Financial Friday 171

Location: Borjomi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 171….

Transportation

On Saturday and Wednesday, I went through the central park: $0.58 each. The reason this is under transportation is because the path through the park is a fantastic walk, and I like to take it when I go between where I’m staying and downtown (usually to buy groceries).

Accommodation

This changed a little because of the number of days in a month. The rate is $300 per month.

Other

Travel insurance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

Shadow: $0.37 per day.

On Monday, my 5 day, unlimited, mobile data plan renewed: $1.16.

Summary

Week 171
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0.58	0	0	0	0.58	0	1.16
Lodging	10	10	10	10	9.68	9.68	9.68	69.04
Food	0	30.18	0	0	0	21.55	0	51.73
Other	5.1	5.1	5.1	6.26	5.1	5.1	5.1	36.86
Total	15.1	45.86	15.1	16.26	14.78	36.91	14.78	158.79

So, not too bad. And for April….

Apr 20
Category	Week 166	Week 167	Week 168	Week 169	Week 170	Week 171	Total
Travel	0	3.51	1.76	6.3	0	0	11.57
Lodging	0	50	70	70	70	10	270
Food	12.41	39.72	27.56	62.68	20.7	0	163.07
Other	5.16	38.58	36.12	113.48	38.36	5.1	236.8
Total	17.57	131.81	135.44	252.46	129.06	15.1	681.44

That’s pretty good. Also, unless I hear cries of outrage, this will probably be the last Financial Friday post for a while. I originally started this series to show people that traveling isn’t as expensive as most people think it is. However, I have been in the same country for over a year. I pretty much live here now. Additionally, my house will be ready to move into in a few months (I hope); at which point, my accommodation costs will not reflect a typical traveler’s. When I resume traveling, I’ll also start posting Financial Fridays again.

Or at least that’s the plan. If someone genuinely gets value from these, please let me know, and I’ll continue the 3 year+ streak. Until next time, stay safe out there, and enjoy whatever traveling you can manage.

Financial Friday 170

Location: Borjomi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 170….

Transportation

Zero. I walked everywhere; even when I went into town to buy groceries. The hike up and down a hill through a wooded park is amazing! And great exercise.

Accommodation

For this month it comes out to $10 per day.

Other

Travel insurance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

Shadow: $0.37 per day.

On Friday, my mobile phone’s base plan was renewed: $0.32.

On Friday and Wednesday, my unlimited mobile data was topped up: $1.17 each.

Summary

Week 170
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lodging	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	70
Food	0	0	20.7	0	0	0	0	20.7
Other	6.59	5.1	5.1	5.1	5.1	6.27	5.1	38.36
Total	16.59	15.1	35.8	15.1	15.1	16.27	15.1	129.06

So yeah…that’s fantastic! Living in a village, and cooking my own food does amazing things for my wallet. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 169

Locations: Tbilisi, Borjomi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 169….

Transportation

On Saturday, I returned to თბილისი (Tbilisi): $2.93 for a 2 hour mini-bus ride.

On Monday, I took a couple rides on the Tbilisi metro: $0.29

Also on Monday, I went back to ბორჯომი (Borjomi): $2.93.

Accommodation

Rent for the month is $10 per day.

Other

Travel insurcance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

On Saturday, my Shadow virtual machine rental was renewed. Old rate: $0.43 per day. New rate: $0.37 per day. Changing month lengths, and service outages tend to screw with the consistency of payments.

On Saturday, I went on a bit of a shopping spree. I bought two pairs of shoes (one normal/comfortable, one for hiking): $46.83; a pair of shorts: $4.39; a jean jacket: $14.63.

On Sunday, my unlimited mobile data plan renewed: $1.17.

On Monday, I bought a wireless mouse for my computer: $10.24. The touchpad was getting annoying.

Summary

Week 169
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	2.93	0.15	3.22	0	0	0	6.3
Lodging	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	70
Food	0	5.85	19.55	14.63	0	0	22.65	62.68
Other	5.16	71.01	6.67	15.34	5.1	5.1	5.1	113.48
Total	15.16	89.79	36.37	43.19	15.1	15.1	37.75	252.46

So yeah, it’s a bit high, because of the shopping. But what can you do? Every now and then, you need new things. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 168

Location: Borjomi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 168….

