Sunday, December 2, 2018

BUDGET UPDATE - November, 2018

The year is coming to a close!!

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 4 full years, as of December 15, 2017 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. Our rent includes internet, cable TV, water, and gas. We continue to pay our own electric and $10US more for upgraded internet.

January was an extremely busy month with High Season in full swing and multiple friends from the states that came to see us. We did a fantastic Whale Watching boat trip out on the Bay & Mike went fishing with the guys. We also made a 25% deposit on a 2 week tour that we're taking in March to see the states of Oaxaca & Chiapas in the southern part of MX. Other expenditures were for our pneumonia vaccines ($218). And, Mike's continued knee issues so additional medical/PT expenditures.

February continued to be a busy month with several friends visiting, more show openings, but mostly it was a month of trying to figure out what is going on with Mike's knees. It's been determined that he will have knee surgery on his right knee when we return from a vacation in Oaxaca & Chiapas in March. This will be our first claim on our health insurance. So far, they've been very good with our expenses towards the deductible.

March was a very busy. We entertained friends in from out of town. March 6-18, we went on vacation in the states Oaxaca & Chiapas, Mexico. If you've never been, you MUST! What a beautiful country this is! We not only enjoyed all the history and beauty, we did some major damage in the shopping of artisan goods. And, less than two days after returning, Mike had his arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus and have the cartilage scraped plus they injected fluid into his left knee. He did great! Within 3 days, he was walking without pain. A wonderful experience for what I consider our first major medical issue in MX. Couldn't have been more pleased with all facets of the medical service here!

April was a month of saying goodbye to many of our snowbird friends and catching up with others, as we don't seem to get together with our friends as much during high season because of visitors coming down for their vacations. So the combination blew our meals out & grocery budget! It was also a month of continued recovery for Mike's knee so many more taxi/Uber rides than normal.We also signed a year's extension on our lease!!

May brought a wonderful week on the Baja in Todos Santos, MX with good long time friends from the states. It included wonderful exploring and delicious food while just visiting on the beach or by their pool.

June brought friends on vacation. We enjoyed exploring and showing them our beautiful paradise.

July more friends on vacation, so we entertained them and went on a few excursions that we don't do normally.

August brought the rains and anticipation of our impending 7 week US/Europe trip. We began our journey on August 22, so all expenses for the trip are included in our accounting for September.

September was spent on our journey. We visited Nanaimo, BC; Spokane, WA & north up where we used to live in the Colville/Kettle Falls area. While there Mike was able to celebrate his 70th bd with friends & family; Chicago; Saugatuck, MI; Raleigh, NC, where we flew right into Hurricane Florence; CT & MA. Departed late on September 20 for Barcelona, Spain and the second leg of our trip. From Barcelona, we took a week long Mediterranean cruise stopping in Menorca, Corrsica, La Speiza, Polimbio & Porto Fino before returning to Barcelona. From there we flew to Athens, Greece.

October saw us embarking on another cruise with friends joining us for that week. Athens, Mykonos, Volos, Santorini & Nauplio. Once back in Athens, we flew to Istanbul, Turkey for 3 days where I celebrated my 67th bd. Then back to Vallarta via New York & Mexico City.  Arrived back in Vallarta on October 12, exhausted but very happy we experienced so much.

November was another month with some travel within MX. We went up into the mountains to celebrate Day of the Dead. It was incredible! Highly recommend!! It was also a month to celebrate friendships of returning snowbirds, the Theater season kicked into high gear & our refrigerator died, causing us to lose food.

