So, as we begin the New Year of 2018, 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!
| Living Expenses: | January | February | March |
| Rent w/util | $ 928 | $ 1,008 | $ 957 |
| Electric | $ 9 | $ 8 | $ 11 |
| Cell Phone | $ 22 | $ 22 | $ 22 |
| Groceries | $ 198 | $ 211 | $ 171 |
| Meals Out | $ 463 | $ 371 | $ 216 |
| Drinks Only | $ 215 | $ 219 | $ 91 |
| Entertainment | $ 35 | $ 145 | $ 61 |
| Massages | $ 35 | $ 66 | |
| Bus/Taxi | $ 112 | $ 148 | $ 74 |
| Dental Cleaning | |||
| Incidentals | $ 97 | $ 126 | $ 132 |
| Medical Insurance | $ 365 | $ 365 | $ 365 |
| TOTAL | $ 2,479 | $ 2,623 | $ 2,166 |
| TOTAL W/O RENT | $ 1,551 | $ 1,615 | $ 1,209 |
| Discr Spending: | |||
| Clothes/Shoes/Gifts | $ 139 | $ 247 | $ 27 |
| Tours | $ 263 | $ 177 | |
| Home Improve | $ 11 | $ - | $ 47 |
| Medical | $ 218 | $ 496 | $ 1,862 |
| Dental | |||
| Trips/Vacations | $ 810 | $ 174 | $ 3,731 |
| TOTAL Discr. | $ 1,441 | $ 917 | $ 5,844 |
| TOTAL ALL | $ 3,920 | $ 3,540 | $ 8,010 |
* Meals Out: Jan16x; Feb 11x; March 11x
* Drinks Only: Jan15x; Feb 13x; March 7x
* Taxis/Bus/Uber: Jan 39x; Feb 46x; March 26x
* Trips/Tours & General Rationale for some additional expenditures:
January: Whale watching, deposit for trip to Oaxaca & Chiapas, 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.