Alright, so over Christmas Vacation this upcoming year, I might want to go to either Mexico or Canada (probably Canada) just for the hell of it. I'm planning to apply for a lifeguarding job in Wisconsin Dells when I turn 16 (September 25th), and starting wage is about $8. I've sorted out the hours I could work and they added up to 24, so from there, simple math.
8 x 24 = $192 per week
Assuming four weeks per month, roughly, $192 x 4 = $668.
Assuming three months from the end of September to the end of December, 3 x $668 = $2004.
From there, I'd like to assume it's roughly 1000 miles from Madison to Winnipeg. At 30 miles per gallon and $3 per gallon, that'd be about $1 for 10 miles, and $100 for 1000 miles. Naturally, I have to get home too, so it'll be $200.
So after paying income taxes, which my dad said was roughly 33%, I'll have roughly $1350. Pay gas prices and have $1150. Pay insurance and have somewhat around $1000 spending money left when I'm in Canada.
Does anyone see a ridiculous error in my math, beyond the fact that I'm obviously going to spend a bit of the money I'm supposed to be saving up?
- at $192/week, your income tax will probably be at most 13-15%
- gas is more expensive in Canada
- plan on backtracking miles in your gas planning
- don't forget whatever costs you may have just to make money
- use a cooler and bring food + replenish the cooler at grocery stores, restaurants hurt a road trip budget bad
- so do hotels, same yourself a bunch of money by going to Canada in the Summer instead when you can actually camp outside
