I love coming up with solutions—it’s a part of the design process that I think we all enjoy.

But what about the costs?

In my role as a Product Manager, one of the biggest challenges when working fast adding features and capabilities is understanding the cost implications. While our architects excel at designing innovative solutions, considering the financial impact isn’t always their primary focus. However, every suggestion they make influences the overall cost and price of the product. Designing with a specific price point in mind can be quite challenging.

So, let’s dive into some cost analysis.

What does it cost me to live the way I want to travel?

I have estimated that I should be able to get my Office on Wheels (OoW) for about $40,000. This figure just feels about right but needs to be ratified.

So, using this figure, if I stayed in cabins 4 nights a fortnight, it has a 2.96 year ROI.

Although I don’t stay away this much as it costs too much…. I actually stay in cabins about once a month for 2 nights.

With these new figures, it has a ROI of 13.99 years… wow, that is more than a lot of capital works RIOs.

But the benefit is that I would get away, and it would increase my enjoyment, allow me to see more and live a lifestyle I want.

I feel a 5 year return is sensible, as it is aligned to a loan for a caravan.

So if we roll in the cost of OoW into this model and compare the cost per year for cabins versus sites, see table below – there is a saving of $5,530 per year. Although that means I am spending $17,880 per year for this lifestyle, and that seems like a lot of money just for travel around the Melbourne area.

What if I paid for a rental place for a year to go stay in? That could be cost-effective too, and each year you could change the location.

The cost per week of the cabins versus the site with OoW shows that for cabins it is close to the rent you would pay in a remote part of the state, but not in seaside locations I want to stay in, but for the sites plus OoW, it is a lot cheaper.

Also, the OoW will allow me to travel to lots of locations, serve as base for kids weekend getaways, plus when I travel back to Adelaide for Christmas with the kids it will allow us to camp along the way in both directions, increasing the adventure.

It is a true gain creator.