, with a very large outdoor terrace. We now pay rent in pesos, so our rent fluctuates monthly based on the bank exchange rate with the US Dollar.

As of our renewal lease on September 1, 2018, our rent of 18,000 pesos/month does not include internet, TV, or electric. Internet and TV are included in the amount shown under Rent. We pay for 50 mbp of download but get closer to 75. We pay a bit extra and switched from cable to RealTV streaming ($37).

As of June, I decided to make separate line items for all of our utilities rather than include them in our rental amount. Since we are paying for all of them, I thought it would be easier for people to understand.

Our Health Insurance is with VUMI.  It's a Global policy and covers everywhere in the world EXCEPT U.S.  We purchase travel insurance when we go to the U.S.  We have the Bronze policy with a $2,500 deductible.  We have no preexisting conditions. The premium is for both of us. We renewed August 1, so our premium will increase due to age. I'm 67 and Mike is 70.

Living Expenses: January February     March       April        May       June        July
Rent w/util (Int/TV)  $   1,001  $   1,027  $   1,030  $   1,044  $   1,033  $      950  $      970
Electric CFE  $        11  $          7  $         8   $          9  $          7  $          9  $        22
Internet (TelMex)  $        31  $        32
TV (KS Hosting)  $          5  $          5
Cell Phone (TelCel)  $        20  $        22  $        22  $        56  $        27  $        22  $        26
Groceries  $      349  $      431  $        36  $      244  $      515  $      387
Meals Out  $      412  $      526  $      451  $      418  $      293  $      300  $      105
Drinks Only  $      343  $      218  $      122  $      111  $      148  $      120  $          8
Entertainment  $        90  $      281  $        22  $      109
Massages/Nails/Hair  $        80  $      103  $        70  $      121  $      137  $      103  $        95
Bus/Taxi/Uber  $      160  $        96  $      111  $      107  $      118  $      116  $        26
Dental   $        42
Incidentals  $      112  $      217  $        20  $      180  $        59  $        40  $        43
Medical Insurance  $      394  $      394  $      394  $      394  $      394  $      394  $      394
TOTAL  $   2,882  $   3,131  $   2,545  $   2,684  $   2,773  $   2,499  $   1,835
TOTAL W/O RENT  $   1,881  $   2,104  $   1,515  $   1,640  $   1,740  $   1,549  $      865
Discr Spending:
Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $      145  $        79  $      364  $        40  $      137  $      566
Miscellaneous
Tours  $      165  $      188
Home Improve  $      544
Medical  $      100  $        20  $      271      **       **   $      176
Dental  $   1,596  $      662  $      102
Trips/Vacations  $   1,911  $      317  $   3,400
TOTAL Discr.  $   1,841  $      244  $   2,295  $      311  $      799  $   1,151  $   4,142
TOTAL ALL  $   4,723  $   3,375  $   4,840  $   2,995  $   3,572  $   3,650  $   5,977

* Meals Out: Jan 20x; Feb 18x; Mar 17x; April 16x;; May 10x; June 12x; July 5x
* Drinks Only: Jan 21x; Feb 13x; Mar 10x; April 8x; May 9x; June 8x; July 1x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 45x; Feb 29x; Mar 36x; April 35x; May 31x; June 32x; July 8x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
January: Mike's new tooth implant plus friends visiting.
February: Excursions & Oscar Party plus out of town friends  
March: Friends visiting & a 12 day vacation to Queretero, San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato.
April: I had a colonoscopy ($345 all inclusive; some insurance reimbursement); my computer needed a new hard drive ($144), cell phone issues ($25).
May: 2 Costco grocery trips; Mike finished his dental implant & crown; Tricia had an ER trip, abdominal ultrasound, parasite test = all OK.
June: I continued to have stomach issues so back to SanMare clinic for an Endoscope ($387). Bingo! An infection so meds to kill it. Computer issues, cost of getting MX driver's license, & renewal of some computer programs pushed our budget. We did the Pirate Ship with friends.
July: Spent 3 weeks in the U.S.  All costs affiliated with the trip included in amount shown.

** All ER, meds, ultrasound, full cbc blood analysis, & endoscope were reimbursed in full by our medical insurance.

Saturday, June 1, 2019

BUDGET UPDATE - May, 2019

2019 came in with a roar! Time in Paradise is amazing!

