Financial Friday 114

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 114….

Transportation

Zero. On Monday, the Georgian government stopped all public transportation so the only way to get around (that’s not walking) is by taxi. Fortunately, I have enough time to walk wherever I need to go…which has mostly been just grocery shopping.

Accommodation

AirBnB rates remain stable at $9.68 per day.

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 Sunday, my local phone plan was renewed: $0.35.

On Wednesday, my mobile data plan was renewed: $9.81.

On Thursday, I couldn’t help myself and bought the game Hearts of Iron IV, and along with a couple expansions: $42.86. Expensive, but I think I’ll get a lot of use out of it. Because what else are you going to do right now?

Summary

Week 114
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lodging	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	67.76
Food	6.48	0	6.24	0	8.27	0	10.35	31.34
Other	6.61	6.61	7.06	6.61	6.61	16.42	49.47	99.39
Total	22.77	16.29	22.98	16.29	24.56	26.1	69.5	198.49

So, the game brought my expenses up a bit, but it’s still reasonable. And for March….

Mar 20
Category	Week 110	Week 111	Week 112	Week 113	Week 114	Total
Travel	0	0.36	0.34	0.17	0	0.87
Lodging	51.7	70.4	67.76	67.76	48.4	306.02
Food	66.89	90.08	66.12	24	20.99	268.08
Other	43.85	60.12	46.27	46.27	33.5	230.01
Total	162.44	220.96	180.49	138.2	102.89	804.98

Also not too bad. I suspect this will drop a lot next month since restaurants will be closed for most of the month.

See you all next week….

Financial Friday 113

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 113. And it’s been a crazy one….

Transportation

On Saturday, I took the metro to hit up a market: $0.17. My timing was impeccable since the next day (Sunday) the Georgian government announced their “no more than 10 people together” policy. That resulted in a lot of businesses deciding it wasn’t worth staying open.

Accommodation

The AirBnB is (for now) $9.68 per day.

Food

This dropped off a cliff. Most restaurants are closed due to the ‘lockdown’ (it’s not really a lockdown, but that’s a nice, short way to describe it). The few that are still open only have take-out. So….my food bill was limited to grocery store runs. That saved me a lot of money!

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 113
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0.17	0	0	0	0	0	0.17
Lodging	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	67.76
Food	0	7.88	4.33	2.41	2.12	5.55	1.71	24
Other	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	46.27
Total	16.29	24.34	20.62	18.7	18.41	21.84	18	138.2

So yeah, this situation have been amazing for my wallet. It also ‘helps’ that the exchange rate is moving in my favor. Between the lack of tourists and the global US Dollar rush, there’s a huge demand for foreign (for Georgia) currency.

See you all next week….

Financial Friday 112

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 112….

Transportation

On Thursday, I took the metro twice: $0.17 each way.

Accommodation

The AirBnB rate for the month is $9.68 per day.

Food

This dropped off significantly this week since a lot of restaurants have closed due to lack of customers. The Georgian government advises restaurants to close, but it’s not mandatory so it all depends on what individuals are doing. The places that are hurting due to people voluntarily isolating have shut down while the ones that aren’t that effected remain open.

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 112
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.34	0.34
Lodging	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	9.68	67.76
Food	0	24.59	2.43	14.38	13.61	0	11.11	66.12
Other	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	46.27
Total	16.29	40.88	18.72	30.67	29.9	16.29	27.74	180.49

So, much better than the last few weeks. Also, a strong US Dollar is making things cheaper in general. How long will people want cash? We’ll see. See you all next week….

Financial Friday 111

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 111, and what a crazy one it’s been…. With global stock markets crashing, travel shutting down, and general mayhem, let’s see how my spending went.

Transportation

I took the metro on Thursday to get dinner with some friends. Georgia hasn’t shut down. We’ll see if it lasts.

Accommodation

On Tuesday, I switched to the next month’s rate. Since there are 2 more days in March than February, it brought the cost per day down.

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 bought a three pack of underwear: $13.85. The last of the underwear I had from the States finally died. It’s at least 3 years old…probably closer to 5…. Use your cloths until they die.

Summary

Week 111
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.36	0.36
Lodging	10.34	10.34	10.34	10.34	9.68	9.68	9.68	70.4
Food	9.62	15.98	8.17	14.99	19.87	12.2	9.25	90.08
Other	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	6.61	20.46	60.12
Total	26.57	32.93	25.12	31.94	36.16	28.49	39.75	220.96

It looks like my expenses are gradually going up. It’s still far cheaper than other places I’ve been though so…winning! See you all next week….

Financial Friday 110

Location: Tbilisi [Republic of Georgia]

Week 110….

Transportation

Zero!

Accommodation

AirBnB, living alone: $10.34 per night.

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 Friday, I renewed my base service for my local SIM: $0.39.

On Monday, I topped up my internet on my local SIM: $10.80 for 20G of data + rolling over previous months’ unused data.

Summary

Week 110
Category	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Total
Travel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Lodging	10.34	10.34	10.34	10.34	10.34	10.34	10.34	72.38
Food	15.98	5.81	22.68	10.8	22.76	10.65	0	88.68
Other	7	6.61	6.61	17.41	6.61	6.61	6.61	57.46
Total	33.32	22.76	39.63	38.55	39.71	27.6	16.95	218.52

A bit on the expensive side for Georgia, but not bad. And for February….

Feb 20
Category	Week 106	Week 107	Week 108	Week 109	Week 110	Total
Travel	1.62	1.18	0.17	0.53	0	3.5
Lodging	72.08	81.53	72.38	72.38	20.68	319.05
Food	60.67	59.36	54.52	83.37	21.79	279.71
Other	50.31	92.71	65.37	46.27	13.61	268.27
Total	184.68	234.78	192.44	202.55	56.08	870.53

I consider under $1000 to be a win. See you all next week….