Financial Friday 153

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 153, and the last of 2020….

Transportation

Zero. Stupid lockdowns….

Accommodation

The AirBnB for this month comes out to $11.10 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 cloud gaming PC: $0.39 per day.

On Friday, I took advantage of a sale to buy a couple computer games: $37.86. The games are Battle Brothers, and Total War: Warhammer II.

On Sunday, my mobile data plan was renewed: $9.64.

Summary

Week 153
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lodging	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	77.7
Food	20.41	0	8.02	1.58	5.51	5.5	15.7	56.72
Other	42.96	5.1	14.74	5.1	5.1	5.1	5.1	83.2
Total	74.47	16.2	33.86	17.78	21.71	21.7	31.9	217.62

So that’s pretty good. And for the month…

Dec 20
Category	Week 149	Week 150	Week 151	Week 152	Week 153	Total
Travel	1.51	0	0	5.71	0	7.22
Lodging	26.19	77.7	77.7	77.7	77.7	336.99
Food	17.46	54.52	47.33	40.58	56.72	216.61
Other	10.88	36.76	99.89	121.4	83.2	352.13
Total	56.04	168.98	224.92	245.39	217.62	912.95

A little more expensive than usual but still ok.

And total spending for the year of 2020 is…. $8653.91! It’s a lot more than locals spend in a year, but far less than anyone I know that’s living in the West. And minus a few virus issues (which is almost everywhere on the planet at this point), my lifestyle is better than I ever experienced in the US. Perhaps this year, more people than ever will decide to leave their overpriced countries, and go see the world. It’s amazing out here!

Financial Friday 152

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 152….

Transportation

On Tuesday, I had to take a couple taxi rides: $5.71. This is over twice as much as I’d normally pay because public transportation is shut down, and there’s a curfew between 2100-0500. The combination of these two greatly increase demand even though it’s so much more expensive.

Accommodation

The AirBnB for the month comes out to $11.10 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: $0.39 per day.

On Friday, I did some shopping for myself: $85.37. I bought two computer games: Phoenix Point, and Humankind. They were on sale so I had to do it….

On Thursday, my mobile base plan was renewed: $0.33.

Summary

Week 152
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	5.71	0	0	5.71
Lodging	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	77.7
Food	9.08	0	14.81	0	0	16.69	0	40.58
Other	90.48	5.1	5.1	5.1	5.1	5.1	5.42	121.4
Total	110.66	16.2	31.01	16.2	21.91	32.89	16.52	245.39

So this looks a bit expensive, but it’s mostly the games I bought myself. See you next week….

Financial Friday 151

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 151….

Transportation

Zero. Lockdowns tend to prevent spending in this area.

Accommodation

This month’s rent in an AirBnB comes out to $11.10 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 until Tuesday: $0.40 per day. On Wednesday, my subscription renewed at $0.39 per day.

On Saturday, I bought a computer game (Baulder’s Gate 3): $64.19. It’s a little expensive, but I figured I could use a treat.

Summary

Week 151
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lodging	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	77.7
Food	0	12.33	9.05	0	7.21	13.03	5.71	47.33
Other	5.11	69.3	5.11	5.11	5.11	5.11	5.11	99.96
Total	16.21	92.73	25.26	16.21	23.42	29.24	21.92	224.99

So it looks a bit high, but that’s mostly due to the video game (a one time expense). See you all next week….

Financial Friday 150

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 150….

Transportation

Zero. Lockdowns tend to cut down on this.

Accommodation

AirBnB for the month comes out to $11.10 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: $0.40 per day.

Summary

Week 150
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lodging	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	11.1	77.7
Food	12.55	22.15	3.63	0	0	5.86	10.33	54.52
Other	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.11	5.11	5.11	5.11	36.76
Total	29.09	38.69	20.17	16.21	16.21	22.07	26.54	168.98

Nice. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 149

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 149….

Transportation

Public transportation was shutdown on Saturday. This leaves my only option for getting around the city as taxis. Fortunately, the price of these is pretty low (around $2 per ride). It’s considerably more than the metro, but still pretty cheap.

Accommodation

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I needed to fill a couple days before moving to a new AirBnB so the price went up considerably.

On Thursday, I started the new place: $11.10 per night. It’s more expensive than the previous rent, but now I have a whole 2 bedroom place to myself. I think it’s worth it.

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: $0.40 per day.

Unlimited mobile data: $0.31 per day.

On Friday, my limited mobile data plan was refreshed: $9.13. It probably seems silly have a plan that’s limited to 20G per month as well as an unlimited plan, but the limited data rolls over. So after I drop the unlimited plan, I’ll have a bunch of unused data.

Summary

Week 149
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	2.27	0	2.12	0	0	0	1.51	5.9
Lodging	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	15.09	15.09	11.1	73
Food	27.52	5.29	5.49	4.82	0	10.44	7.02	60.58
Other	14.57	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.44	47.21
Total	52.29	18.66	20.98	18.19	20.53	30.97	25.07	186.69

So it’s been a bit of an expensive week. I blame a lot of it on going crazy on Friday in an attempt to get all my partying in before the government shut down bars and restaurants. And for November….

Nov 20
Category	Week 145	Week 146	Week 147	Week 148	Week 149	Total
Travel	2.79	5.01	0.45	4.59	4.39	17.23
Lodging	31.72	55.51	55.51	55.51	31.72	229.97
Food	39.03	42.65	25.93	66.95	43.12	217.68
Other	20.12	35.28	38.08	38.45	30.89	162.82
Total	93.66	138.45	119.97	165.5	110.12	627.7

That’s pretty good. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 148

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 148….

