| Pages:
1
2
3 |
bacquito
Super Nomad
Posts: 1615
Registered: 3-6-2007
Member Is Offline
Mood: jubilado
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bigzaggin
Did you happen to ask these people how much they drink? Budget sounds super doable to me, if they can limit Tecate intake to six or less daily.
Granted, that's basically impossible, but I have heard tell of a few people who manage to do it. |
bacquito
|
|
|
unbob
Nomad
Posts: 407
Registered: 8-7-2006
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | | Originally posted by bigzaggin... if they can limit Tecate intake to six or less daily. Granted, that's basically impossible, but I have
heard tell of a few people who manage to do it. |
Tecate? Seriously? Life's too short to drink Tecate - much
better cerveza available - Bohemia Obscura for example!
On second thought, drink your Tecate and leave the Bohemia on the shelf - more for me!
"I'm too young to be this old!"
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2753
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by DavidE
A British couple here in Starbucks asked me an interesting question: They are going to travel and live in Baja until May on "fifty pounds" a day. What
is that around seventy dollars US?
I suggested Mulege or Loreto (which one do you think is less expensive?). The cape is out and La Paz may or may not be too expensive, I don't have a
lot of experience there, They are flying to San Diego on Monday, and i told them about the cross border Greyhound shuttle to the bus station.
But what about Bahia de Los Angeles? |
The question was perhaps an academic one - posted on such a short
notice before the scheduled fight.
Firstly, Mulege or Loreto are normally reached by flight to Loreto, with 3-hour bus ride to Mulege if needed. Not by Greyhound and ABC bus from
Tijuana - I did that too, not much fun and hardly any cheaper than flying to Loreto.
Now, as you (or they) must have realized, the answer depends on many variables. Do they drink? Do they dine out? Ok, they have a "tourist stove" - so
I assume they can make simple meals. Do they need electricity and internet?
One can live in Baja for 1/10 of that cost, as people mentioned. Without daily internet, though, and sleeping in a tent or palapa in one of camps of
Bay of LA or Sta Rosa or Mulege.
Transportation is not a problem in Mulege (it's on the highway with bus connection and Oasis camp is almost in town), and in Sta Rosa (though good
camps are 15 miles from town), and in Loreto.
There is no bus in BOLA. They can, however, reach BOLA by bus, getting out at the intersection of Crusero and catching a ride to BOLA (40 miles) with
guys selling gasoline at Crusero from barrels. They are always there in daytime. The cost of door-less palapa without electricity in BOLA is $10. I've
heard of some casitas with electricity in BOLA, don't know where and how much. Can't be more than 30 bucks. The best camps are on the outskirts, and
those have no electricity or running water (there are salt-ish showers though).
Added PS:
1) The (only?) flight to Loreto is from LA, not from San Diego.
2) Grehound (now called Cruceros on this route) is not a shuttle. It's a bus from LA to Tijuana that stops in San Diego and San Isidro.
[Edited on 2-21-2012 by Alm]
|
|
|
DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
|
|
Thanks Alm, your reply is chock full of information. The couple are long-gone, but the information continues.
|
|
|
MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
FWIW, I worked out a budget for great living in La Paz for one person that owned their own casita (with adequate air conditioning) and their own
fishing boat. The budget included all basic living expenses including but not limited to yrly fideicomiso fee, miniscule property tax, yrly FM3 fee,
haircuts, WIFI, clothes, TV service, 44 fishing outings per year, some restaurant meals, Mexican medical insurance, auto insurance and upkeep,
household maintenance, etc., etc., etc.
My budget came to $674 USD per month. That's $22.16 USD per day. For each additional person in the household, add $300 each per month (or $10 ea per
day.)
[Edited on 2-21-2012 by MitchMan]
|
|
|
Udo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6364
Registered: 4-26-2008
Location: Black Hills, SD/Ensenada/San Felipe
Member Is Offline
Mood: TEQUILA!
|
|
Hey, MitchMan...my Tequila buddy!
Many thousands of thanks for taking the time to put together the budget.
You really went waaay out of your Nomadic duties to put this together.
This is the most comprehensive list I have yet to see published here on Nomadland. I don't think that Doug could come up with a better one.
I am saving this part in hard copy writing so I can refer to it when other friends ask me the same type of question. Anyone here, I would refer the
thread.
What you have compiled is a comprehensive list for anyone who will be on a US Social Security Income (i.e. fixed). In our instance, we will be
retiring down South in the Summer of next year, and the budget is WELL within our means on two SSI incomes.
