Roatan Budget v.2

As I mentioned, I have had to completely revamp my budget for Roatan now that I’m leaving seven weeks earlier than planned. I was happy that I was going to be in good shape financially, as this extra 7 weeks would amount to at least another $2500-3000 in the bank before leaving. I am leaving in two short months now, and I can make this work but it’s going to be a lot tighter than I would like it to be. 


I also was missing a new list of things in my budget: cell phone in West End, internet in West End, cheaper rent in West End (I am going to be living with my friend who has a house there), a higher storage cost in Vancouver than I thought, higher travel/dive insurance than I thought, a regulator, transportation to and from the resort where I’m going to do my divemaster and instructor course, and an extra $500 on top of what I budgeted for my dive courses. You can see on my budget that my lovely mom is going to get me my regulator as an early Christmas present, and has offered to pay for my internet in West End (presumably so she can check in with me and make sure I’m not dead). That helps me out a TON. You will also notice that I have paid my (non-refundable…eeeep!) deposit to the dive shop where I will be doing my courses. More on this dive shop to come.

click on it to make it big!

My friend who was going to take my furniture bailed so I’ve decided I will be selling most of it. I don’t have that much in the first place but I’m going to do mobile storage (those pod thingys) so I don’t have a lot of room for big items.  I’ve sold and had to get new furniture 3 times in the 4 years I’ve been in Vancouver so I feel like when I get back to Canada I can do it again. I should get at least $500 or more from selling furniture which will be a big help.


I still haven’t approached my landlord about getting out of my lease early. Everyone please cross your fingers that she just lets me out after 10 months instead of making me try to find a sublet!!


I am going to buy my regulator and dive computer online and have it shipped to Blaine, Washington which is right across the border from Vancouver, and then try to bring it across in a car. I want to be supportive of my local dive shops but I can save over $1500 by buying this stuff online and bringing it across the border. Canada, y u no haz good prices?


If any divers are reading this and want to comment on this set up that I’ve chosen, please do!! I would love some feedback. This is what I’m 99% sure I’m going with:


Mares Proton MR42 ‘She Dives’ Regulator
Mares Prestige Octopus
Storm Precision 3 Nav/Console
Aeris Manta Dive Computer

Have any of you heard anything about these (good/bad)? I think after all the online research I’ve done, it looks like a pretty decent set up for someone starting out as a dive pro. I don’t need the best of the best, but when you’re 130ft underwater you kind of need stuff that’s going to work well. I don’t mind skimping on a wetsuit or fins but this stuff is serious. Now that I looked at this list I just realized I am missing the inflater hose for my BCD. Does anyone have recommendations on which one I should get? I guess that’s something I can probably get for a similar price in Canada, if it comes down to it. The other items have massive price differences between here and the States. 


Well friends, I am off to schedule even more appointments and research things online while I should be working. I am burning the candle at both ends in a big way and it is starting to catch up to me. I think leaving early is turning into a good thing – I probably would have never made it to the end of September working this hard anyway. I feel like shit, I’m always tired, I look ragged and I’m always on my last nerve. I have Honduran lempiras stuck all over my house and my screensaver on my phone and at work is of Halfmoon Bay to try to remind me why I am doing this, and it actually works. When I have obnoxious customers at the gelato shop, I am silently chanting “Roatan Roatan Roatan Roatan” in my head. I will make it to August 11, but I’ll sure as fuck be glad to get out of here.