Financial Friday 101

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Happy New Year! Let’s see what my wallet thought about year two of full time travel. But first, let’s recap this week….

Transportation

On Monday, I took the metro a couple times: $0.36.

On Tuesday, I took the metro once: $0.18. And (after a night of partying) broke down and took a taxi home: $4.06. This is double the normal cab rate due to increased demand. Still, I think this rate is hard to match in other locations.

Accommodation

Staying alone in an AirBnB for a month comes out to $9.76 per night. Not too shabby….

Food

This is a little higher than normal due to going out on Monday and Tuesday. Because…new years.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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 Thursday, I topped up my mobile data: $11.01. That’s for 20G of data.

Summary

Week 101
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0.36	4.24	0	0	4.6
Lodging	9.76	9.76	9.76	9.76	9.76	9.76	9.76	68.32
Food	0	6.27	0	19.97	19.56	0	6.56	52.36
Other	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.97	6.61	6.61	17.62	57.64
Total	16.37	22.64	16.37	37.06	40.17	16.37	33.94	182.92

A little on the expensive side for a week in Georgia, but still pretty good. And for the month….

Dec 19
Category	Week 97	Week 98	Week 99	Week 100	Week 101	Total
Travel	28.12	3.78	0.18	0.18	4.6	36.86
Lodging	52.31	68.32	34.16	48.8	48.8	252.39
Food	58.58	70.36	60.22	61.21	45.8	296.17
Other	129.14	64.46	51.3	46.27	33.41	324.58
Total	268.15	206.92	145.86	156.46	132.61	910

Weird…it came out to an exact dollar amount….

And for the big reveal: my total expenses for 2019 came to $10,496.72! And that’s just me spending money normally. There are ways I could have severely reduced that. So the next time any of you hear a ‘Westerner’ complain about not being able to travel, show them this. It’s completely possible.

See you all next week….

Financial Friday 100

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 100….

Transportation

I was running late on Friday so I took the metro rather than walking: $0.18. თბილისი (Tbilisi) is a very walkable city.

Accommodation

On Tuesday, my roommate moved out. That doubled the cost of my AirBnB. At under $10 per day, it’s still pretty good though.

Food

Nothing much to say here. I grouped my eating out days with my grocery runs so prices are a bit lumpy.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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 Tuesday, I bought a book Russian Short Stories for Beginners. The cost would normally be $4.27, but I had Amazon credit so it was free! And now I have an extra resource for when I get serious about learning Russian.

Summary

Week 100
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0.18	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.18
Lodging	4.88	4.88	4.88	4.88	9.76	9.76	9.76	48.8
Food	11.28	9.78	0	17.91	0	22.24	0	61.21
Other	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	46.27
Total	22.95	21.27	11.49	29.4	16.37	38.61	16.37	156.46

So…slightly more than last week, but still really good. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 99

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 99….

Transportation

I’ve gone back to walking a lot. On Thursday, I took the metro once though: $0.18.

Accommodation

On Friday, I got a roommate. So now we split the cost. My portion comes to $4.88 per day.

Food

Nothing to report here. I’m pretty boring.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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 Monday, I dropped my Pimsleur subscription. I wasn’t using it so that’s $0.71 per day I get back.

On Thursday, I gave some Georgian teachers a gift in exchange for their free lessons: $2.90. It’s a local desert called ჩურჩხელა (churchkhela). They cover nuts on a string with fruit juice.

Summary

Week 99
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.18	0.18
Lodging	4.88	4.88	4.88	4.88	4.88	4.88	4.88	34.16
Food	0	7.66	0	13.31	8.13	7.57	23.55	60.22
Other	7.32	7.32	7.32	6.61	6.61	6.61	9.51	51.3
Total	12.2	19.86	12.2	24.8	19.62	19.06	38.12	145.86

This is much better. I love seeing weeks like this. Until next week….

Financial Friday 98

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 98….

