“Money, it is often said, does not bring happiness; it must be added, however, that it makes it possible to support unhappiness with exemplary fortitude.” Robertson Davies “Tempest-Tost”
My travel budget is flexible depending on my financial circumstances. Here are my budget figures:
Level 1
My absolute minimum budget is $450 per month. This figure includes one very lean trip to the grocery store each week which costs approximately $10 per day plus $5 per day for snacks and drinks ($15 per day x 30 days = $450 per month).
Level 2
My normal budget is $600 per month. This figure includes $10 per day for groceries plus $10 per day for snacks and drinks ($20 per day x 30 days = $600 per month).
Level 3
My luxury budget is $800 per month. I like to stay at hotels occasionally, so I adjust my budget accordingly. I can tour by bicycle very comfortably on $800 per month. Naturally, this is my preferred budget.
If your budget cannot accommodate hotels, an alternative is to visit the Warm Showers website. Warm Showers connects hosts (usually individuals with prior bicycle touring experience) and bicycle tourists who need a FREE place to stay. Whenever I have used Warm Showers, it has been a wonderful experience and a great way to meet people with a shared interest in bicycle touring.
There are two more items to consider. I spend about $300 each year in transit on tires, tubes, chains, and cleats. Finally, during the winter months, I replace worn clothing and gear. This usually runs about $1,200 and gets me ready for another year on the road.
Emergencies
You need to budget for possible mechanical problems and emergencies. It is wise to set aside $1,000 for these types of things. It can cost $500 or more per week, for example, to stay in a hotel while waiting for an online parts order or to recover from an illness or injury.
On one trip, my trailer wheel hit a large piece of dried mud that had fallen off a piece of farm equipment. This caused the trailer to roll over and this, in turn, caused me to lose control. Fortunately, other than some road rash, I wasn’t hurt, but the front wheel of my bicycle ended up looking like a pretzel!
The least expensive and most expedient solution was to simply buy a bicycle at Walmart with 700 cm wheels. The entire bicycle cost only $79 plus tax, which is a great price for a new front wheel! As far as I know, all bicycle front hubs are 100 mm LTL (lock nut to lock nut) and are thus interchangeable. I gave the rest of the Walmart bicycle to a friendly Walmart employee, and was soon on my way. The new wheel performed remarkably well. When I finally returned home, I ordered a rim and built a new wheel using my original hub.
If you have an emergency, take your time and REALLY think. There is ALWAYS a step-by-step solution. Bear in mind that virtually any bicycle part can be purchased on eBay. I have a tendency to freak out and get depressed. That is not the way to find a solution!