The Inevitable, but not so Lovable...
BUDGET :/
Thinking about, planning, and explaining finances is definitely not my cup of tea. I think many of us would much rather just soak in this sunset I caught near Dunedin with a cup of tea and skip this whole topic. However, it is a very important one that we will power through together :)
​
Dan and I had a rough idea of a budget before we arrived in New Zealand, but quickly we realized how expensive it is and the importance of developing a more specific, constant budget. In this section we will give you an idea of what we are spending on a daily basis so that you can have a benchmark idea when you start planning.
While traveling Dan and I set aside time each week to track and record our expenses. We simply have an ongoing google spreadsheet and we track all of our expenses in categories such as groceries, gas, eating out, accommodation, activities, laundry, cell phone, etc. We highly recommend having some way to track how much you are spending so you always have a rough idea of how you sit financially. Read below to find more specifics on our daily expenses.
Accommodation:
Campsite: $15-20
Hostel: $30-40
​
*Groceries: $15-20
Dining-out: $20-30/meal
Fast food: $10-20
​
Alcoholic Drink:$7-10 (bar)
Liquor store: $10+ 6-pack
​
Gas:$20 per 100 kilometers
Roughly $120 to fill our 60L tank
Activities:Various depending on what you want to do
*Always look at bookme.co.nz for discounts on excursions.
​
Laundry:$4-8 a load for washer and dryer
​
Cellphone: $10-25 per month dependent on amount of data, minutes, & text
​
Camping Supplies (fuel,batteries, kitchen needs): $20/month
One-time Purchases:
​
Car Insurance with Roadside Assistance (12 months): $782
​
Camper-van: $6,000
​
Ferry to South Island (with Vehicle & One-way): $260
​
Oil-change: $120-240 depending on location and vehicle
Cost in NZD and figured per person/per day
*Groceries will vary greatly depending on your diet. We primarily eat pasta and rice with a variety of sauces and fresh fruits & vegetables.We buy many on-sale items and limit meat because it is very expensive.
To give you an idea of expenses for a longer period of time I will break down our month of April. Dan and I spent $1,790 during this month. This included a trip to Stewart Island which cost about $350. We also were on the move a lot and spent $360 on gas. Accommodation included free campgrounds and we spent one week at an airBnB for $250. Groceries came to $670 including alcohol. Every month will be different but being prepared for it makes a big difference. As you have probably discovered, it is expensive but there are many ways to reduce costs and make it possible!