The Cost of "No Expenses"

A common phrase I hear is " it must be nice to have no expenses."

Yes, I am very lucky to have a job where my accommodation and food is provided.

My expenses/ financial commitments are few but they do exist.

There are some things on board that I do pay for. And back in Canada I also have monthly expenses that I have to cover.

1. 
   My storage locker is $104.00 a month
   
   


2. Insurance on the locker is $24 a month


3. Storage for my car is $100.00 a month


4. Insurance on the car is about $20.00 a month


5. My phone is $72.00 a month.


6. Medical is $69.25 a month


7. My PO box is $12.50 a month

That's everything that I can think of for now. So it costs me $401.75 a month not to be in Canada.

 

There are a few things that I need to look at changing. Because I'm outside of Canada for more than 180 days a year I am no longer entitled to free medical care. But until I fill in the paperwork to prove I'm not resident I have to keep paying.

 

The phone I can probably get a cheaper plan for. Last year I dropped to $15 a month just to keep the number. But the voicemail wasn't active. Plus they added 6 months to my contract. This time I forgot to do anything about it.

On the ship my expenses are minimal but again they do exist.

I pay for any drinks except "tap water" and instant coffee. So alcohol, diet coke, lattes, bottled water. A bottle of beer is cheaper than a latte. So guess which one I drink more of?

I pay for internet. 400 minutes is $40.00 and it's slooooooooooooooooooow. I don't often buy an internet pass, I prefer to wait until I'm in a port and get free or cheap but fast wifi.

If I want to phone home a phone card is $10.00.

I provide my own uniform. I bring two pair of black pants, one jacket and about 7 shirts. They only last one contract. The laundry uses bleach and the shirts barely last the six months. In fact two didn't, they fell apart at the seams.mi get my shirts from Winners, Marshall's, Ross, Target etc and pants from the Gap. It was probably about $250.00 for my uniform.

Shoes - last contract I went through two pair. This contract I'm still on my first pair but I'm praying they will last the next 4 days. They are being held together with black electrical tape! I wear the same pair of shoes for 72 hours a week, for 6 months, and I get my shoes from Payless, so I can't expect much more out of them.

Then there are just regular costs that I would have at home... Toiletries, non prescription medication, laundry powder.

I probably spend about $200-$300 a month on the above. And that doesn't included meals in port or sightseeing etc.

It is still much cheaper than paying rent/mortgage, and paying strata hydro, gas, internet, phone, cable, car registration, insurance, property taxes etc.

 

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