Transportation

On Monday, I took a taxi from downtown ბორჯომი (Borjomi) to the place I’m staying which is about 2 km away: $1.76. I had a bunch of groceries, and walking didn’t sound like fun.

Accommodation

For this month, it comes out to $10 per day.

Other

Travel insurance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

Shadow: $0.43 per day.

On Tuesday, I bought another 5 day unlimited mobile data plan: $1.17.

Summary

Week 168
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	1.76	0	0	0	1.76
Lodging	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	70
Food	0	0	0	27.56	0	0	0	27.56
Other	5.16	5.16	5.16	5.16	6.33	5.16	5.16	37.29
Total	15.16	15.16	15.16	44.48	16.33	15.16	15.16	136.61

So another cheap week thanks to a greatly reduced food bill. That’s what happens when you only eat groceries; and the groceries here are even cheaper than in Tbilisi! See you all next week….

Financial Friday 167

Locations: Tbilisi, Borjomi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 167….

Transportation

On Friday, I took the metro twice: $0.29

On Sunday, I traveled to ბორჯომი (Borjomi): $1.46 for a 2 hour bus ride. And I took a taxi from the city to the apartment I’m renting that’s in the woods: $1.76.

Accommodation

I managed to rent a place for $300 per month. So for April, it comes out to $10 per day.

Other

Travel insurance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

Shadow: $0.43 per day.

On Saturday and Thursday, I paid for unlimited mobile data: $1.17 each.

Summary

Week 167
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0.29	0	3.22	0	0	0	0	3.51
Lodging	0	0	10	10	10	10	10	50
Food	7.22	10.13	20.61	0	0	1.76	0	39.72
Other	5.16	6.33	5.28	5.16	5.16	5.16	6.33	38.58
Total	12.67	16.46	39.11	15.16	15.16	16.92	16.33	131.81

So this is a little more accurate. As you can see, my food bill is far cheaper out here. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 166

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Apologies for getting this one out late. The last few days have been pretty busy….

Transportation

I took a few metro rides at $0.15 each.

Accommodation

I stayed with a friend sporadically: $5 per day. His place is much more comfortable than the house I bought. I still haven’t figured out how to price that….

Other

Travel insurance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

Shadow: $0.43 per day.

On Saturday, I bought a 30G thumb drive: $9.04.

On Monday, I renewed my unlimited mobile data plan for another 5 days: $1.20.

Summary

Week 166
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0.3	0.3	0	0.15	0	0	0	0.75
Lodging	5	0	5	5	5	5	0	25
Food	10.24	10.91	9.04	0	9.04	16.57	12.41	68.21
Other	5.16	14.2	5.16	6.36	5.16	5.16	5.16	46.36
Total	20.7	25.41	19.2	11.51	19.2	26.73	17.57	140.32

So, not bad. Add $10 if you want to see the equivalent of staying in a hostel all week. And for the month…

Mar 20
Category	Week 162	Week 163	Week 164	Week 165	Week 166	Total
Travel	1.79	6.51	3.16	1.05	0.75	13.26
Lodging	37.13	35	35	35	25	167.13
Food	26.77	68.9	72.58	79.9	55.8	303.95
Other	20.56	45.07	44.04	488.91	41.2	639.78
Total	86.25	155.48	154.78	604.86	122.75	1124.12

That’s a bit high, but I blame the extra $400+ for a computer. Without that, it’s also pretty good. See you all next week; hopefully, on Friday this time….

Financial Friday 165

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 165….

Transportation

I took a few rides on the public transportation system: $0.15 each.

Accommodation

I’ve adjusted this. I decided to pay my friend $5 per day for letting me stay with him. This is about what I’d pay if I stayed in a hostel so it’s still a fantastic deal for me, and my friend made some money. Win, win!

Other

Travel insurance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

Shadow: $0.43 per day.

On Friday and Wednesday, I bought 5 day, unlimited data packets for my mobile phone: $1.21.

Also on Friday, I bought a new computer: $442.43. And I had Windows installed on it: $7.58.

Summary

Week 165
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0.45	0	0	0.15	0	0.15	0.3	1.05
Lodging	5	5	5	5	5	5	5	35
Food	9.39	8.56	7.11	18.48	0	15.46	20.9	79.9
Other	456.38	5.16	5.16	5.16	5.16	6.73	5.16	488.91
Total	471.22	18.72	17.27	28.79	10.16	27.34	31.36	604.86

So, if the computer’s taken out, it’s pretty good. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 164

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 164….