Our sincerest GRACIAS amigo!
On edit:
I forgot to mention that we will be living in a 45' Executive RV and possibly will purchase a house at an oceanfront location.
[Edited on 2-21-2012 by Udo]
Udo
Youth is wasted on the young!
|
|
|
MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
My pleasure, Udo.
I tell people in USA all the time that all you need is about $100,000 USD in the bank, a decent "Baja suitable" vehicle, and an income stream of
$1,200 USD for one person to retire "fat" in La Paz and various other places in Baja. For a couple, same requirements with additional monthly income
of $300 for a total of $1,500 USD monthly household income. The reason I say $1,200 for one person while saying it costs that one person $674 USD per
month is to provide a solid cushion of income for adequate peace of mind savings as a safety net for emergencies, vehicle replacement, major repairs
or improvements and to pay for transportation to/from the USA for those that want to visit family periodically throughout the year. It is always good
to plan your finances and consumption so as to always be "long term adding" to savings, not long term depleting your savings.
With the $100,000, you can take $50,000 to $80,000 USD and buy your casita -or - buy a lot and build your own casita using abanils to build it for you
if you know how to do your own construction contracting work yourself. Put the remainder of the money in the bank. The construction cost for labor
and materials will run around $40 to $50 USD per sq foot of construction that way and the lot can be obtained in older Mexican neighborhoods for
around $23 to $30 USD per sq meter in the La Paz area, especially within 4 to 10 miles of downtown La Paz. You can do pretty much the same thing in
Loreto, but the cost for the land is 2.5 to 3.5 times higher than in La Paz area for some very inexplicable reason. However, in Loreto you will only
be 1 to 2 miles from the center of town and only 1.3 to 2.3 miles from the marina. Very cool. You know how long it takes to drive 2.3 miles? About
7 minutes!
By comparison, for one person to retire "safely, securely, and comfortably" in Orange County, California, you would need a nest egg of at least
$200,000 USD net worth for condo living or $350,000 net worth for free standing single family residence house ownership and an income of at least
$3,000 pre-tax USD per month.
[Edited on 2-22-2012 by MitchMan]
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by MitchMan
an income stream of $1,200 USD for one person to retire "fat" in La Paz and various other places in Baja. |
Really? That ain't much...what with the cost of gas and grocerys.....not to mention the other necessities, like a phone and internet with a VOIP
phone. I don't consider these things electives or luxuries any more.
|
|
|
DavidE
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3814
Registered: 12-1-2003
Location: Baja California México
Member Is Offline
Mood: 'At home we demand facts and get them. In Mexico one subsists on rumor and never demands anything.' Charles Flandrau,
|
|
I have been trying to manage on 2/3rds of that Dennis. It isn't easy. Especially when medications and medical were all out-of-pocket. Sacrifices have
to be made. One of the things that I did was try grow tiny gardens whenever I could. That and not using the car could save a modest amount monthly.
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
WOW....well, I guess that would rule out fine Tequila, but we do what we gotta do.
I lived most of my life on a tight budget so It's not like I don't appreciate what you're saying.
|
|
|
J.P.
Super Nomad
Posts: 1673
Registered: 7-8-2010
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
Mood: Easy Does It
|
|
Dont quote me isnt the minimum monthly income to get a fm3 1,200 a month that would be a starting point for figureing a budget.
Personaly I never before in my life tried to save money,but today I put what is left over in my regular account the end of the month in savings it's
suprising how it adds up
|
|
|
MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
Dennis, there are many variables in this equation due especially to living standards from person to person and one's ability to be frugal ... or not
be frugal. For example, assuming intelligent and objective frugality, my budget means that for transportation one aught to consider a very frugal gas
saving vehicle. My Tacoma in Baja gets 14 MPG which is all in-town driving ... alot of stop and go, rarely getting out of 3rd gear on a 5 speed stick
shift. But, I make one trip a day to town which is a round trip of about 14 miles for me. However, if I were to live there, I would spend $5,000 USD
and get an 8 to 12 year old Toyota Echo that gets 34 mpg in-town and 43 MPG on the highway. Actually, most days in La Paz, I only go to Walmart and
back or 8 miles round trip on those days. To live there and insist on a giant gas guzzling vehicle is, IMHO, irrational and an unnecessary voluntary
waste of $50 to $100 USD on gasoline per month.
