SNOWBIRD 2004 BUDGET

We recently completed our Snowbird 2004 Trip, a four month, coast to coast, 12,500 mile adventure. Before departing, we naturally wanted to set a budget. We did not have historical expense data for an extended trip and this was our first long RV venture. We made a budget and over all, kept within its limits. This is our budget as it applies to only Snowbird specific items. As you can see, we were over budget on Dining Out and RV Repairs/Maintenance. In addition, most of our groceries were purchased at military commissaries and a total of one month was spent in RV Campgrounds on base. Our biggest surprise was the cost of fuel; from $1.349 in Virginia to $1.979 in San Diego. The number of miles that we drove was also some what of a surprise. Of the 12,500 miles driven, 6,700 were towing from point A to B and the remaining 5,800 miles were spent in sight seeing. While in Arizona and New Mexico, we thought nothing of taking two to three hundred mile day trips several times a week.

One item that we did not budget was post trip RV specific repairs/ maintenance. If you are unable to perform such things as pulling wheel bearings and replacing brakes, be prepared to pay someone who is trained and qualified to do this a hefty fee!