Living Expenses:   January   February     March       April        May        June         July     August September   October  November
Rent w/util  $       928  $    1,008  $       957  $    1,024  $       980  $       935  $       928  $       994  $       973  $       973  $       972
Electric  $           9  $           8  $         11  $            -  $         13  $         33  $         42  $         41  $           7  $           9  $         17
Cell Phone  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         32  $         32  $         20
Groceries  $       198  $       211  $       171  $       452  $       263  $       395  $       201  $       230  $            -  $       290  $       448
Meals Out  $       463  $       371  $       216  $       559  $       220  $       357  $       422  $       324  $            -  $       293  $       471
Drinks Only  $       215  $       219  $         91  $       185  $       115  $       154  $       160  $         78  $            -  $       115  $       228
Entertainment  $         35  $       145  $         61  $         46  $         92  $         88  $            -  $            -  $         42  $         20
Massages/Nails/Hair  $         35  $         66  $       128  $         61  $       182  $       214  $         86  $            -  $       112  $         70
Bus/Taxi  $       112  $       148  $         74  $       171  $         55  $       143  $         88  $         70  $            -  $         52  $       143
Dental   $         40  $            -  $         94  $            -
Incidentals  $         97  $       126  $       132  $         81  $         87  $         52  $         45  $         48  $            -  $         68  $         83
Medical Insurance  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       394  $       394  $       394  $       394
TOTAL  $    2,479  $    2,623  $    2,166  $    3,073  $    2,181  $    2,730  $    2,575  $    2,381  $    1,406  $    2,380  $    2,866
TOTAL W/O RENT  $    1,551  $    1,615  $    1,209  $    2,049  $    1,201  $    1,795  $    1,647  $    1,387  $       433  $    1,407  $    1,894
Discr Spending:
Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $       139  $       247  $         27  $       422  $            -  $         77  $         49  $       155  $       182  $       675  $       338
Tours  $       263  $       177  $       110  $         10  $       197  $         26
Home Improve  $         11  $            -  $         47  $       123  $       127  $            -  $            -
Medical  $       218  $       496  $    1,862  $            -  $            -  $            -  $            -  $            -  $       184
Dental  $            -
Trips/Vacations  $       174  $    4,541  $            -  $       641  $            -  $         73  $    3,963  $    8,917  $    1,061
TOTAL Discr.  $       631  $       917  $    6,654  $       532  $       764  $       214  $       246  $       228  $    4,145  $    9,592  $    1,609
TOTAL ALL  $    3,110  $    3,540  $    8,820  $    3,605  $    2,945  $    2,944  $    2,821  $    2,609  $    5,551  $ 11,972  $    4,475

* Meals Out: Jan16x; Feb 11x; March 11x; April 18x; May 9x; June 18x; July 17x; August 13x; October 13x; November 15x
* Drinks Only: Jan15x; Feb 13x; March 7x; April 16x; May 10x; June 14x; July 13x; August 5x; October 8x; November 16x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 39x; Feb 46x; March 26x; April 51x; May 19x; June 48x; July 31x; August 20x; October 22x; November 39x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
    January: Whale watching, extra medical PT for Mike.
    February: Weekend in Mascota & Talpa, doctors, meds & MRI for Mike's knee.
    March: We did 12 days in Oaxaca & Chiapas (included flights, buses, hotels, entry fees & breakfasts), went on a boat trip for a friend's bd party & all of the meds, payment of remaining Insurance deductible.
     April:  Increased meals out, groceries, & taxi/Uber rides.
     May: Baja trip including bus, airplane, gas, food, meals & drinks out, entry fees. I purchased a new dresser to finally be able to put away some clothes that were still in a suitcase.
     June: Friends visiting and we enjoyed being with them and showing off our beautiful paradise.
     July:  Friends visiting so a few extra meals out and Rhythms of the Night evening ($197).
     August: Just enjoyed our beautiful Vallarta.
     September: All expenses for our trips included EVERYTHING. Flights, car rentals, hotels, meals, drinks, Traveler's Insurance, tours, gas, & ferries. I only account for the US/Canadian portion of our trip in September.
      October: All expenses for our European trip are included in October.
      November:  Our trip to Morelia & Patzcuaro for Day of the Dead.


Monday, November 5, 2018

UPDATE - August, September & October

Half the year has already passed us by!

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 4 full years, as of December 15, 2017 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. Our rent includes internet, cable TV, water, and gas. We continue to pay our own electric and $10US more for upgraded internet.

January was an extremely busy month with High Season in full swing and multiple friends from the states that came to see us. We did a fantastic Whale Watching boat trip out on the Bay & Mike went fishing with the guys. We also made a 25% deposit on a 2 week tour that we're taking in March to see the states of Oaxaca & Chiapas in the southern part of MX. Other expenditures were for our pneumonia vaccines ($218). And, Mike's continued knee issues so additional medical/PT expenditures.