With regard to groceries, while I am there in La Paz, I spend exactly $6 per day on food (and I can prove it) and that includes spending on household
supplies for TP, cleaning supplies, liquor and beer, and various small household accessories. I keep riggorous to the penny records of all my trips
for the last three years for every and all expenditures, including the receipts. I know for a fact that I eat healthier and better than most people,
plus I love to cook. Actually, I really don't like to go to restaurants in general because the food quality and service is almost always hit and
miss. Home cooked meals are almost always perfect, exactly what I want when I want it and how much I want. Also, I know how to shop and I know all
the prices by heart. It is not expensive to eat if you know how to shop and you know the prices and you cook for yourself.
For example, for one week, I will make/have albondiga soup, fideo, frijoles, coffee, fruit juices, milk, cucumber and lettuce salads with home made
italian dressing or spiced vinegrette, barbecued chicken, one 8 oz Sonoran Rib Eye steak, ham/turkey Gouda cheese sandwiches, chicken tacos, fried
potatoes, grated fried potatoes, orange soda, 1 drink a day (a beer or margarita [make my own maggie mix with two key limes and two tablespoons of
sugar], or tropical rum drink with Anejo and fruit juices), soft drinks (bought by the 2 liter bottle), home made pan fried crispy fish or chicken
tacos, cheese enchiladas, spaghetti with killer marinara sauce and sauteed mushrooms and parmesan, fish dinner, eggs and toast and potatoes and fruit
and fruit juice and left overs for breakfast. Left overs and sandwiches for lunch. Man, the left overs are to kill for.
Do the math, not expensive if you know how to shop, only buy booze on sale, stay completely away from most all processed prepackaged foods, do your
shopping at the big discount supermarkets, cook for yourself, and get aquainted with and how to make delicious meals with great spices and the basics
like beans and vegetables which are dirt cheap in Mexico, especially at Walmart. Don't waste anything, only cook what you know you will consume. Pay
attention to what the heck you are doing. Hey, chicken wings are only a $1.00 USD per lb in Baja! However, if you don't shop wisely, are not frugal,
pay no attention to prices, don't spend time figuring out your menu for the week, don't want to do your own cooking, you will easily spend 2 to 3
times more and you won't eat any better, most likely worse. Now we're talking some serious change, easily over $200 to $400 USD wasted per month.
BTW, my budget includes phone, internet, Skype usage, TV connection.
[Edited on 2-22-2012 by MitchMan]
|
|
|
DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
|
|
OK, Mitch.....I get it. Problem is, I'm just a sinful internet consumer.
Ohhh well....we all have our vices.
Sounds like you're living pretty good, by the way.
|
|
|
MitchMan
Super Nomad
Posts: 1856
Registered: 3-9-2009
Member Is Offline
|
|
I do live well, very well indeed, and I am able to do pretty cheaply. To be honest, I don't feel the pinch of economizing. I treat getting deals and
economizing and figuring things out as a hobby. My lap top is full of Excel spreadsheets with all kinds of analyses. Also, I am very lucky, my wife
and I are exactly the same when it comes to finances and economizing.
Food and fishing are my vices. If I need a good diversion, I'll pick the moment and get good and buzzed.
|
|
|
Woooosh
Banned
Posts: 5240
Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
Member Is Offline
Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
|
|
| Quote: | Originally posted by bajaguy
| Quote: | Originally posted by KASHEYDOG
......... Could get them to buy a shovel and bucket and teach them to go claming.....
[Edited on 2-18-12 by KASHEYDOG] |
Thought that was against the law??? |
A day in a Mexican Jail would certainly creating lasting vacation memories. Foreigners can only fish from the shore but no license is required. No
nets, no clams.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
|
|
|
Cypress
Elite Nomad
Posts: 7641
Registered: 3-12-2006
Location: on the bayou
Member Is Offline
Mood: undecided
|
|
Claming? Could be a good way to loose weight. Call it "The Baja weight loss program". All the clams you can dig up and eat.  Foreigners aren't allowed to take shell fish. And the locals haven't left
enough for seed.
|
|
|
chuckie
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6082
Registered: 2-20-2012
Location: Kansas Prairies
Member Is Offline
Mood: Weary
|
|
This year I have been in Mulege since December 21. I have put a total of 237 miles on my Dodge Diesel since then. I use a Honda 4 wheeler to get
around town, maybe use 2 Gallons of gas a week. If you are in Baja, why go anywhere else anyway? Veggie guy, Fish guy, pastry lady, water guy all come
to the house...Honda gets to me the cantina, and sometimes back...I met a British couple at Carlos "Pit stop" a while ago..may have been them..70
bucks a day is 2100 bucks/mo..I f you cant live on that,and pretty well, well?
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2
3 |
|
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