Transportation

Most of this is metro trips at $0.18 each: Friday, 1; Monday, 4; Tuesday, 2; Thursday, 1. I’ve been using the metro a lot more since I don’t feel like walking in the ‘cold’ (in this case around 5 degrees Celsius).

On Saturday, a friend and I took a cable car: $0.91. It’s a little expensive, but it’s far easier than walking up a hill.

Accommodation

The AirBnB’s costing me $9.76 per night. It’s basically the same situation as in Greece, but at half the price. I have the place to myself.

Food

This was a bit high, but not too terrible. The most expensive thing I did was hit up a bar. For dinner and 5ish drinks, it cost me $18.84. Not too bad for a night out.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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.

Pimsleur’s Russian: $0.71 per day. Sadly, I haven’t used this much so I’ll probably drop it.

Password Manager: $0.16 per day.

On Saturday, some friends and I went out to play pool/billiards: $1.81. That’s 2 hours of play split 3 ways.

Also on Saturday, I had a ‘business’ meeting: $4.17. I got to talk with someone that’s done a lot of traveling, and has business connections. We discussed residency/citizenship options, possible investments, taxes, etc…. It was fantastic, and pretty cheap for 2 hours of discussion.

On Thursday, I took a ‘free’ Georgian class: $7.24. Some Mormons are in თბილისი (Tbilisi), and one of the services they provide are free English classes. I managed to convince them to help me with my ქარტული (Georgian). They don’t expect payment, but I thought I should give them something to show my appreciation. So I showed up with a bunch of ჩურჩხელა (Churchkhela). It’s a local dessert made of nuts covered in fruit juice paste. I know that probably doesn’t sound very appetizing, but it’s really pretty good.

Summary

Week 98
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0.8	1.36	0	0.72	0.36	0.36	0.18	3.78
Lodging	9.76	9.76	9.76	9.76	9.76	9.76	9.76	68.32
Food	12.49	5.8	3.62	18.82	18.84	1.59	9.2	70.36
Other	7.32	13.3	7.32	7.32	7.32	7.32	14.56	64.46
Total	30.37	30.22	20.7	36.62	36.28	19.03	33.7	206.92

So yeah…. Not too bad. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 97

Locations: Thessaloniki [Greece], Kutaisi, Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 97….

Transportation

On Monday, I took a plane from Θεσσαολνίκη (Thessaloniki) to ქუთაისი (Kutaisi): $22.33. O love how cheap flights can be in Europe.

Also on Monday, I took a bus from the Kutaisi airport into town (about 1/2 hour drive): $1.81.

On Tuesday, I took a train from Kutaisi to თბილისი (Tbilisi): $2.90. I haven’t come across anywhere else where a 4 hour train ride is that cheap.

Also on Tuesday, I took the Tbilisi metro 3 times: $0.54. Needless to say, I moved around a lot.

On Wednesday, I took the metro twice: $0.36. And took it once on Thursday: $0.18.

Accommodation

Friday to Sunday night, I was in the an apartment in Thessaloniki. It ended up being $18.38 per night. I’ve updated previous weeks in my spreadsheet. Though it won’t be reflected in previous Financial Friday posts.

I spent Monday at a hostel in Kutaisi: $4.65. Hostels here are very affordable.

On Tuesday, I moved into an AirBnB that I’ll be spending a month in: $9.76 per night. Not bad for having a whole apartment to myself.

Food

There isn’t much to say here. On Tuesday, I did the bulk of my “I’m in a new place, and have to buy all the stuff that lasts for a long time” shopping.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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.

Pimsleur’s Russian: $0.71 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

On Friday, I took advantage of a deal and bought a game: $14.98. It’s called Battletech. So creative right? It’s actually pretty fun if you like strategy games.

On Tuesday, I topped up my local SIM with data: $7.32 for 20G of data.

On Wednesday, I bought a few things to cook with that the AirBnB didn’t have on hand: $5.90. I’m perfectly capable of cooking without them, but they make things a lot easier.

Also on Wednesday, I got my teeth cleaned: $50.71. This is way too much. The only reason I paid it is because my teeth were especially dirty, and they could get me in immediately. However, if any of you are in Georgia and need your teeth cleaned, it should only cost half that much.

On Thursday, I got my teeth cleaned again: $23.54. The overpriced place missed a few things. Granted, my teeth were extremely dirty, but come on…. The lesson here is to not go to dentists that cater to tourists.

Also on Thursday, I bought a couple more things to make cooking easier: $3.62. Because I see nice things, and I have to buy them.

My final miscellaneous purchase on Thursday was a magazine: $1.45. It’s about cooking, and is written entirely in ქართული (Georgian). I figure I can use it as a language learning tool.

Summary

Week 97
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	24.14	3.44	0.36	0.18	28.12
Lodging	18.38	18.38	18.38	4.65	9.76	9.76	9.76	89.07
Food	0	0	0	6.37	36.68	6.81	8.72	58.58
Other	22.3	7.32	7.32	7.32	14.64	63.93	35.93	158.76
Total	40.68	25.7	25.7	42.48	64.52	80.86	54.59	334.53

So, this turned out to be a bit on the expensive side. I blame the 50 sets of teeth cleanings. And for November….

Nov 19
Category	Week 93	Week 94	Week 95	Week 96	Week 97	Total
Travel	59.87	0	0	0	0	59.87
Lodging	115.65	128.66	128.66	128.66	36.76	538.39
Food	94.5	46.78	29.72	36.65	0	207.65
Other	71.1	51.1	71.24	77.16	29.62	300.22
Total	341.12	226.54	229.62	242.47	66.38	1106.13

This was also a bit on the expensive side. The primary reason for that was staying in my own apartment in Greece. While it was nice to have my own space, it certainly wasn’t cheap.

See you all next week….

Financial Friday 96

Location: Thessaloniki [Greece]

Week 96….

Transportation

Zero. I love staying in walkable places.

Accommodation

I expect the bill to come to $18.50 per day. We’ll find out next week.

Food

Again, simple grocery runs. Maybe this weekend I’ll treat myself to dinner out….

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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.

Pimsleur’s Russian: $0.71 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

On Monday, I bought a couple computer games: $25.92. They are Pax Nova, and Oriental Empires. Because…I just can’t help myself. Especially when they’re on sale.

Summary

Week 96
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lodging	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	129.5
Food	12.18	3.35	0	0	12.29	0	8.83	36.65
Other	7.32	7.32	7.32	33.24	7.32	7.32	7.32	77.16
Total	38	29.17	25.82	51.74	38.11	25.82	34.65	243.31

So, not too bad. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 95

Location: Thessaloniki [Greece]

Week 95….

Transportation

Zero.

Accommodation

I’ll pay this when I check out, but I estimate it to be around $18.50 per night.

Food

I managed to get this pretty low this week. It’s just the way grocery store runs turned out.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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.

Pimsleur’s Russian: $0.71 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

On Sunday, I topped up my mobile data on my travel SIM: $20.00. It’s expensive, but staying connected adds a little extra convenience when not in range of WiFi.

Summary

Week 95
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lodging	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	129.5
Food	0	11.96	0	0	15.24	2.52	0	29.72
Other	7.32	7.32	27.32	7.32	7.32	7.32	7.32	71.24
Total	25.82	37.78	45.82	25.82	41.06	28.34	25.82	230.46

So pretty good. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 94

Location: Thessaloniki [Greece]

Week 94….

Transportation

Zero. I walked everywhere I needed to go.

Accommodation

I haven’t paid yet, but I estimate this will be around $18.50 per day. Renting my own place in Greece is expensive!

Food

This was far better than last week. I just had to buy a few staple groceries instead of everything. The first time in a new place is always the most expensive food-wise.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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.

Summary

Week 94
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lodging	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	129.5
Food	19.43	0	0	10.63	0	0	16.72	46.78
Other	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	51.1
Total	45.23	25.8	25.8	36.43	25.8	25.8	42.52	227.38

So, this also looks much better than last week. I’ve saved a lot of money by restricting my excursions to free things. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 93

Locations: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia], Thessaloniki [Greece]

Week 93….

Transportation

On Saturday, I traveled from თბილისი (Tbilisi) to Θεσσαλονίκη (Thessaloniki). It started with a bus from Georgia’s capital to the airport near კუთაისი (Kutaisi): $7.24.

Then, the flight (including printing the boarding pass for $0.10) came to $50.39.

And finally I took a bus from the Thessaloniki airport into town: $2.24.

Accommodation

Friday night was spent splitting an AirBnB in Tbilisi so the rate is really good: $5.37.

From Saturday on, I’m renting an apartment by myself. I haven’t paid yet, but I estimate the cost will be around $18.50 per night. I instantly miss cheaper countries….

Food

Food costs in Greece don’t involve any going out. The initial cost of groceries is just that much more expensive. I expect the cost to come down a little next week since many of the purchases will carry over; we’ll see.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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.

Pimsleur’s Russian: $0.69 per day.

Password Manager: $0.16 per day.

On Saturday, I bought data for my ‘travel’ SIM: $20.00. That bought me 1G of data. All that time in Georgia spoiled me. I’m used to getting 20x that much data for less.

Summary

Week 93
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	59.87	0	0	0	0	0	59.87
Lodging	5.37	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	18.5	116.37
Food	9.78	38.42	0	34.16	12.14	0	0	94.5
Other	7.3	27.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	71.1
Total	22.45	144.09	25.8	59.96	37.94	25.8	25.8	341.84

So…ouch! Although, that is still an average of less than $50 per day so I guess it’s not the end of the world. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 92

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 92….

Transportation

On Thursday, I took the metro once. My transportation costs have been non-existent the last few weeks. When your housing is centrally located, you don’t spend much.

Accommodation

The AirBnB rolled over to another month on Thursday. We decided to stay in the same place, and managed to negotiate a discount by booking off-app. So…travel hack: if you really like a place, you can generally negotiate a better rate for subsequent periods (if the host likes you).

Food

I went a little crazy with the food again. I blame going out to say goodbye to my bartender friends.

Other

Travel insurance: $5.03 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.

Pimsleur’s Russian: $0.69 per day.

Password manager: $0.16 per day.

On Tuesday, I bought the final season of Game of Thrones: $28.88. So I now digitally ‘own’ the entire series. Because…re-watching. Also, it helped me charge something to one of my non-travel cards. If you don’t charge something at least once a year, banks have a tendency to close your accounts (in the US at least).

On Wednesday, my State-side friend forwarded some mail to me: $36.00. International shipping is one of the costs of travel most people forget about, but the money I’m saving by not being in the ‘West’ more than makes up for it.

Summary

Week 92
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.18	0.18
Lodging	5.63	5.63	5.63	5.63	5.63	5.63	5.37	39.15
Food	18.84	11.23	0	7.51	13.47	16.62	0	67.67
Other	7.3	7.3	7.3	7.3	36.18	43.3	7.3	115.98
Total	31.77	24.16	12.93	20.44	55.28	65.55	12.85	222.98

So…a little expensive for Georgia, but still pretty good. And for the month…

Oct 19
Category	Week 88	Week 89	Week 90	Week 91	Week 92	Total
Travel	0	0.54	0	0	0.18	0.72
Lodging	33.78	39.41	39.41	39.41	39.15	191.16
Food	78.56	56.06	75.52	27.95	67.67	305.76
Other	30.26	61.06	53.68	72.55	115.98	333.53
Total	142.6	157.07	168.61	139.91	222.98	831.17

I’ll call less than $1,000 a win. This is still far more than locals spend in a month, but I’m an entitled Westerner so…. See you all next week….