
Living in Mexico on a 30,000 pesos monthly budget with a Honda CRV:
Monthly Budget (Total: $30,000 MXN)
Rent: $8,500
Groceries & Household: $9,000
House Utilities (Gas, Light, Water, Net): $1,800
CR-V Fuel (Gasolina): $2,650
CR-V Annual Insurance: $800
This covers a yearly premium of ~$9,600 MXN. By "paying yourself" $800 a month, you'll have the full amount ready when the bill comes due.
CR-V Maintenance Fund: $400
Set aside for oil changes and tires.
School & Healthcare: $2,500
Family Fun: $2,000
Savings / Emergency Fund: $2,350
Food budget breakdown:
Where the $9,000 goes each month:
The Weekly Fresh Market (Tianguis): $1,000 per week ($4,000 total)
Meat & Protein: 2kg of chicken, 1kg of beef or pork, and a large carton of 30 eggs.
Fresh Produce: All your tomatoes, onions, potatoes, lemons, and seasonal fruits like bananas or papaya.
Daily Tortillas: Freshly made from the local tortillería (buying them here is cheaper than the supermarket).
The Monthly Supermarket Bulk Trip: $3,500 total
Pantry Grains: Large bags of rice, dry beans, lentils, and pasta.
Cooking Essentials: Vegetable oil, salt, sugar, and coffee.
Dairy: Milk for the kids and cheese (like Panela or Oaxaca).
Bakery: Sandwich bread and crackers.
Household & Personal Care: $1,500 total
Cleaning Supplies: Large containers of laundry detergent, dish soap, and floor cleaner.
Hygiene: Toilet paper, toothpaste, soap, and shampoo.
3 Golden Rules to Stay on Budget
The "Beans & Rice" Base: In Mexico, the most affordable way to fill up a growing family is to make beans and rice the star of every meal. It stretches expensive meat significantly further.
Avoid the "Súper" for Veggies: Supermarkets like Walmart or Soriana often charge double for tomatoes and onions compared to your local tianguis. Save the supermarket only for boxed or bottled goods.
Drink "Agua de Fruta": A 2-liter bottle of soda now costs over 35 pesos. Making a pitcher of water with a little sugar and a single piece of fruit from the market costs less than 5 pesos and is much healthier for the kids.