FBJ Creations and living and traveling in a Bus

Photo Source: Mrs FBJ

While camping on Assateague Island this past week, I saw this creatively painted bus and had to check it out. There was a canopy outside advertising FBJ Creations and I had thought they designed the bus. Actually, they make custom bike bags and had converted the bus as a traveling home, workshop and office. Yes, we went to talk with them. They even let us see the inside of the bus. Very cool!

Bryon and Becky, their two children and dog are living the dream. Originally from Idaho, they are currently touring the east coast – working, biking, camping and doing what they want. Many of the craft fairs they were to participate in were cancelled due to the pandemic but are doing well with online sales. Bryon told me that the pandemic actually helped them in starting their dream quicker as he had the time to refurbish the bus and get on the road.

The day after we spoke with them, they left Maryland and from their blog post, they headed to Connecticut where father and daughter participated in a BMX bike race! Now if that isn’t living the dream, I don’t know what is! You can check out their website here and read their blog. If you are a bike enthusiast, and want a custom bike bag, check out their shop.

We all can get out there and live our dreams!

2019 Passive Income

My second year of keeping track of my passive income saw an increase by 12%.  Total passive income for 2019 was $8,755 (2018 was $7,803).  Most of it (72%) was from dividends but that counts, doesn’t it?  My plans are increasing this each year before my wife retires.  Sure wish I did this decades ago.  I am all increasing my presence on eBay, not so much on Amazon.  Other income includes sales of my artwork, garage sales and recycling.  I also received gift cards totaling $756.  Although, not cash, I include this as I use it to buy gifts and/or household items.  Sure helps with the budget.

Here’s the breakdown of passive income for 2019:
Survey Income $282
Interest Income $3
Divident Income $6,314
Shopping Rebates $13
Ebay Sales (net fees and shipping) $1,409
Amazon Sales (net fees and shipping) $53
Blog Income $227
Other Passive Income $337

2019 Expense Percentages

I just did an analysis of all our expenses for 2019.  I was somewhat surprised to see the results.  Although I won’t give dollar amounts, I shall share the percentages of money spent last year.  It was too much, with little going to savings, but hopefully 2020 will be better.

House repairs was almost 19% of our expenses and the biggest expense.  Let’s hope we have none of that this year.

Net up are incomes taxes which was about 15%.  I guess when we retire this will become less.  It is a necessary evil.

Third highest expense is loan payments 13%.  That will end soon and we will have more money in savings.

Number four is the car, which includes car payments, gas and maintenance at 8.35%,

Number five is retirement contributions at 8.25%.  This is a good thing, just wish we could make it higher.

Next up is health insurance, another necessary evil but was only 6.25%. Thank goodness my wife’s company pays for half, making our payments so low.

Number seven is groceries.  I do the shopping and think we spend too much.  It is 5.5% of our expenses.

The last two that I will include as everything use in under 2% is vacation and entertainment.  Both are 5% each of our total expenses.  We love to travel and I thought it would be more but then again, we are frugal and find great deals!

All these are 85.35% of our expenses.  Percentages will change when our incomes change, so it will be interesting to see what 2020 brings!