is it containing your 4%holiday pay? … imo take a third of for deductions…think around $1000 a year insurance on a vehicle (you can pay monthly). NOw as you are “being away for long time” is it important to be in/close to the city as rents/taxes are higher?. would your family consider moving an hr or so away from the city where you get a bigger bang for your bucks. yup until you get nomination by MBPNP your wife cant work. . we got a place 1.5hrs out of the city ,very cheap…good schools safe and friendly, and after a weeks driving what is a hr an a halfs drive home its. nothing. don’t fall in the trap o buying big gas gussler…we bought a wee Toyota with winter tires never a problem.or an ex police crown vic couple o K for a well maintained vehicle.hundreds to chose from as they went to different model.(rear wheel drive though). lots o wee towns south o the peg with cheap taxes and good schools. if you are away for ages …let the missus take you to work and she can use the car when your away ,you would be surprised at the number o folks that would rather buy two cars than do that. james