What we spend in a month (living off-grid in the mountains of Spain)
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- Опубліковано 3 чер 2024
- In this video we break down exactly how much we spend in month to make our lifestyle a reality. For context, we live in an off-grid cabin in the north of Spain. Our objective is to minimise our costs whilst maximising our happiness. Are you surprised at how much we spend? Do you spend more or less than we do?
* We forgot to mention health insurance. As Spanish residents who pay for social security through our taxes, we don't need to get any additional private health insurance (the public healthcare system covers us). We have gotten private insurance in the past and it was between 90-160€ a month depending on the policy.
Video chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:07 Day to day costs
14:24 Overview of monthly costs
19:46 How our costs affect our decision-making
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#whatispend #offgrid
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I agree with the others that mentioned that you will have expenses where ever you are. Focus on what you can do on your land (start composting on a larger scale to build your soil ,maybe asking local farmers for waste). You can do more than you think you can and learning a new trade/skill is always rewarding.
Some reflections from an old dude...... Much of your costs are going to follow you, no matter where/how you live/travel. Some of your 'expenses' are actually building up 'assets', like the rent to buy. Owning and developing a lifestyle property requires constant work; hence is it called 'lifestyle'. Not easy to drop in/out of it without losing development time. If you are not ready to settle, you may be better off making that decision, but you will be sinking a lot of the cost/work done already. And when it is time to settle, you will be starting back close to the beginning again, with all the work and expenses associated with that. Having said all that; there are no wrong decisions, just make sure they make you happy.
Thank you for your insightful reflections! We agree with all your observations. We know it'll be hard to combine the different lifestyles we want without loosing development time. That's why we originally always thought we'd prioritise building a homestead and then see. But now that we're here we are also experiencing that there are a lot of slow periods where nothing is really going forward (because we don't have the permits, or the builders are too busy etc.). And finding ourselves stuck and just making it through the seasons feels a bit like a loss of time. We know we want to continue building this base, and that it will be a life-long project. But in the periods of waiting, we're excited about giving ourselves the opportunity to follow other dreams ☺
For that kind of money I'm living in Spain by the coast. And have kilos of fresh fish , vegetable and meat in the month. Incl. Gas and other costs. Also with going out for dinner. So I don't think it's the best way to save money. But if the lifestyle suits you it's a good life. But not for saving money
You are very inspiring and your property is amazing!!!!. I am Spanish too and when it comes to builders you have to go after them. Don't just take their word. You have to chase them every single week and plea them and then they will go with you. Normal business manners don't apply. They will work for the person who chases them the most. Also, the same with the permit. Go to the town hall every week, phone, chase, chase chase. Even if you go traveling keep chasing by sending emails, otherwise nothing will happen.
This is right! I'm Spanish too and things here work differently... You have to chase the construction workers all the time and, very important, be there every second of the process (or you won't get what you asked for). And for the permits... Ask, ask, ask, go there. Sit at the door of the person who is supposed to give it. It will take time but it's the only way. Alejandra, you know this as well, as you said you are Spanish. Don't go traveling, that's the easy door. I mean, yes from time to time, but here things won't just resolve by themselves. You have to chase them. Good luck and thanks for the honesty!
Yes, you're both so right! Spain does work differently and you have to chase for everything. We're taking this into account and will always make sure to be calling and insisting no matter what we're doing or where we are 😅❤
I would think travel would cost alot more than staying put thereby putting you farther in the hole. As far as down time when you can't get anyone to do things, I would think there are more than enough projects between both properties to keep you busy. Even if it is just prep stuff like cleaning out the cabins or making better driveways for access. Or even developing the workspace/greenhouse. By leaving to travel you lose all that prep and development time which is still going to have to be done. Putting you farther behind. And seeing how much joy you get from just being there, I would think the decision to stay would be easy. Just my thoughts. I hope for your success in whatever you do.
When we bought a spanish car we got a really good deal with an insurance company all risk, that gave us max discount because we are dutch.. if i remember looking it up later i can share it, itll probably save you a lot of money yearly...
Great video, very honest and open compared to any other videos I've seen about costs and budget. I'm shocked at how different the ratios of costs are compared with South Africa. Thank you for sharing.👍
Thank you! I always find it interesting to see what the costs for different lifestyles around the world are ☺
It would perhaps be worth doing a course in something like brick laying so you can do some building work yourselves. Also, if you are considering being out of the house travelling or whatever, you could consider doing some air bnb for people looking to get away from hectic life for a week.
...please oh please bring us w you on your travels...don't think I can enjoy my week fully w/o you two! xoxo
Oh for sure! We’ll bring you along regardless. But thank you for the love ❤️
Rent to own situations only benefit the actual owner. Too often, the 'renters' end up moving on and losing everything they've invested. This is not just a negative viewpoint, but a reality. I also fail to understand how your budget will improve if you are traveling rather than staying put and focusing your energies on home improvement (that doesn't require builders). Also, with builders, you need to pursue them and keep on top of them. How will you be ready if they suddenly get a break in their schedule and now have time for you? These are questions, not judgements ... I hope you understand that. Looking forward to future videos ... wherever they take us/you.