February continued to be a busy month with several friends visiting, more show openings, but mostly it was a month of trying to figure out what is going on with Mike's knees. It's been determined that he will have knee surgery on his right knee when we return from a vacation in Oaxaca & Chiapas in March. This will be our first claim on our health insurance. So far, they've been very good with our expenses towards the deductible.

March was a very busy. We entertained friends in from out of town. March 6-18, we went on vacation in the states Oaxaca & Chiapas, Mexico. If you've never been, you MUST! What a beautiful country this is! We not only enjoyed all the history and beauty, we did some major damage in the shopping of artisan goods. And, less than two days after returning, Mike had his arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus and have the cartilage scraped plus they injected fluid into his left knee. He did great! Within 3 days, he was walking without pain. A wonderful experience for what I consider our first major medical issue in MX. Couldn't have been more pleased with all facets of the medical service here!

April was a month of saying goodbye to many of our snowbird friends and catching up with others, as we don't seem to get together with our friends as much during high season because of visitors coming down for their vacations. So the combination blew our meals out & grocery budget! It was also a month of continued recovery for Mike's knee so many more taxi/Uber rides than normal.We also signed a year's extension on our lease!!

May brought a wonderful week on the Baja in Todos Santos, MX with good long time friends from the states. It included wonderful exploring and delicious food while just visiting on the beach or by their pool.

June brought friends on vacation. We enjoyed exploring and showing them our beautiful paradise.

July more friends on vacation, so we entertained them and went on a few excursions that we don't do normally.

August brought the rains and anticipation of our impending 7 week US/Europe trip. We began our journey on August 22, so all expenses for the trip are included in our accounting for September.

September was spent on our journey. We visited Nanaimo, BC; Spokane, WA & north up where we used to live in the Colville/Kettle Falls area. While there Mike was able to celebrate his 70th bd with friends & family; Chicago; Saugatuck, MI; Raleigh, NC, where we flew right into Hurricane Florence; CT & MA. Departed late on September 20 for Barcelona, Spain and the second leg of our trip. From Barcelona, we took a week long Mediterranean cruise stopping in Menorca, Corrsica, La Speiza, Polimbio & Porto Fino before returning to Barcelona. From there we flew to Athens, Greece.

October saw us embarking on another cruise with friends joining us for that week. Athens, Mykonos, Volos, Santorini & Nauplio. Once back in Athens, we flew to Istanbul, Turkey for 3 days where I celebrated my 67th bd. Then back to Vallarta via New York & Mexico City.  Arrived back in Vallarta on October 12, exhausted but very happy we experienced so much.

Living Expenses:    January  February     March       April        May        June         July    August September     October
Rent w/util  $       928  $    1,008  $       957  $    1,024  $       980  $       935  $       928  $       994  $       973  $       973
Electric  $           9  $           8  $         11  $            -  $         13  $         33  $         42  $         41  $           7  $           9
Cell Phone  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         32  $         32
Groceries  $       198  $       211  $       171  $       452  $       263  $       395  $       201  $       230  $            -  $       290
Meals Out  $       463  $       371  $       216  $       559  $       220  $       357  $       422  $       324  $            -  $       293
Drinks Only  $       215  $       219  $         91  $       185  $       115  $       154  $       160  $         78  $            -  $       115
Entertainment  $         35  $       145  $         61  $         46  $         92  $         88  $            -  $            -  $         42
Massages/Nails/Hair  $         35  $         66  $       128  $         61  $       182  $       214  $         86  $            -  $       112
Bus/Taxi  $       112  $       148  $         74  $       171  $         55  $       143  $         88  $         70  $            -  $         52
Dental   $         40  $            -  $         94  $            -
Incidentals  $         97  $       126  $       132  $         81  $         87  $         52  $         45  $         48  $            -  $         68
Medical Insurance  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       394  $       394  $       394
TOTAL  $    2,479  $    2,623  $    2,166  $    3,073  $    2,181  $    2,730  $    2,575  $    2,381  $    1,406  $    2,380
TOTAL W/O RENT  $    1,551  $    1,615  $    1,209  $    2,049  $    1,201  $    1,795  $    1,647  $    1,387  $       433  $    1,407
Discr Spending:
Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $       139  $       247  $         27  $       422  $            -  $         77  $         49  $       155  $       182  $       675
Tours  $       263  $       177  $       110  $         10  $       197
Home Improve  $         11  $            -  $         47  $       123  $       127  $            -  $            -
Medical  $       218  $       496  $    1,862  $            -  $            -  $            -  $            -  $            -
Dental  $            -
Trips/Vacations  $       174  $    4,541  $            -  $       641  $            -  $         73  $    3,963  $    8,917
TOTAL Discr.  $       631  $       917  $    6,654  $       532  $       764  $       214  $       246  $       228  $    4,145  $    9,592
TOTAL ALL  $    3,110  $    3,540  $    8,820  $    3,605  $    2,945  $    2,944  $    2,821  $    2,609  $    5,551  $ 11,972

