> 2) Are there other CHEAP solutions for low current consumption?

Yes, and accurate over long periods, over moderate
temperature ranges (unlike a basic 4060 solution)

http://home.clear.net.nz/pages/joecolquitt/lowpower.html

With the PIC in SLEEP and waking up for a very short time
every 2 seconds you should get a year from 4 AAs + 1 AA
for the timer module

"cheap" is subjective. You can get a clock for a couple of
dollars, definitely less than you'd pay to make your own
temperature-compensated oscillator. More than you'd pay
for a 4060+crystal+R+C though

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