Thank you for your inputs. Luckily for us we’re renting from someone we really trust and have taken into account the possibility of our plans changing, so no issues there. And we know traveling will cost as much, but we also have done it before and know how much joy it brought us. We’re just trying to do what feels best for us 🙂
Bilbao is such an amazing place… and I’m sure I remember the coffee shop you visited. Thanks for the reminder ❤
It really is! ☺️
Well, the same way you invest in your dream house, you do in this channel. And obviously it will grow and give bigger fruits in the future. It has the potential of a 100.000 subscribers.
Here comes a personal recomendation to make your channel a bit more attractive: in general I find it quite stressful to listen to somebody who speaks nonstop and does not seem to breathe. Therefore I would appreciate a little pause between the sentences ...! Otherwise it sounds like one single 20 minute sentence, ufff! As you cut the video, please have this in mind. Also silence is meaningful.
Apart from this, do what makes you happy!
Thanks Peter! We'll take this into account in future videos 🤭❤
Great video, very brave of you to list your spends. There’s bound to be critics. Think if most of us sat down and listed our spends as you have I think 90% of us would be amazed at just how expensive life is!
But there isn’t an awful lot that we can do about them. We can tweak them here and there but just living day today day costs money. We all need shelter we all need food! What we do is supplement our basics, we grow veggies for ourselves. It helps with our costs for the length of time we are able to harvest them.
Life is for living not just existing! We all know we shouldn’t but once in a while we all need to have a “treat” Working to just pay bills sucks the joy of life out of you. So as they say, Buy the slice of cake, eat it and enjoy it” then get back on the pinwheel of life and try just a little harder to be kind to yourself! ❤
Exactly! ❤
Great info. Best of luck. Subbed
Your hard work and dedication shine through. 💪
Such awesome videos and such great people best of luck what ever you choose!! I will be waiting for the weekly video lol 👍🏻
Thank you so much!! ❤
Vuestros videos son geniales. Me encanta lo que estais haciendo. Además quiero agradeceros que esten en ingles. Pues estoy aprendiendo un montón. Seguid así.
Really interesting video. All the options are viable as long as you are together and enjoying it .❤❤
Exactly! Thank you ❤
Blessings from North Texas ❤
Me encanta vuestra filosofia de vida❤❤❤
I'm sure you're going to make the right decision what's the best for you in this particular moment.
It seems that the costs are about the same whether you travel or stay at the same place..... so you are free to do what makes you more happy and what makes you feel better at the moment!
Great! 😊Enjoy your life as much as possible! ❤️
Thank you! ♥️
Nice video somthing to think about. 😊
Thanks for sharing your cost of living, I think to help with your decision of where to go next perhaps another cost break down of what it would cost to do the other things off the land. Both the new costs plus the cost of not continuing on the land versus what you are now doing. How can you create new revenue streams, can you do that as a focus while waiting for the permits trades people etc. Staying focused on long term goals can be hard sometimes especially when so many road blocks surface. It is educational to listen to your thought process I look forward to each video. We live an alternative life style on a boat off the west coast of Canada and also own property so have similar discussions. Our costs of living are much higher here.
Yes, you're so right! We're constantly thinking about and comparing the costs of both our current and potential lifestyle, as well as checking in with how we're feeling. Keeping motivated in long term goals can be tricky yes, and we're also very aware of not getting stuck doing something whilst being unhappy just because it was a goal we set for ourselves x time ago. I think we're extra vigilant this time because we've come out of a long period of fully dedicating ourselves to working and saving, and whilst we were successful in getting to the finish line, it came at a huge cost to our happiness.
So cool that you live on a boat in Canada btw! ❤
Hola chicos!!! Pense que habiais comprado la casa!! Porque si la teneis en alquiler como pensais en renovarla????.teneis un terreno en propiedad ahi??.gracias por compartir y ojala se cumplan vuestros sueños
Hola cochicos,no se si la otra finca con las cabañas es vuestra, pero si es asi yo una de las cabañas la arreglaria para vivienda y me quitaría el alquiler, pagais mucho y seria un buen ahorro, seria mi primer objetivo y en esa propiedad donde viven ahora le meteria el minimo dinero si es que no os quedáis a vivir ,preguntar mucho los precios para tener opciones la gente en esos pueblos tan aislados se aprovechan mucho y suben los precios, un beso ❤❤
When you bought your "land" you did not know, that you will also buy the house, where you now live. May be, you could sell the "land"? Than you have money to renovate the little house. I think, it is a great place to live. Sometimes dreams chance...
Would travel be cheeper? I own land and there is always so much to do even without any construction. Any possibility to buy a "tiny" house (ready to live in and movable) and put it on your land?
Thanks for the informative spend breakdown. It's something we all should do, regardardless of our situation. One thing that had me perplexed at the end of the video was the conversation about traveling instead of staying on the homestead. How would traveling be cheaper? You'll still need ot pay for rent on the cabin etc, right? Seems that your expenses would only increase.
