I would like to find a sample page for keeping track of RVing expenses.  There are books you can buy, but I don't want to spend $25 or more for a book of 80 or so pages.  I know it sounds heretical in this world of hi tech solutions, but it never made sense to me to have to turn on the computer, call up a spreadsheet program, make an entry, and then save.  For me it would be a lot faster to have a binder or notebook where I can record expenses as they happen and once in a while add them up, figure mileage or whatever.  I'm no mathemetician but I've always been good at arithmetic, and figure numbers in my head very easily, so I'd like to keep that part of my brain working for as long as possible.

I'm sure there is something out there that can be printed and used to keep a log, and I'd appreciate it if anyone could direct me to it.  Thanks.

gypsy

Gypsy...they are out there but you will have to look hard for them. Everything is paperless now days. If you find one it will be in the form of a truckers log book. Milage food expence etc. Even now the truckers put so much on their own computers and then print them out when they need to show a record. You could do the same with a spread sheet in Excel. Work one up and then print it out for your pencil use. Once you fill it all in then you could record your information back on your spread sheet or scan it... and save it to a file and keep it for later reference. Just a thought...maybe someone out here has one they use??? Speedy

Hi Gypsy, I don't know if its going to work (we leave in 2 weeks) but my initial plan is to write each days expenses right on the calendar page and then at the end of the month enter it all into an Excel spreadsheet. Loralie ps...I so enjoy your blog and hope to meet you some day...you are quite the inspiration for me!!!

Gypsy,
Have you checked out the "RV Notebook" at http://www.rvnotebook.com/ ?  Yes, it is more than what you intended to spend but should be a one time purchase. Looks pretty good, they seem to have covered all the bases as far as RV expenses.

Hi Gypsy....if you keep an Excel Spread sheet on your computer, just print it out each month (Blank, without the numbers filled in), then record your figures daily or whenever you like. At the end of the month you can just pull up your spreadsheet and enter your figures, then you'll have it up to date.

If you don't have Excel or some other spread sheet program, send me your snail mail address and I will be glad to print one and mail it to you. Then you can just use the "page" for your budget items. Make copies before you use it and you'll be good to go.
Hugs,
Molly

-- Edited by TheBobGuy at 11:12, 2009-01-15

Thanks to all who have replied.  Yes, I have Excel and I've decided to print some pages with the headings, and just record the figures in pencil.  I wanted to avoid duplication of work, which will occur if I then transfer all my penciled figures & info to the computer.  But I'm not willing to pay $20 or more for a book of 80 pges with spaces for a lot of stuff that doesn't apply to me, so I guess the excel pages are my best bet.  I did 3 worksheets:  Maintenance; Fuel & Campgrounds; and Misc Expenses.  I really just want ballpark estimates by category, so I can come up with a budget that is fairly close.  Especially in the 1st year of fulltiming, it is difficult to say in advance what your expenses will be and they will always be more than you think! 

gypsy