As a reminder, my husband pays the "big bills" like mortgage, phone, and electricity. I pay for groceries and the pets and that somehow evens things out.
July was a weird month. I spent part of it in Michigan, part of it in Seattle, and part of it in California. So what I'm saying is that I traveled more than usual. Honestly, I traveled more than I did all of last year in one month. As a consequence, my eating out budget is insane, but it's coupled with an incredibly small grocery budget.
However, there was more travel (the end of the California trip and another trip to Michigan) in August, so the "travel" expenses will continue next month.
Here's how it broke down.
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Entertainment ($12.65) - This is my Spotify subscription.
Gifts ($158.10) - Postcards and the like while traveling, the bag and snacks for the friend who was leaving, and gifts for our cat sitter.
Cars ($196.20) - Gas and things, including some oil when I was in Michigan and the check oil light came on.
Savings ($200) - Lol.
Clothes ($200.58) - This is the cost of the permanent bracelet I got while I was in Seattle. I wasn't actually sure what category to put it in (travel? entertainment? - there was a hot debate about this when we were in Seattle), but it landed here.
Personal care ($251.71) - Hair cut, pedicure, random TSA approved items all add up.
Bills ($259.48) - Water/sewer and insurance.
Groceries ($271.52) - This is honestly half of what it usually is because I just wasn't home to go to the store.
Pets ($364.76) - Food for both of them, litter for the cat, heartworm treatment for the dog (a six-month supply), and we also had to get a topical medication for Hannah for flea and tick because she couldn't wear her Seresto collar while boarding when we were out of town.
Eating out ($473.19) - This is crazy. It also includes $80 cash that was miscellaneous cash while I was in Seattle. We ate out in Seattle a lot and we ate well. I have no regrets. This, combined with my grocery spending, is more than I'd usually spend on food in a month, but YOLO.
Travel ($490) - One overnight in a hotel, transportation costs while in Seattle, and money I gave our host in Seattle for letting us stay with him.
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If you stayed with a friend when you vacation somewhere, would you pay them?
I wouldn't pay a friend for visiting, but I'd probably bring a little gift, or buy dinner or something of that nature. And conversely, I wouldn't want someone to pay me while they are visiting me. But I will always happily accept a small gift!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the gift is a great idea (or often we will pay for a group activity and a meal out for everyone when we visit). I don't think I've ever actually given cold, hard cash to someone? But we're most often staying with family or close friends. I'm not good at coming up with practical gift ideas, hence paying for experiences/food!
ReplyDeleteYep- this all sounds about right. Eating out is so expensive, and Seattle and CA are expensive places. But worth it- YOLO is right.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've ever paid a friend for staying with them, but on the other hand, I can't remember the last time I traveled and stayed with a friend! I would probably offer to pay for a meal out, or groceries or something. But if you offered cash and your friend accepted, then the dynamics of your friendship made that the right course of action.
I've never given money to anyone for staying with them, be it friend or relative, but I will pay for a meal out and often cook meals (or parts of meals) at their home if they're amenable. I'll also send a gift later, or if we've gone somewhere like a wine tasting, I'll buy them a bottle or two of very nice wine.
ReplyDeleteSame as everyone - I don't 'pay' but either pay for a meal or tickets to something and/or give a gift. I guess there could be a reason that cash is more welcome, and if someone indicated that was the case I would have no issue doing that.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go to visit Younger Son and family for 2 or 3 nights, I always take groceries and beer or wine. And the kids favourite potato bread that isn't available where they live. If I visit friends, I wouldn't pay money, but I would take out for dinner, or get a meal in, or take them to a concert....
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I'd never thought about paying a friend for staying with them. Like the others, I'd be more inclined to buy meals, groceries, gas, etc. And of course, a gift. But it was generous of you to give your friend money, and it sounds like he was a good host!
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