Hey there, long time no see! I’ve decided to use this quarantine period to get back into journaling and blogging. It’s a great way to stay entertained, and I hope it keeps you entertained too. You might feel like you’ve missed a lot, but don’t worry, I’ll fill in the gaps as we go. Remember to stay safe and wash your hands!
So, it’s Day 49 of quarantine. Living in San Diego on a budget is tough, but I’m managing and thought I’d share some tips, especially for military families.
We get a housing allowance of $3,165 per month. We spend $1,400 of that on living in an RV by the beach, which covers everything, including the truck and RV loans. That leaves us with $1,765, tax-free, before we even touch David’s salary. Usually, this is more than enough for groceries, alcohol, RV improvements, personal expenses, and holidays.
David’s salary mostly goes untouched each month. He’s on track to max out his IRA and 401(k) this year. We keep our finances separate for simplicity. I’m an additional user on his Amex cards to rack up points and settle my share at the end of the month.
We usually don’t spend more than $3,000 a month between us. Here’s a breakdown:
– Housing: $1,400 for the RV park ($900 average), RV and truck loans ($300), insurance ($90), propane ($20), and various tools and accessories ($90).
– Food: Around $200, including his energy drinks, our beers, and my wine. We save a lot by using freebies from the USO and cooking from scratch.
– Going out: About $50 on average. We use the $200 Uber Eats credit from Amex and occasionally dine out at places like In-N-Out or some seafood spot.
– Utilities: We don’t pay for electricity, water, internet, property taxes, trash, or landscaping at the campground. My T-Mobile plan is $15/month, and David’s Mint plan is $20/month.
– Entertainment: Netflix ($10) and Disney Plus ($8) are free for six months thanks to Amex.
Transportation costs are under $100 monthly. One campground is three miles from work, so I can cycle and use the gym. The other is on Coronado Island, where I cycle to the beach and drive occasionally for groceries.
We manage to keep spending around $1,800, and without a travel budget for trips to Europe or Guatemala, we rarely go beyond $2,000 unless we splurge on RV stuff.
We don’t insure the dogs since Tijuana is nearby for emergencies. Their health is good, and we handle minor medical expenses ourselves.
We also benefit from various free or heavily subsidized services thanks to the military:
– Dog food: We have about 400 lbs of dog food provided by the USO.
– Baked goods: Bread, cookies, muffins, and more, also courtesy of the USO.
– Gym: Free on base with amenities like a sauna, Zumba, Crossfit, and Yoga.
– Movie theaters: Free on base with cheap popcorn.
– Library: Great books, craft days, and free movies and e-books.
– Healthcare: Dental costs $120/year, and other medical needs are covered.
– Tax prep: Basic tax prep available on base.
– Balboa park: Free museum passes for military families. Museums also offer free entry to San Diego residents and military on specific Tuesdays.
– Event tickets: Free or won through the USO, including sports games and theater plays.
– Free restaurant dinners via USO lotteries.
– Sea World: Free tickets annually.
– National Parks: Free annual passes for military members.
– Free classes and motivational events. For example, I attended a “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” class for free.
– Farmers market: USO hosts bi-weekly events providing fresh vegetables and staples.
Additionally, we enjoy a variety of activities such as:
– Free or subsidized hikes and rentals for kayaks and paddleboards.
– Access to on-base facilities like tennis courts and swimming pools.
– Free bowling on Fridays.
– Free monthly tacos and beer event on base.
– Free haircuts, as David shaves his head and cuts mine.
So, despite San Diego’s high cost of living, we actually live quite comfortably thanks to the high housing allowance and many freebies. While living in Guatemala might be cheaper, the abundance of free stuff here makes up for the higher expenses.