* Meals Out: Jan16x; Feb 11x; March 11x; April 18x; May 9x; June 18x; July 17x; August 13x; October 13x
* Drinks Only: Jan15x; Feb 13x; March 7x; April 16x; May 10x; June 14x; July 13x; August 5x; October 8x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 39x; Feb 46x; March 26x; April 51x; May 19x; June 48x; July 31x; August 20x; October 22x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
    January: Whale watching, extra medical PT for Mike.
    February: Weekend in Mascota & Talpa, doctors, meds & MRI for Mike's knee.
    March: We did 12 days in Oaxaca & Chiapas (included flights, buses, hotels, entry fees & breakfasts), went on a boat trip for a friend's bd party & all of the meds, payment of remaining Insurance deductible.
     April:  Increased meals out, groceries, & taxi/Uber rides.
     May: Baja trip including bus, airplane, gas, food, meals & drinks out, entry fees. I purchased a new dresser to finally be able to put away some clothes that were still in a suitcase.
     June: Friends visiting and we enjoyed being with them and showing off our beautiful paradise.
     July:  Friends visiting so a few extra meals out and Rhythms of the Night evening ($197).
     August: Just enjoyed our beautiful Vallarta.
     September: All expenses for our trips included EVERYTHING. Flights, car rentals, hotels, meals, drinks, Traveler's Insurance, tours, gas, & ferries. I only account for the US/Canadian portion of our trip in September.
      October: All expenses for our European trip are included in October. 


Wednesday, August 1, 2018

BUDGET UPDATE - July, 2018

Half the year has already passed us by!

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 4 full years, as of December 15, 2017 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. Our rent includes internet, cable TV, water, and gas. We continue to pay our own electric and $10US more for upgraded internet.

January was an extremely busy month with High Season in full swing and multiple friends from the states that came to see us. We did a fantastic Whale Watching boat trip out on the Bay & Mike went fishing with the guys. We also made a 25% deposit on a 2 week tour that we're taking in March to see the states of Oaxaca & Chiapas in the southern part of MX. Other expenditures were for our pneumonia vaccines ($218). And, Mike's continued knee issues so additional medical/PT expenditures.

February continued to be a busy month with several friends visiting, more show openings, but mostly it was a month of trying to figure out what is going on with Mike's knees. It's been determined that he will have knee surgery on his right knee when we return from a vacation in Oaxaca & Chiapas in March. This will be our first claim on our health insurance. So far, they've been very good with our expenses towards the deductible.

March was a very busy. We entertained friends in from out of town. March 6-18, we went on vacation in the states Oaxaca & Chiapas, Mexico. If you've never been, you MUST! What a beautiful country this is! We not only enjoyed all the history and beauty, we did some major damage in the shopping of artisan goods. And, less than two days after returning, Mike had his arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus and have the cartilage scraped plus they injected fluid into his left knee. He did great! Within 3 days, he was walking without pain. A wonderful experience for what I consider our first major medical issue in MX. Couldn't have been more pleased with all facets of the medical service here!

