Cost to Cruise - November - and a bit of Soap box

Wow, talk about Budget Busters.  If you follow some of the other Cost to Cruise summaries (like 3rd Day's) you will notice one thing in common:  They are largely located Down South.  Why do I point this out?  Medical costs.  This month is a bust, a BIG BUST, and it is due to medical costs.  Dentist and Eye exams make up the vast majority of it as the physicals Kristi and I had have not worked through the insurance companies yet - be ready for December.

When someone asks 'What does it cost to go Cruising?' the first thought is largely the Boat, then Fuel, then perhaps food, etc.  However, when one is semi-retired and not on one of those $800/mo 'medical plans' that companies have 'traditionally' funded for their employees, Healthcare comes into play.  For Kristi and I, this is definitely true this month.  (and, I have not included the cost for my Appendicitis last spring:  we are still paying that off).

This last couple of years there has been a lot of political talk about Healthcare and this blog is perhaps not the place to dig into it.  But I will point out:  Those folks who are cruising down south will in no way see the costs Kristi and I will while remaining in the USA.  And in the end, perhaps that is the Single Largest Variable to 'What does it cost to go Cruising?'.  Staying in the USA.

COSTS	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Average
Maintenance:	$        1,267	$            378	$            184	$              73	$               66	$                393
Fuel:	$        1,195	$            (15)	$                 9	$            554	$                -	$                349
Moorage:	$            190	$               -	$            136	$            558	$             968	$                370
Groceries:	$            633	$            619	$            428	$            807	$             887	$                675
Dining Out/Entertainment:	$            244	$            275	$            390	$            414	$             307	$                326
Personal:	$            299	$            297	$            161	$            118	$             117	$                198
Insurance + Medical:	$            314	$            314	$            314	$        1,142	$         3,383	$            1,093
Transportation:	$               -	$              24	$                 8	$              15		$                  12
Communication:	$            140	$            166	$            138	$            302	$               51	$                159
Miscellaneous:	$               -	$               -	$                 5	$              25	$               10	$                    8
Total:	$ 4,282	$ 2,058	$ 1,773	$ 4,007	$  5,788	$    3,582
HOURS						Average
Main Motor:	77	33	26	42	2	36
Generator / Water Maker:	4	67	54	7	-	33
Hurricane Heater:	28	61	60	37	58	49
Friday Harbor Elec - KW/h:	-	-	-	-	577	577

Some notes:  Moorage reflects November+deposit.  Our revised approach to Communication is starting to show its savings.  Groceries continues to reflect the wide verity of Wine shops around here, even a Vineyard who will happily bus to and back from their yearly celebration at the vineyard.  We are zeroing in on the best approach and balance between all the methods of heating air and water.