I lost my job... so I'm going sailing

[mussnot]

When I read posts touting six figure sums for the cruising kitty it gives me the shivers!
Perhaps if I can count the zeros after the decimal point?

As I am about to be unemployed, I'm a little more interested in how or if it can be done with virtually nothing in the kitty...

Having enjoyed sailing my little gaff rigged cutter around Europe over the last few years... see: A Yarmouth23 Sailing Blog - “Eileen of Avoca” - The journal of a small sailing yacht.
I'm off to give it a try full time from June. I'll let you know if it's a success.

Cheers!

[smackdaddy]

Welcome to Sailnet muss! And fair winds, dude. I think you're handling a lay off just about as well as it can be handled!

I'll let the other experienced cruisers give you the low down on the kitty.

[eherlihy]

Let me also chime in to welcome you here Muss.

I was laid off in November, so you me and 5.3 million other Americans are all looking for a job. Unfortunately, I am *still* without a boat, and the admiral is not ready to put to sea. Otherwise, I would be there with you!. (With two kids in college, however, I thank God that she has a regular paycheck.)

I hope to live vicariously through your adventures. Keep us posted!

[citation34]

Originally Posted by mussnot

When I read posts touting six figure sums for the cruising kitty it gives me the shivers!
Perhaps if I can count the zeros after the decimal point?

As I am about to be unemployed, I'm a little more interested in how or if it can be done with virtually nothing in the kitty...

Having enjoyed sailing my little gaff rigged cutter around Europe over the last few years... see: A Yarmouth23 Sailing Blog - “Eileen of Avoca” - The journal of a small sailing yacht.
I'm off to give it a try full time from June. I'll let you know if it's a success.

Cheers!

Please keep the updates coming! Has to be the best unemployment option I've ever heard of!

Mark

[Omatako]

Be frugal with everything you do.

• Save your electricity, don't run anything unless you must (even nav lights ). Don't run instruments or gear you don't need at the time.
• Save your water, don't use any fresh unless you must (definitely don't flush the head with it ).
• Save your fuel, don't run your engine unless you have to. Sail even if it's at 2 knots.
• Eat ALL the fish you catch even if it means eating the same meal 3 days in a row.
• Take your sails down in a storm, don't risk damage.
• Scrub the bottom by hand regularly if it needs it.
• Row the dink ashore unless you really need an outboard to run (far, wind, current).
• Convert you gas barbie. Burn driftwood, not bought fuel. Cook on it often, it's free.
• Buy rechargable batteries and a cheap solar charger (AA, AAA, etc).
• Buy lots when you find bargains, especially groceries. Learn to enjoy pasta if you don't already.
• When you bake your own bread do as many loaves as you can manage at one time (costs money to heat the oven from cold).
• Take only what you will consume when you visit other boats (but try not to be a mooch ). Don't be embarrased to take your "excess" stuff home again.
• Try and charge strangers for knowledge/assistance/labour. Let them know up front.
• Have boat clothes and shore clothes, don't wear out your good stuff while you're at sea.
• Don't pay Baksheesh (bribes) to anyone. Let them know up front too. If they won't help you without a bribe, find someone else.
• Trade if you can, don't always just buy.

If you can get into the saving habit, you will be amazed at how much you can get away with as far as cost-of-living expenses go.

Most important, lower your standard. Don't expect the things you have become accustomed to ashore. They'll just cost you lots of money.

[tdw]

Mussnot...great site....stick around and let us know how it goes...we'll all be cheering you on. What I really love about it is the different perspective it puts on cruising.


Omatako.......good post mate. You have a habit of posting good stuff....smart arse.....

[kwaltersmi]

Way to make lemonade when life hands you lemons, Mussnot! So long as your boat is paid for, you'll be able to make it. It's all about trade-offs and standard of living, and enjoying non-monetary income.

[imagine2frolic]

I have gone 2 times....one with money, and one without. The sunsets are just as beautiful. The sailing just as exhilarating. The accomplishments just as rewarding. It is truly surprisong how little you can get by with......BEST WISHES in sailing mile after mile.....i2f

[WanderingStar]

Read "Voyaging on a Small Income" by Annie Hill. They've been at it for years.
Best wishes, have fun.

[Valiente]

Good thoughts here.

We will be able to afford stuff, but will live as much as possible as Omatako indicates. Why? Well, my parents are both dead, and they left me money they should've spent on amusing themselves, not tacking a couple of years onto my trip (it's not a big amount, but it was certainly a couple of cruises or five round-trips to Europe, for instance). So money saved, or more to the point, not spent, gives the option to extend cruising or to have little extras outside of the budget.

Money's purpose isn't to buy you things, it's to buy you time away from making money...