April was a month of saying goodbye to many of our snowbird friends and catching up with others, as we don't seem to get together with our friends as much during high season because of visitors coming down for their vacations. So the combination blew our meals out & grocery budget! It was also a month of continued recovery for Mike's knee so many more taxi/Uber rides than normal.We also signed a year's extension on our lease!!

May brought a wonderful week on the Baja in Todos Santos, MX with good long time friends from the states. It included wonderful exploring and delicious food while just visiting on the beach or by their pool.

June brought friends on vacation. We enjoyed exploring and showing them our beautiful paradise.

July more friends on vacation, so we entertained them and went on a few excursions that we don't do normally.

Living Expenses:    January  February      March        April         May         June          July
Rent w/util  $       928  $    1,008  $       957  $    1,024  $       980  $       935  $       928
Electric  $           9  $           8  $         11  $            -  $         13  $         33  $         42
Cell Phone  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22
Groceries  $       198  $       211  $       171  $       452  $       263  $       395  $       201
Meals Out  $       463  $       371  $       216  $       559  $       220  $       357  $       422
Drinks Only  $       215  $       219  $         91  $       185  $       115  $       154  $       160
Entertainment  $         35  $       145  $         61  $         46  $         92  $         88
Massages/Nails/Hair  $         35  $         66  $       128  $         61  $       182  $       214
Bus/Taxi  $       112  $       148  $         74  $       171  $         55  $       143  $         88
Dental Cleaning  $         40  $            -
Incidentals  $         97  $       126  $       132  $         81  $         87  $         52  $         45
Medical Insurance  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365
TOTAL  $    2,479  $    2,623  $    2,166  $    3,073  $    2,181  $    2,730  $    2,575
TOTAL W/O RENT  $    1,551  $    1,615  $    1,209  $    2,049  $    1,201  $    1,795  $    1,647
Discr Spending:
Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $       139  $       247  $         27  $       422  $            -  $         77  $         49
Tours  $       263  $       177  $       110  $         10  $       197
Home Improve  $         11  $            -  $         47  $       123  $       127
Medical  $       218  $       496  $    1,862  $            -  $            -  $            -
Dental  $            -
Trips/Vacations  $       174  $    4,541  $            -  $       641  $            -
TOTAL Discr.  $       631  $       917  $    6,654  $       532  $       764  $       214  $       246
TOTAL ALL  $    3,110  $    3,540  $    8,820  $    3,605  $    2,945  $    2,944  $    2,821


* Meals Out: Jan16x; Feb 11x; March 11x; April 18x; May 9x; June 18x; July 17x
* Drinks Only: Jan15x; Feb 13x; March 7x; April 16x; May 10x; June 14x; July 13x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 39x; Feb 46x; March 26x; April 51x; May 19x; June 48x; July 31x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
    January: Whale watching, extra medical PT for Mike.
    February: Weekend in Mascota & Talpa, doctors, meds & MRI for Mike's knee.
    March: We did 12 days in Oaxaca & Chiapas (included flights, buses, hotels, entry fees & breakfasts), went on a boat trip for a friend's bd party & all of the meds, payment of remaining Insurance deductible.
     April:  Increased meals out, groceries, & taxi/Uber rides.
     May: Baja trip including bus, airplane, gas, food, meals & drinks out, entry fees. I purchased a new dresser to finally be able to put away some clothes that were still in a suitcase.
     June: Friends visiting and we enjoyed being with them and showing off our beautiful paradise.
     July:  Friends visiting so a few extra meals out and Rhythms of the Night evening ($197).

Sunday, July 1, 2018

BUDGET UPDATE - June, 2018

Half the year has already passed us by!

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 4 full years, as of December 15, 2017 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. Our rent includes internet, cable TV, water, and gas. We continue to pay our own electric and $10US more for upgraded internet.

January was an extremely busy month with High Season in full swing and multiple friends from the states that came to see us. We did a fantastic Whale Watching boat trip out on the Bay & Mike went fishing with the guys. We also made a 25% deposit on a 2 week tour that we're taking in March to see the states of Oaxaca & Chiapas in the southern part of MX. Other expenditures were for our pneumonia vaccines ($218). And, Mike's continued knee issues so additional medical/PT expenditures.

