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I have received a lot of emails concerning how much it costs to travel like we are.

Thanks to the Hudson Research Institute who taught us how to budget I will give you some ideas how to work out a travel budget for your own needs. Hudson can be contacted on 1800 804 296, they are in Queensland but run seminars throughout Australia teaching you how to budget and invest. Tell them that Peter and Sandy Burns sent you. The advisor that has looked after us so well is Juanita Gilmour.

If you take the following items and put a weekly value next to them, then multiply by 52. This will give you your yearly budget value required. This is providing you don't have a house or commitments elsewhere which would have to be added to this list. The only other item required maybe a contingency sum for unexpected items such as airfares home, new motor etc.

You may have other items to add which I haven't allowed for, just add them in as required. For example we do our own laundry, you may use a laundromat which could cost around $12 a week.

Budget Items

Cash - pocket money for the little things like stamps, newspapers, morning teas etc.

Car/Caravan Maintenance - depends on the age of the vehicle and the mileage you intend doing.

Car/Caravan Registration - known value per annum

Car/Caravan Insurance - known value per annum

Food - same as it costs you at home.

Petrol - Depends on the mileage you intend doing. We budget on 500 kms per week.

Gas - If you are running a gas fridge allow one 9 Kg bottle every 2.5 weeks. If you bake a lot you will use more gas. If it's just for cooking then like us one bottle lasts around 3 months. Allow $23 per bottle refill.

Grog - Possibly more than you drink now as the sunsets go down well with a drink or two.

Presents - You decide, but make sure they are small for easier postage.

Clothes - A lot less than you currently spend.

Haircuts - Keep it short as it saves on water and shampoo. We cut our own hair, I'm still practicing on Sandy's hair, couple more tries and it should be good enough for her to stop wearing a baseball cap. (ha ha) Otherwise budget for what it costs you at home.

Health Insurance - doesn't change

Doctors - you should have fewer visits with this new stress free life

Chemists - see "Doctors"

Telephone - you decide who and how long the calls will be, mobile, phonecard or public phone.

Hobbies - not expensive but possibly more than what you do now.

Accommodation - We have budgeted for 3 days in a caravan park, 3 days in a national park and 1 day free camping. You decide on the ratio that you would like. $25 - caravan park, $15 - national park and free is free of course.

Entertainment - Hard one, depends what you want. Tours, Dinner etc.

Put it all together and bingo, you too can go touring.

Peter and Sandy

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