October 2019 Budget
This has been the most expensive month so far the entire trip. Granted, I had abnormal purchases: a ticket to South America and also this month I was in Europe, not Asia (I miss you, dollar noodle soups). Something that impacted the high budget more than “Europe” itself was that I was in FIVE countries during the month. Trains are cheap here but not if you take 20 of them! I think, for traveling that much and seeing as much as I did, the budget is low. Typically I like to travel a lot more relaxed and slow but it is hard when Europe (Schengen Zone) restricts you to a three-month visa. Also, now that it is getting cold (too cold in my opinion), I find I am less likely to want to stay someplace for an extended period of time. Moving more frequently provides you with the motivation to pack your days with sightseeing and walk around a lot. No time for lengthy, summertime strolls like in the Balkans, or hours sitting in a cafe reading, like in Turkey.
Big Purchases
- Flight to Colombia
- Am I crazy? Can’t imagine being in the US for winter though.
- Public Transit
- I accidentally bought a first-class train ticket when I was in Poland and had too much anxiety to tell the lady to correct it.
- Restaurants
- When you are traveling around a lot, there is less time for cooking.
October 2019 Budget
| Category | Budgeted Amount ($USD) | Actual Amount ($USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| Hostels/Airbnbs | $300 | $208.69 |
| Others | $0 | $0 |
| Total Housing | $300 | $208.69 |
| Utilities | ||
| Health Insurance | $0 | $0 |
| Cell Phone | $0 | $0 |
| Spotify | $10.79 | $10.79 |
| Other | $20 | $30.44 |
| Total Utilities | $30.79 | $41.23 |
| Food | ||
| Grocery | $100 | $69.82 |
| Snacks | $15 | $5.76 |
| Water | $0 | $4.94 |
| Restaurant | $150 | $151.96 |
| Total Food | $265 | $232.48 |
| Transportation | ||
| Gas & Oil | $0 | $0 |
| Planes | $0 | $286.80 |
| Buses, Subway, Trains | $150 | $206.99 |
| Uber, Taxi, etc. | $0 | $3.92 |
| Total Transportation | $150 | $497.71 |
| Clothing | $20 | $14.16 |
| Medical and Health | ||
| Clinic visits | $0 | $0 |
| Prescriptions | $10 | $4.41 |
| Other Pharmacy | $10 | $0 |
| Total Medical and Health | $20 | $4.41 |
| Personal Shopping | ||
| Books/Education | $0 | $0 |
| General Shopping | $20 | 16.90 |
| Gifts | $0 | $33.12 |
| Total Shopping | $20 | $50.02 |
| Entertainment | ||
| Alcohol | $20 | $49.88 |
| Cafe | $0 | $7.40 |
| Events | $40 | $13.83 |
| Clubs | $0 | $0 |
| Other | $0 | $0 |
| Total Entertainment | $60 | $71.11 |
| Savings | ||
| Retirement | $0 | $0 |
| Other Savings | $0 | $0 |
| Total Savings | $0 | $0 |
| Total Expenses | $865.79 | $1,119.81 |
Where I went off Budget
- Flight
- I am a super spontaneous person and I had no idea where to go after visiting home for Thanksgiving. I am also applying for jobs so I was holding off in case someone responded to me. When no one did…I took the plunge!
My numbers were more or less spot on (look at that, two dollars away on food!). I went under on a few things (housing, groceries), but made up for it in other categories (alcohol, gifts). November is a month where I will pay zero for housing but need to do a complete renewal of my gear. I need hiking shoes and want a new hiking backpack. I see the dollar bills flying away. Can a job email me back?
xoxo, T
One Comment
Andrea Lindberg
You’re amazing! I love you!