As a brief explanation for any new folks that might be reading this blog. Mike & I decided to call Puerto Vallarta, MX our home after living in 5 other Latin American countries and 11 towns/villages. (You can read all about our journey by going to the Archives listed on the bottom right of the blog page.) It's now been 5 full years, as of December 15, 2018, that we have lived here.

The posted budget/expenditures are for 2 people and are reflected in US Dollars, since that's the method we get paid in.

As of September 1, 2017, we moved up the hill into Amapas into a condo complex with 11 units and larger pool.  We more than doubled our space and our view increased 1000%. It's a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, fully furnished, with a very large outdoor terrace. We now pay rent in pesos, so our rent fluctuates monthly based on the bank exchange rate with the US Dollar.

As of our renewal lease on September 1, 2018, our rent of 18,000 pesos/month does not include internet, TV, or electric. Internet and TV are included in the amount shown under Rent. We pay for 50 mbp of download but get closer to 75. We pay a bit extra and switched from cable to RealTV streaming ($37).

Living Expenses:  January  February   March     April          May
Rent w/util (Int/TV)  $  1,001  $   1,027  $ 1,030  $ 1,044  $     1,033
Electric  $       11  $          7  $        8  $        9  $            7
Cell Phone  $       20  $        22  $      22  $      56  $          27
Groceries  $     349  $      431  $      36  $    244  $        515
Meals Out  $     412  $      526  $    451  $    418  $        293
Drinks Only  $     343  $      218  $    122  $    111  $        148
Entertainment  $        90  $    281
Massages/Nails/Hair  $       80  $      103  $      70  $    121  $        137
Bus/Taxi/Uber  $     160  $        96  $    111  $    107  $        118
Dental   $          42
Incidentals  $     112  $      217  $      20  $    180  $          59
Medical Insurance  $     394  $      394  $    394  $    394  $        394
TOTAL  $  2,882  $   3,131  $ 2,545  $ 2,684  $     2,773
TOTAL W/O RENT  $  1,881  $   2,104  $ 1,515  $ 1,640  $     1,740
Discr Spending:
Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $     145  $        79  $    364  $      40  $        137
Tours  $      165
Home Improve
Medical  $     100  $      20  $    271  $        188
Dental  $  1,596  $        662
Trips/Vacations  $ 1,911
TOTAL Discr.  $  1,841  $      244  $ 2,295  $    311  $        987
TOTAL ALL  $  4,723  $   3,375  $ 4,840  $ 2,995  $     3,760

* Meals Out: Jan 20x; Feb 18x; Mar 17x; April 16x;; May 10x
* Drinks Only: Jan 21x; Feb 13x; Mar 10x; April 8x; May 9x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 45x; Feb 29x; Mar 36x; April 35x; May 31x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
January: Mike's new tooth implant plus friends visiting.
February: Excursions & Oscar Party plus out of town friends  
March: Friends visiting & a 12 day vacation to Queretero, San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato.
April: I had a colonoscopy ($345 all inclusive; some insurance reimbursement); my computer needed a new hard drive ($144), cell phone issues ($25).
May: 2 Costco grocery trips; Mike finished his dental implant & crown; Tricia had an ER trip, abdominal ultrasound, parasite test = all OK. 

Saturday, May 4, 2019

BUDGET UPDATE - April, 2019

2019 came in with a roar! Time in Paradise is amazing!

As a brief explanation for any new folks that might be reading this blog. Mike & I decided to call Puerto Vallarta, MX our home after living in 5 other Latin American countries and 11 towns/villages. (You can read all about our journey by going to the Archives listed on the bottom right of the blog page.) It's now been 5 full years, as of December 15, 2018, that we have lived here.

The posted budget/expenditures are for 2 people and are reflected in US Dollars, since that's the method we get paid in.

As of September 1, 2017, we moved up the hill into Amapas into a condo complex with 11 units and larger pool.  We more than doubled our space and our view increased 1000%. It's a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, fully furnished, with a very large outdoor terrace. We now pay rent in pesos, so our rent fluctuates monthly based on the bank exchange rate with the US Dollar.

As of our renewal lease on September 1, 2018, our rent of 18,000 pesos/month does not include internet, TV, or electric. Internet and TV are included in the amount shown under Rent ($69). We pay for 50 mbp of download but get closer to 75. We pay a bit extra and switched from cable to RealTV streaming ($37).

