I did a border run to Laos whilst in Udon Thanni....one hour bus ride to border one hour through Thai, Laos Thai border 40 dollars to Laos immigration back on bus so about 3 to 4 hours from Udon Thani
Perhaps not that helpful....you can live cheaply...a small bottle of Chang can be over 100 baht in Phuket...120 some places but in a bar in rural north 60 baht. Same with food can be 50 per cent cheaper