The Planning
Before we look at Travelling, we looked into how to save money on items that we are not going to use while we are away.
Such things as mobile phone costs, not paying private health insurance, disconnecting Internet as for gas and electricity we can just switch off.
Vehicle insurance, rates, bills we can't do anything about as they will still be needed or we can't put on hold.
This is how we did it. The mobile phone costs was a simple one. We went to www.comparethemarket.com, we have three mobiles, one for my business (which I recently closed but wanted to keep the number). There are other ways of keeping a number and are free, such as "parking the number" this is where the number is stored on a companies server. But for the ease of working it out I joined Pennytel, 1gb of data and unlimited calls/text in Australia for $11.00 a month with no lock in contract, it will never be used. The next two phones, Gill's work one and my private one, we joined MyMate, unlimited calls and text and 15 international numbers free to ring (we have relatives in UK and USA) and 20 GB of data each. So in moving three phones from Telstra we saved $94.00 a month and the new companies still use the Telstra network, Optus doesn't work where we live. Disadvantages are you have to have a unlocked phone and change the Sim in your phone, very easy.
Next the private medical insurance (if you have it), we are with Medibank. I called them and explained we were going out of the country until we get homesick , they told us they could just freeze the account with two weeks notice to stop it and restart it when we return and they would be no waiting times for cover. that's saved us a total of $558.90 a month. At the same time though we will be taking out travel insurance, so heading again to www.Comparethemarket.com
Of course there are expenses even before setting off, Hep' A and Tivoid injections required these cost $325.96 for the two of us and Hep' B which is three doses second one a month after the first and then the 3rd (we not going to get it in time) 6 months after the second $24.60 each jab, at the moment i feel like a pin cushion. They do also suggest Rabies, Malaria and Tetanus. Rabies was $400 and is three injections. We have decided to miss on rabies and keep away from from all animals if possible. As for tetanus we were up to date and Malaria, when we have taken it , the side effects are hell to live with. We'll drink lots of gin and tonic instead. As for Covid we are both on our fifth dose and just had flue vaccine (Tip: Print a copy of you Covid certificate, because at some immigration crossings, you have to have proof of covid vaccination). So we should be ok when overseas, riding mopeds with no helmets.
Checkout http://travelhealthpro.org.uk for all Vaccinations required around the world. Also www.smarttraveller.gov.au Australia's government excellent site. As for finance's, we are use a wise travel card, it has some of the best exchange and commission rates . Click on link to find out more :
Further costs are the taxi to the airport $95.00 and the editing software to make vlogs through Youtube (If i can). I chose to use Movavi $70.18 for the basic license, as I found it the easiest to use. Thanks to help from many vloggers.
Costs so far:
$325.96 Thaiphoid and Hep A for two
$98.40 4 x (two each) Hep B injections (we still require two more in 6 month)
$95.00 Taxi to airport
$70.18 Movavi software
Total $589.54 (I will put all totals at the bottom of the page)
And we haven't left the country. I'm not Worried yet, i think , (have i said super doesn't kick infor a year).
. There are further cost for myself, i have to take prescription drugs, to take with me at least 3 months supply has cost $750, but to do this and get it across customs at different custom borders, is not straight forward.
First of all your GP or Specialist has to give you a "regulation 24" script(s) this allows you to have your script and repeat scripts, in one go, Along with this you have to have a letter from your Doc' that shows why you require the medication(s) and it is an idea to take a photo copy of your script(s). When you go to your pharmacy to collect the Medicine(s) make sure you have a copy or original outgoing flight details, to show the Pharmacists, or they may not supply them. As for Gill , this is not a problem for her. So total now is $1399.54 (have i said super doesn't kick in till 60). I think we are nearly ready to set off,