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.
1 comment:
An excellent deomonstration of costs. This is one of the first realistic breakdown that I have seen and nears what I spend.
I have a rather shabby two bedroom directly on the Malecon and I pay 850 per month for this rather ancient apartment. The price is directly associated with the proximity to the beach.
being where I am, everything is close including the bars. One has to train ones self to live with the noise of bars. I can do that again in exchange for the proximity of the beach.
i shop at the big stores, i.e. walmart, mega etc. and take a taxi which is about 100 pesos each way.
in the end, prices are lower but costs in the end consume my pensions but I do believe that one should live fully within your means and be prepared to pay for what you want.
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