Transportation

A few metro rides: $0.15 each. And a couple taxis on Saturday and Sunday at less than $2 each.

Accommodation

Base rent: $6.67 per day.

Internet: $0.31 per day.

Gas: $0.36 per day.

Electricity: $0.51 per day.

Water: $0.08 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: $0.40 per day.

Unlimited mobile data: $0.31 per day.

On Tuesday, my mobile’s base plan was renewed: $0.37.

Summary

Week 148
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0.31	1.98	1.68	0.31	0	0.31	0	4.59
Lodging	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	55.51
Food	9.48	10.68	20.85	11.54	0	10.2	4.2	66.95
Other	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.81	5.44	5.44	38.45
Total	23.16	26.03	35.9	25.22	13.74	23.88	17.57	165.5

So, a little on the expensive side due to food. But I’ve got to get out there before the return of lockdowns. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 147

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 147….

Transportation

Due to the curfew, most bars and many restaurants are closed. This has meant my transportation costs have dropped significantly with only a few metro rides: $0.15 per ride.

Accommodation

Base rent: $6.67 per day.

Internet: $0.31 per day.

Gas: $0.36 per day.

Electricity: $0.51 per day.

Water: $0.08 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.

On Friday, I started renting a virtual gaming PC: $0.40 per day. This will let me ditch my current (heavy) laptop, and just have to carry around a small computer (and power supply) that can access the internet. Score one for making my backpack even lighter!

Summary

Week 147
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0.15	0	0	0.3	0	0	0.45
Lodging	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	55.51
Food	9.41	2.95	6.45	0	7.12	0	0	25.93
Other	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.44	5.44	38.08
Total	22.78	16.47	19.82	13.37	20.79	13.37	13.37	119.97

So yeah, another week of lockdowns making my expenses low. All this staying at home isn’t much fun though…. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 146

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 146….

Transportation

On Monday, the Georgian government brought back a curfew between 2200 – 0500 in the 6 largest cities. This has limited my transportation costs to metro rides ($0.15 per ride) after that date. Over the weekend, I managed to get in a couple taxis at less than $2 per ride.

Accommodation

All the bills are in so now I can accurately report this.

Base rent: $6.67 per day.

Apartment internet: $0.31 per day.

Gas: $0.36 per day.

Electricity: $0.51 per day.

Water: $0.08 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.

Unlimited mobile data: $0.31 per day.

Summary

Week 146
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	2.33	0.3	1.92	0	0.31	0.15	0	5.01
Lodging	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	7.93	55.51
Food	12.67	10.92	8.85	0	7.73	2.48	0	42.65
Other	5.04	5.04	5.04	5.04	5.04	5.04	5.04	35.28
Total	27.97	24.19	23.74	12.97	21.01	15.6	12.97	138.45

This is awesome! Lockdowns might suck for my mental health, but they’re great for my wallet. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 145

Week 145….

Transportation

I took a few metro rides at $0.16 each. The rest is taxis at less than $3 per ride.

Accommodation

For October, the total came out to $8.13 per day.

This month it’s:

Base rent: $6.67 per day.

Internet rough estimate: $0.31 per day.

Gas: $0.36 per day.

And I haven’t gotten the remaining bills yet.

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.

Unlimited mobile internet: last month was $0.30 per day; this month it’s $0.31 per day.

On Saturday, I bought 10 ping pong balls for beer pong at a Halloween party: $3.11.

Summary

Week 145
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0.31	2.79	0	0	0.31	2.17	0.31	5.89
Lodging	8.13	8.13	7.44	7.44	7.44	7.44	7.44	53.46
Food	18.38	15.68	0	10.68	7.82	11.83	8.7	73.09
Other	5.03	8.14	5.03	5.03	5.03	5.03	5.03	38.32
Total	31.85	34.74	12.47	23.15	20.6	26.47	21.48	170.76

Not bad. Not great, but not bad. And for October….

Oct 20
Category	Week 140	Week 141	Week 142	Week 143	Week 144	Week 145	Total
Travel	0.16	11.54	8.52	1.56	1.71	3.1	26.59
Lodging	8.13	56.91	56.91	56.91	56.91	16.26	252.03
Food	9.04	35.08	91.68	56.86	60.41	34.06	287.13
Other	11.01	71.54	35.21	35.21	59.78	13.17	225.92
Total	28.34	175.07	192.32	150.54	178.81	66.59	791.67

Also not bad. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 144

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 144….

Transportation

All these costs were metro rides: $0.31 each.

Accommodation

Base rent: $6.45 /day

Internet: $0.30 /day

Gas: $0.83 /day

Electricity: $0.45 /day

Water: $0.08 /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.

On Friday, I bought some toothpaste and mouth wash: $4.57. Because clean teeth are important.

On Sunday, my mobile phone’s base plan was renewed: $0.34.

On Tuesday, I bought a couple Georgian books: $10.25. I’ll learn this language eventually….

On Wednesday, my mobile internet plan was renewed: $9.41.

Summary

Week 144
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0.31	0	0.31	0.47	0.31	0.31	1.71
Lodging	8.13	8.13	8.13	8.13	8.13	8.13	8.13	56.91
Food	1.46	12.47	0	11.22	13.02	10.55	11.69	60.41
Other	9.6	5.03	5.37	5.03	15.28	14.44	5.03	59.78
Total	19.19	25.94	13.5	24.69	36.9	33.43	25.16	178.81

So this week was a little more expensive. The next one should be better. See you then…..