Living Expenses:   January  February   March     April
Rent w/util  $  1,001  $   1,027  $ 1,030  $ 1,044
Electric  $       11  $          7  $        8  $        9
Cell Phone  $       20  $        22  $      22  $      56
Groceries  $     349  $      431  $      36  $    244
Meals Out  $     412  $      526  $    451  $    418
Drinks Only  $     343  $      218  $    122  $    111
Entertainment  $        90  $    281
Massages/Nails/Hair  $       80  $      103  $      70  $    121
Bus/Taxi/Uber  $     160  $        96  $    111  $    107
Dental 
Incidentals  $     112  $      217  $      20  $    180
Medical Insurance  $     394  $      394  $    394  $    394
TOTAL  $  2,882  $   3,131  $ 2,545  $ 2,684
TOTAL W/O RENT  $  1,881  $   2,104  $ 1,515  $ 1,640
Discretionary Spending:
Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $     145  $        79  $    364  $      40
Tours  $      165
Home Improve
Medical  $     100  $      20  $    271
Dental  $  1,596
Trips/Vacations  $ 1,911
TOTAL Discr.  $  1,841  $      244  $ 2,295  $    311
TOTAL ALL  $  4,723  $   3,375  $ 4,840  $ 2,995


* Meals Out: Jan 20x; Feb 18x; Mar 17x; April 16x
* Drinks Only: Jan 21x; Feb 13x; Mar 10x; April 8x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 45x; Feb 29x; Mar 36x; April 35x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
January: Mike's new tooth implant plus friends visiting.
February: Excursions & Oscar Party plus out of town friends  
March: Friends visiting & a 12 day vacation to Queretero, San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato.
April: I had a colonoscopy ($345 all inclusive; some insurance reimbursement); my computer needed a new hard drive ($144), cell phone issues ($25).

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

BUDGET UPDATE - March, 2019

2019 came in with a roar! Time in Paradise is amazing!

As a brief explanation for any new folks that might be reading this blog. Mike & I decided to call Puerto Vallarta, MX our home after living in 5 other Latin American countries and 11 towns/villages. (You can read all about our journey by going to the Archives listed on the bottom right of the blog page.) It's now been 5 full years, as of December 15, 2018, that we have lived here.

The posted budget/expenditures are for 2 people and are reflected in US Dollars, since that's the method we get paid in.

As of September 1, 2017, we moved up the hill into Amapas into a condo complex with 11 units and larger pool.  We more than doubled our space and our view increased 1000%. It's a 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, fully furnished, with a very large outdoor terrace. We now pay rent in pesos, so our rent fluctuates monthly based on the bank exchange rate with the US Dollar.

As of our renewal lease on September 1, 2018, our rent of 18,000 pesos/month does not include internet, cable TV, or electric. Internet and Cable TV are included in the amount shown under Rent.

Living Expenses:   January  February   March
Rent w/utilities  $  1,001  $   1,027  $ 1,030
Electric  $        11  $          7  $        8
Cell Phone  $        20  $        22  $      22
Groceries  $     349  $      431  $      36
Meals Out  $     412  $      526  $    451
Drinks Only  $     343  $      218  $    122
Entertainment  $        90  $    281
Massages/Nails/Hair  $        80  $      103  $      70
Bus/Taxi/Uber  $     160  $        96  $    111
Dental 
Incidentals  $     112  $      217  $      20
Medical Insurance  $     394  $      394  $    394
TOTAL  $  2,882  $   3,131  $ 2,545
TOTAL W/O RENT  $  1,881  $   2,104  $ 1,515
Discr Spending:
Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $     145  $        79  $    364
Tours  $      165
Home Improve
Medical  $     100  $      20
Dental  $  1,596
Trips/Vacations  $ 1,911
TOTAL Discr.  $  1,841  $      244  $ 2,295
TOTAL ALL  $  4,723  $   3,375  $ 4,840

* Meals Out: Jan 20x; Feb 18x; Mar 17x
* Drinks Only: Jan 21x; Feb 13x; Mar 10x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 45x; Feb 29x; Mar 36x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
January: Mike's new tooth implant plus friends visiting.
February: Excursions & Oscar Party plus out of town friends  
March: Friends visiting & a 12 day vacation to Queretero, San Miguel de Allende & Guanajuato.