Yes, we perhaps didn't explain ourselves very well. The question is more about our level of happiness than anything. We don't talk about all the issues the home has right this moment because we don't want to be seen as complaining. But the reality is that this winter has been quite tough at times. Living there in its current state is worth it for us only if we're able to make big changes and see progress. Last time we traveled for 1,5 years we were able to do it for considerably less than the monthly expenses we're having now. We are aware that this time it won't be the same, but that it'll for sure be worth it for our morale if we're able to leave for a few months here and there. And morale is everything when taking on big projects 🙃 Hope this explains our thought process a bit more!
Cool. Yes it seems like a big project with a lot to do. Hopefully you'll find the right balance. Maybe traveling during the winter months to somewhere warm to recharge the batteries and return during Spring-Fall to tackle the projects at the cabin. I'm taking on a similar project next door in Asturias so living through you two vicariously at the moment to get a feel for life off grid. Hang in there! @@WaleandMe
@@glenn.frye1 Ah that's amazing! Good luck with your project 💪😀
What about health insurance, taxes, pension saving - no costs??
Do you spend any money for helth insurance or an pension plan?
Not at this moment no. As Spanish residents who pay for social security through our taxes, the public healthcare system covers us 😊
That tow bar is a rip off, they are usually 200-250 fitted
Im quite surprised with your heating bill. Thats only wood for a fire. My electricity bill here in Switzerland is about the same... only difference? Its for everything. Then again, my rent is five times higher. 😂😂
I know right?! I was also shocked at how high it is, specially considering we've been cold most of the time 😅 Just goes to show how important having an efficient heating system and an insulated house can be. We'll definitely work on it for the future, and because now we have a lot more time to prepare for the next years, we'll be able to get firewood for a better price 🤞
Your experience in Switzerland feels similar to the Netherlands where utilities are well priced but rent just kills you.. Wishing you the best ❤❤
Confused! Did you buy the house you’re living in as well as your property
What about costs for insurance, health insurance e.g.?
I added a little note in the description because I forgot to mention it in the video, but basically as Spanish residents who pay for social security through our taxes, the public healthcare system covers us 🙂
You don’t need to put music on your videos, it serves no purpose, I always mute it when it comes on. If I want to listen to music, I,ll listen to stuff I like.
THE PART TO MENTION THE FINANCIAL TYPE APP TO SAY IT'S NOT SPONSORED, IS IT THE NEW TRICK TO GIVE CREDIBILITY TO IT ?
No. If something is sponsored we legally have to mention it, so we were just clarifying that this is not. We have no interest in anyone using this app. We just tell you which one we use because there are many options out there and it took us a while to find one we liked 🤷♀️
If you'll be traveling then some of the money you'll "save" is what you'll need to develop your properties later anyway. Every time you go away for a few weeks, you have to clean up the area when you come back. Now you should focus on garden work - growing your own vegetables and fruits. This requires almost no financial outlay. And right now you have time to prepare your beds, collect seeds, see which vegetables are good to grow on the land. Plant fruit trees that will begin to bear fruit only in a few years. Bottom line: since you will continue to pay the cost of renting your house while traveling, I am sorry to have to disappoint you, but unfortunately you will not save anything. Your monthly expenses will still be at the level of 2,000 euros, but there will be no investment in the property at this time. Besides, travel videos on yt are less clicked than those related to living off grid. Look at Luca and Sara from Leave every thing and wonder what kind of stats the travel ones have vs. the ones related to homastead living. :( Will you be happier? That's probably the key question at this point. I wish you all the best.
PS. It would be useful to remind viewers in the videos to subscribe. :)
What work do you do? It can't all be this pod casting slash you tube stuff can it?
ifyou do nothing cost also nothing
Sounds expensive
life is a cost
Hi Guys. First of all THANK YOU for your HOMESTY AND INSIGHT. I believe, you do NOT do enough of your Homework in all this. Then you make things more complicated by your vegan, no Animals etc LIVESTYLE. You will ALLWAYS need cash with an Acreage as you have. You could fish, raise the special black pigs and sell the meat, look for Truffles too. Just sitting there and NOT PRODUCING ANY SELLABLE PRODUCTS, makes no sense. Especially when you need to buy medication etc. I was in the same Shoes as you. I am a Swiss-Canadian Cititzen and I bought in Spain a Sailboat. I worked now for years on it to become fully self contained. I fish, I grow Salds, have Solar, Wind generator etc. There are always costs on a Boat. But I can leave and go where ever I want. So, I am 🆓!!
Humans are, based on our Jaw shapes, Teeth and digestive systems, omniverous. To ignore this, is in my opinion, somewhat stupid. I do however admire your property and house choices.
You can’t afford to go travelling, life’s not like that , you’ll have to go back to Holland and get jobs!
Interesting observation! How come that you know better than them what they can or can not afford, or in which country they should live and what they should do in their lives ?!
Amazing!