The recent increase in stbys aside, we all work about the same hours per year.
So calculate what you can expect once the winter schedule kicks in & spread out your finances?
10.5 months to cover 700 hours per year (worst case) work out how much you should have per moth to play with and bobs your uncle?
BPK contracts are not rocket science, you know what you get per hour and you know what you can expect to work over a twelve month period.
I know this time of year is tough but it really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone?