Budget

OK, if you are donating anything to me-- you probably want to see this first!

I am assuming I will need around $6,000-$9,000 depending on if I can stretch my budget and a few other factors. Here is the breakdown:

After working for the next couple of months, including my savings now, and subtracting all of my upcoming expenses while here and away, I should have about $3,500.
My car is one expense that I will have to pay for while I am gone. I thought about selling it, but I would be upside down on it and that would lose me about $1,000-- so its cheaper to just pay the payment while I'm gone!
Another upcoming expense that I will have to start paying in June is my school loans. I am going to try to consolidate, so hopefully that will bring the payments down some!
I have to pay my phone bill until I leave, as well as continue paying off my credit card. With all of this in mind, plus any other expenses (gas, food, etc..) in the next few months, this is where I get my $3,500 left over!
I am so lucky to not have much more to pay for! Thank god for parents and family!!!!

Next, my expenses in Cape Town (where I get my total to be $6-9 thousand)

My flight is the most Topsy-turvy expense right now because my dad and I are trying to figure out if I will be able to fly for the 90% off with other airlines that I would typically get if I wasn't turning 24 next month!!!!! Its making for a superb dilemma.

Worst comes to worse, I pay around $2000 for a round trip flight
Best scenario is I pay around $300 or possibly less! Hard to tell at this point!

Housing will be with the company in one of their rooms in one of their houses (they have 7). The cost is around $300 a month, so I am anticipating about $1,000

Average cost of food with making your own and eating out some is around $500 a month, therefore around $1,500 (mid-estimate)

I will have to pay for my transportation to an from the site every day, which is going to cost me about $80 a month... so around $300 (including city wide transportation)

I haven't looked into the travelers insurance yet.. not sure if I need it?

The rest of my program fee is $1,150

Excursions/entertainment and travel $1,500 (low estimate)

Possible 30 day visa extension $45

and if I have anything leftover, I desperately need a new computer to communicate with you all while I am away... hopefully using skype, email, facebook, and of course this blog!

Therefore my total comes to:
Highest without computer could be plus/minus $7,495
Highest with computer could be plus/minus $9,495

Lowest without computer could be plus/minus $5,795
Lowest with computer could be plus/minus $7,795

These are my oddball totals right now... don't know if they make sense or if I left anything out... if you notice let me know!!!

Therefore, with the $3,500 I should already have, I will need to somehow get (corresponding to above)
$3,995
$5,995
$2,295
$4,295

I am well on my way... my goal is going to be at least $6,000-- If I don't reach that goal then all will still be amazing-- it will all work out! I have already gotten my first $5 (yay Myra)- which is inspiring! Oh and my grandpa gave me $2 today, lol- so cute! If I go far and beyond my goal, then I hope to donate to charity! One in the states, more than likely in Colorado.

Thank You AGAIN and AGAIN

Love all!!!

Linds

new slogan= "$5 from 1,195 people!" haha