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02-01-2021, 05:44 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Texas Boomers Club Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Argyle, TX
Posts: 19
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Travel expense tracking
I'm curious to know if/how folks track expenses.
In the past we've made no attempt to record, track, analyze, etc what we spent. We are planning a 100 day road trip this summer and I want to track all expenditures.
What is an effective way to track expenses?
I have: Android phone, Android tablet and Windows 10 laptop.
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02-01-2021, 06:07 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Rendon, Texas
Posts: 648
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We spend 4 to 6 months every summer traveling. We do not formally track all expenses. I use a cash back CC for everything possible. That gives me a good idea of what we are spending. I have a prepaid discount card from FMCA for diesel at specific truck stops.
__________________
Howard & Elaine
2001 Newmar Dutch Star 4095, CAT 330
2014 SRX toad, M&G breaking, Blue OX Avail
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02-01-2021, 06:14 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Sunrise In Central Nebraska
Posts: 772
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I made an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of all my expenses when we bought our MH. You can put anything you want when setting it up, let it do all the figuring for you. Since you'll have a laptop, you can put these figures as you travel so than you will be able to see your total expenditures in real time.
__________________
Ken in Nebraska
98 Fleetwood Pace Arrow, 35U
97 Ford F53 chassis
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02-01-2021, 06:23 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Jackson,Ohio
Posts: 398
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I use a cash back credit card and a Flying J gas card. That is all.
If you have to worry about the cost then don't go.
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02-01-2021, 06:34 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 3,722
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I know that some folks need to keep an accurate running tally for whatever reason. I don't. It detracts from my enjoyment of the trip. I do keep a rough tally in my head but don't dwell on it. I spent X dollars on fuel - Check. I spent X on an overnight stay. Check. I spent so much on admissions/entertainment. Check.So much on food, etc, etc. What it boils down to is an average and for us, right at $125 a day. Our last 35 day trip came out to about $3600-$3800.
If it's a necessity for a close budget trip, Excel works great. If it's in your personal makeup - I still would probably think Excel (or in my case, Open Office since it's free and very much like pre 2010 MS Office
__________________
Dave W
2011 Ford F250 6.7 Lariat CCLB, Gone but not forgotten
2014 Montana High Country 343RL (sold it!)
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02-01-2021, 06:39 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 392
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I just track fuel expense and mileage only. For me its a pocketbook blowout. Whatever I see or want to do I do.
I track the fuel expense/mileage on a paper tablet. If I was gone as long as you are I would do something different but for us its 2 weeks at a time at best.
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02-01-2021, 06:43 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,698
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Since you have Android devices, try an App called off-line ledger. You can use it like other checkbook programs and enter your credit cards, cash and bank accounts. You can create any spending categories that you want. You can also export to an excel file to sort things any way you want.
__________________
TeamFoxy ~ Traveling North America
2016 Newmar Canyon Star 3710
2017 Chevy Equinox in tow.
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02-01-2021, 07:07 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 403
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To me, "phone" is merely a seldom-used app on my "peripheral brain," which primarily functions as GPS, car stereo (via bluetooth speakers) and cable box (YouTube TV, via Chromecast). It keeps my insurance cards, boarding passes and all the cryptic messages I used to keep hanging on sticky notes everywhere. It has the Freightliner app, where I keep service records, and keeps the boys in Spartanburg on speed dial (just saying)
It's also my accounting system, cuz I can pull up my banking app and see everything I'm spending. They even have apps that track your mileage if you want.
I have a separate ATM card for business, which is linked to quickbooks; all deductible travel expenses go through that more or less automated system.
For private expenses, there's an argument for having a credit card just for travel. Among other things, some parts of the country are having a real problem with credit card skimmers, perhaps best not to use your personal ATM card out on the great American road. Also nice to have about $2000 set aside, either in credit or cash, in case you get a little surprise somewhere out in Arkansas or what have you. Just sayin.
Point being, don't make your fingers do the walking. Let the "phone" do your data entry; we do enough of that at work.
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02-01-2021, 02:05 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Alberta Canada
Posts: 704
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We use excel spreadsheet or in our case in recent years being all MAC based we use "numbers". I like the way we can sort and manipulate the data as we choose and I've used spreadsheets for many many years in business so found it easy.
However ........ we have considered the app Trail Wallet lately not sure if it's available on Android? First 25 transactions are free and a small fee for the app after that number.
Others that caught our eye are Spendee, Trabee pocket and Travel Expense Manager = think these are android options.
Be interesting to see what you decide to work with and how you find it's ease of use.
Happy Travels.
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02-01-2021, 02:16 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 5 miles south of Lakeville, Mn
Posts: 3,047
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I made my own travel log book just like we used in military aircraft, except I have tabs for comments on CGs, food, ect. I also keep a tab open for fuel and oil as well as repairs. It really helps to go back a few years now and then.
__________________
Jim and Carol Cooper with Oreo the Kitty
FAA ATC ret, VFW, AL, VVA, NRA
US Army Aviation, MACV Vietnam 65-66
2012 Journey 36M, Cummings 360hp
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02-01-2021, 02:24 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bermuda Islands
Posts: 1,485
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The DW keeps a spreadsheet on the go to keep track of truck & trailer maintenance, fuel, accommodation, entertainment, Grocery & the biggest one, miscellaneous.
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Home: Bermuda
US RV base, MD
2007 Alpenlite 34RLR
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02-01-2021, 03:21 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: DeLand, FL
Posts: 9,206
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We do not track our expenses. But figure between $100.00 to $125.00 per day. We go to have a good time and really do not worry about what we spend. But do not throw money at silly things..
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02-01-2021, 03:26 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,138
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On our trips we use one credit card and put EVERYTHING on it. At the end of the trip we pay it off and divide the sum by the number of days.
It comes out to about $100 a day. That includes tours, clothes we buy, RV Parks, gasoline, food, etc..
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
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02-01-2021, 04:35 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,767
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For the past 30 yr or more I've entered every single penny we spend into Quicken using categories. It's then easy to do any kind of report you want and also do a search for something you've bought and where. Our checking and credit cards are also reconciled through it.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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