Planning a roadtrip..

[Chavo]

x86] link=topic=6529.msg79003#msg79003 date=1152237915]
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

[iago]

- gas is more expensive in Canada

Right now, you're looking at about $4.80/gallon, Canadian.

- don't forget whatever costs you may have just to make money

Gotta have the condoms

- use a cooler and bring food + replenish the cooler at grocery stores, restaurants hurt a road trip budget bad

That's the best part, but expensive.  Also, don't try to bring food over the border.

[Chavo]

Gotta have the condoms

lol...

That's the best part, but expensive.  Also, don't try to bring food over the border.

forgot about the border thing!

I'm not advocating avoiding restaurants alltogether.  I thoroughly enjoy finding unique food in new places.  I mean don't blow your budget on fast food or chain restaurants for breakfast/lunch/snacks.

I don't know what the laws are on leaving the country as a minor either so you might check into that.

[deadly7]

Right now, you're looking at about $4.80/gallon, Canadian.

So something like.. $4.20/gallon, American?  Last I remember, our currency in the US sucks. :p

Gotta have the condoms

I think you missed this post..

That's the best part, but expensive.  Also, don't try to bring food over the border.

Hah.  I brought Indian food over.  After they searched our car they were like "okay you can go"; food and all.

[Ergot]

Hah.  I brought Indian food over.  After they searched our car they were like "okay you can go"; food and all.

Because it smelled so bad.

[iago]

Right now, you're looking at about $4.80/gallon, Canadian.

So something like.. $4.20/gallon, American?  Last I remember, our currency in the US sucks. :p

CAD$4.80 = USD$4.32.  From Google.

Hah.  I brought Indian food over.  After they searched our car they were like "okay you can go"; food and all.

I don't know when that was, but they've gotten much stricter in the last couple years. 

[Ergot]

Factor in fees/comission it's about 1:1 :\

[deadly7]

Right now, you're looking at about $4.80/gallon, Canadian.

So something like.. $4.20/gallon, American?  Last I remember, our currency in the US sucks. :p

CAD$4.80 = USD$4.32.  From Google.

Hah.  I brought Indian food over.  After they searched our car they were like "okay you can go"; food and all.

I don't know when that was, but they've gotten much stricter in the last couple years. 

Yeah, it was like.. four-five years ago.

[Blaze]

You don't need a passport to get into Canada being a US Citizen, but then again, Deadly, you are brown... stop trying to blow up our prime minister!   ;)

[Nate]

Can you be a life guard in Wisconsin in December???  Also whoever asked about cheap car insurance mine is US$24 a month.  USAA ftw

[Ergot]

You don't need a passport to get into Canada being a US Citizen, but then again, Deadly, you are brown... stop trying to blow up our prime minister!   ;)

Yep, but I need a passport being a US Citizen to get back in the US. ;\

[dark_drake]

Just a thought, but are you not planning on driving anywhere once you get to Winnipeg?  Seriously, are you just going there and coming straight back, or do you plan to drive around and see some sites?

[rabbit]

He's Joe, what do you think?

[iago]

Well, about 100km north of Winnipeg, on Lake Winnipeg, we have (apparently) one of the nicest beaches in the world, "Grand Beach".  That's always a good destination :)

[Sidoh]

Can you be a life guard in Wisconsin in December??? 

Nah, Wisconsin has laws against building indoor pools.