February continued to be a busy month with several friends visiting, more show openings, but mostly it was a month of trying to figure out what is going on with Mike's knees. It's been determined that he will have knee surgery on his right knee when we return from a vacation in Oaxaca & Chiapas in March. This will be our first claim on our health insurance. So far, they've been very good with our expenses towards the deductible.

March was a very busy. We entertained friends in from out of town. March 6-18, we went on vacation in the states Oaxaca & Chiapas, Mexico. If you've never been, you MUST! What a beautiful country this is! We not only enjoyed all the history and beauty, we did some major damage in the shopping of artisan goods. And, less than two days after returning, Mike had his arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus and have the cartilage scraped plus they injected fluid into his left knee. He did great! Within 3 days, he was walking without pain. A wonderful experience for what I consider our first major medical issue in MX. Couldn't have been more pleased with all facets of the medical service here!

April was a month of saying goodbye to many of our snowbird friends and catching up with others, as we don't seem to get together with our friends as much during high season because of visitors coming down for their vacations. So the combination blew our meals out & grocery budget! It was also a month of continued recovery for Mike's knee so many more taxi/Uber rides than normal.We also signed a year's extension on our lease!!

May brought a wonderful week on the Baja in Todos Santos, MX with good long time friends from the states. It included wonderful exploring and delicious food while just visiting on the beach or by their pool.

June brought friends on vacation. We enjoyed exploring and showing them our beautiful paradise.


Living Expenses:    January  February      March        April         May         June
Rent w/util  $       928  $    1,008  $       957  $    1,024  $       980  $       935
Electric  $           9  $           8  $         11  $            -  $         13  $         33
Cell Phone  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22  $         22
Groceries  $       198  $       211  $       171  $       452  $       263  $       395
Meals Out  $       463  $       371  $       216  $       559  $       220  $       357
Drinks Only  $       215  $       219  $         91  $       185  $       115  $       154
Entertainment  $         35  $       145  $         61  $         46
 $         92
Massages/Nails/Hair  $         35
 $         66  $       128  $         61  $       182
Bus/Taxi  $       112  $       148  $         74  $       171  $         55  $       143
Dental Cleaning


 $         40   $
Incidentals  $         97  $       126  $       132  $         81  $         87  $         52
Medical Insurance  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365  $       365
TOTAL  $    2,479  $    2,623  $    2,166  $    3,073  $    2,181  $    2,730







TOTAL W/O RENT  $    1,551  $    1,615  $    1,209  $    2,049  $    1,201  $    1,795







Discr Spending:





Clothes/Shoes/Gifts  $       139  $       247  $         27  $       422   $  $         77
Tours  $       263
 $       177  $       110
 $         10
Home Improve  $         11
            47
 $       123  $       127
Medical  $       218  $       496  $    1,862 $            - $            -
Dental





Trips/Vacations
 $       174  $    4,541 $            -  $       641
TOTAL Discr.  $       631  $       917  $    6,654  $       532  $       764  $       214







TOTAL ALL  $    3,110  $    3,540  $    8,820  $    3,605  $    2,945  $    2,944


* Meals Out: Jan16x; Feb 11x; March 11x; April 18x; May 9x; June
* Drinks Only: Jan15x; Feb 13x; March 7x; April 16x; May 10x; June 14x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 39x; Feb 46x; March 26x; April 51x; May 19x; June 48x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
    January: Whale watching, extra medical PT for Mike.
    February: Weekend in Mascota & Talpa, doctors, meds & MRI for Mike's knee.
    March: We did 12 days in Oaxaca & Chiapas (included flights, buses, hotels, entry fees & breakfasts), went on a boat trip for a friend's bd party & all of the meds, payment of remaining Insurance deductible.
     April:  Increased meals out, groceries, & taxi/Uber rides.
     May: Baja trip including bus, airplane, gas, food, meals & drinks out, entry fees. I purchased a new dresser to finally be able to put away some clothes that were still in a suitcase.
     June: Friends visiting and we enjoyed being with them and showing off our beautiful paradise.