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How much will the trip cost? Home Expenses In order for us to be away from home for two months, we need to have enough funds to cover our monthly expenses, which include mortgage, taxes, insurance and utilities. This has to be included into the overall cost because we are self-employed and otherwise we just couldn't afford to be away for 2 months. Colin (the Dad) is a piano tuner-technician so we’re not independently wealthy J Our estimated expense is $9,000 for the two months. Travel Expenses 2. Lodging - We will be mainly using an established network of individuals
who offer low-cost lodging. In addition we have been generously allowed to use a time-share week through the RCI network
for a week in San Francisco, which gives us free lodging and a place to rest mid-point after traveling across the U.S. These options should keep our need for traditional hotels to a minimum. We also considered camping but with our limited packing space in the Beetle, bringing all the camping supplies just wouldn't be practical for us. 3. Food - Because of the limited storage space in the Beetle, we are going to have to buy our food as we travel. Websites such as www.vegdining.com and www.happycow.net will make finding vegan and veg-friendly restaurants easy. Markets should provide us with enough snacks and portable meals for our limited space. I estimate that buying food will be our largest travel expense. 4. GPS & Laptop GPS - I've heard enough travel horror stories of parents fighting over outdated road maps and directions. A small investment in modern technology should save us from that fate. Laptop - Getting a laptop will enable me to transfer footage onto DVD and do the editing on the road, rather than face the prospect of putting all the five-minute videos together after we get home. A laptop would also allow us to keep up with email on the road, as well as helping to locate places to eat and other stops along the way.
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