Transportation

I took a few metro trips this week: $0.15 each.

On Monday, I took a taxi: $2.11.

Accommodation

This says $0 again, but I’m not counting costs for the house I bought. To get an accurate picture for travelers, an AirBnB will cost about $10 per day, and a hostel will be about $5 per day.

Other

Travel insurance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

My Shadow virtual gaming machine subscription renewed on Wednesday. The new rate is $0.43 per day. Short months….

On Friday, I bought a pair of slippers: $3.62.

Also on Friday, I bought a bucket to act as a temporary kitchen sink in the new house: $1.36. New house issues….

On Sunday, I bought a scarf to use instead of a face mask: $3.02. It’s far more comfortable; especially on my ears. Don’t worry mask Nazis; it’s just as effective at stopping the water vapor that escapes my mouth from ‘infecting’ other people.

Summary

Week 164
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0.3	0	0.45	2.11	0	0	0.3	3.16
Lodging	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Food	12.07	0	4.98	30.18	0	11.77	13.58	72.58
Other	10.14	5.14	8.16	5.14	5.14	5.16	5.16	44.04
Total	22.51	5.14	13.59	37.43	5.14	16.93	19.04	119.78

So, again it looks really good. But that’s largely a result of housing being zero (which it isn’t really). See you next week….

Financial Friday 163

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 163….

Transportation

I took the metro on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday: $0.15 each.

I also took taxis on those days: $3.03, $0.91, and $2.12 respectively.

I’ve been moving around a lot….

Accommodation

This is complicated. I bought a house which I’m in the process of buying things for. This is part of the reason I’ve taken so many taxis. In the meantime, I’m staying with a friend. This isn’t exactly free, but it also doesn’t neatly fit into a daily expense calendar.

For travel purposes, I’ll say I could rent an AirBnB for a month around $300: $10 daily. If it helps, feel free to add $70 for lodging to the weekly figure.

Other

Travel insurance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

Shadow: $0.41 per day.

On Tuesday, I bought 140G of mobile data: $9.09. I’ve been using a lot of it lately, and this was a good deal.

Summary

Week 163
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	3.18	1.06	0	0	2.27	0	6.51
Lodging	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Food	0	9.09	0	16.67	16.56	11.82	14.76	68.9
Other	5.12	5.12	5.12	5.12	14.21	5.12	5.12	44.93
Total	5.12	17.39	6.18	21.79	30.77	19.21	19.88	120.34

So yeah, it looks low because of the accommodation thing. I’ll figure something out for that…. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 162

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 162…

Transportation

On Sunday, I took the metro: $0.15. It’s so cheap….

On Thursday, I took a taxi: $1.79. I moved into a friend’s place.

Accommodation

I moved out of my AirBnB on Thursday. The revised figure is $10.71 per day. Those short months get me every time….

I moved in with a friend for a couple days. There’s a gap in my housing, and my friend was nice enough to accommodate me.

Other

Travel insurance: $3.15 per day.

VPN: $0.26 per day.

Amazon Prime: $0.33 per day.

This blog: $0.31 per day.

Skype: $0.08 per day.

Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0.41 per day.

Passport: $0.03 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

Shadow: $0.41 per day.

On Friday, I bought a game: $27.81. Shadow Empires was on sale. So of course, I had to buy it.

Summary

Week 162
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0.15	0	0	0	1.79	1.94
Lodging	10.71	10.71	10.71	10.71	10.71	10.71	0	64.26
Food	0	17.01	12.92	7.7	0	8.49	10.58	56.7
Other	32.93	5.12	5.12	5.12	5.12	5.12	5.12	63.65
Total	43.64	32.84	28.9	23.53	15.83	24.32	17.49	186.55

Not bad. Especially considering I bought a game. And for the month of February…

Feb 20
Category	Week 158	Week 159	Week 160	Week 161	Week 162	Total
Travel	0	0.3	0	1.51	0.15	1.96
Lodging	39.75	74.97	74.97	74.97	32.13	296.79
Food	22.83	44.47	57.15	49.38	29.93	203.76
Other	20.4	197.21	35.74	45.35	43.17	341.87
Total	82.98	316.95	167.86	171.21	105.38	844.38

That’s a little on the high side; especially for a short month. Although it’s still far less than I’d spend in the West. I blame the one-time purchases (like the phone). See you all next week….