Life on the road
Well, we’re into February now, which means it’s time to look back at how we went financially in January.
Overall, January turned out to be an okay month money-wise. It was also a fairly quiet time of year for us. Most of the campsites we stayed at had already been prepaid in December, which helped to keep January’s numbers looking a bit healthier.
The Numbers
Explanations
- Accommodation– We’re still spending a fair bit here on bookings. Down in the south-west of WA, and at this time of year, we tend to prefer caravan parks — mainly for the facilities like power, water, and decent amenities. With the occasional heatwaves coming through, having access to air-conditioning has been a lifesaver.
- Takeaway / Alcohol– This category covers coffee and cake, meals out, pizza, and the occasional drink. We’re in a wine region at the moment, with plenty of wineries, breweries, and natural food spots around, so we’ve taken the opportunity to enjoy what’s on offer.
- Groceries– We’re still spending a lot of time in smaller towns where IGA is king. We’ve actually been pleasantly surprised by the range at IGA Denmark — lots of natural foods and pre-made meals. Not cheap, of course, but the convenience and choice have been good.
- Mobile Data (Starlink)– Starlink has now been put on pause for this period. We use a combination of Telstra and Starlink, and when we’re close to towns or have reliable mobile coverage, we tend to pause Starlink. Doing this saves us a noticeable amount of money and works well for the way we travel.
- Subscriptions– There was a yearly subscription payment in here. Subscriptions remain an area of contention for us, and something we continue to review.
Summary
Expenses – Sumary
| Month | Total | Acommodation (avg/ay) | Expenses (avg/day) | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | $ 8,211 | $ 87.5 | $ 177 | $ 264 |
| January | $ 4,090 | $ 20.8 | $ 111 | $ 131 |
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As you can see, the daily averages can swing around quite a bit. Accommodation bookings and the distance travelled are usually the biggest factors. Food, drinks, and eating out tend to stay relatively consistent from month to month.
Now that we’re into February, our attention will start shifting north for the winter months. During that time, we generally do a lot more free camping, which usually brings accommodation costs down quite a bit compared to the summer period in the south.
Thanks for reading January Expenses 2026. Shadow, the van, and the two of us will catch you at the next campsite.
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