MoneyMoneyMoney

One Month in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia

(click for larger version)

I'm sure you wouldn't be surprised if I told you I write a lot when I travel. I also keep a list of my expenses. Is list even the right word? Because I write down every penny and keep the log reflective of my wallet at all times. Doesn't everyone?

Dealing with new currencies is fun and frustrating, but I love the magical moment when I think to myself: "Well, then, how many Ringgits or Zlotych (currency converter) is this US$20." After about 2 or 2.5 weeks of mugging around, local currency becomes second nature. Even though they seem like strange and king-sized bills, reverting back to the good ole' USD happens pretty fast, though.



What I've done here is type up the expense summary that I created on the plane back to the US on this last trip. Here is a small version of my scanned logs (9 pages of a squared, large size -5"x8.5"- Moleskine).



Pre-trip Expenses

Air.................................................................$718.08
Houston --> Singapore ($652.08)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia-->
Sandakan, Malaysia (Borneo) ($66.00)
Guidebooks....................................................$32.41
Journal.......................................................... $19.43
Shots.............................................................$121.78
Hepatitis A + Tetanus/Diphtheria ($75.83)
MMR (Mumps/Measles/Rubella) ($3.00)
Typhoid ($42.95)
Film (36exp x 11 + 1 roll b/w) ............................ $35.71
Day Pack........................................................ $23.00
Clothes...........................................................$26.50
Shoes ........................................................... $108.23
Misc................................................................$20.00
Total Pre-trip Expenses $1105.14

Expenses During Trip

Accommodation............................................. $78.93
Dorms ($52.20)
Private Rooms ($26.73)
Food..............................................................$160.38
Convenience Stores ($41.82)
Stalls + Restaurants ($98.49)
Beverages ($20.07)
Amusement..................................................... $61.58
Museums ($6.17)
Fees/Donations ($22.74)
Entertainment ($32.67)
Communication.............................................. $43.42
Internet ($15.59)
Post (?) ($3.90)
Calls ($12.39)
Cards ($11.54)
Travel ...........................................................$426.70
Bus ($20.99)
Taxi ($27.54)
Becak ($5.37)
Subway/Train ($35.22)
Flights (Medan-Jakarta and
Jakarta-Singapore) ($334.00)
Departure Tax ($3.58)
Other..............................................................$48.00
Toiletries ($2.15)
Laundry ($3.72)
Beggers/Buskers ($7.13)
Suitcase (for puppets) ($35.00)
Souvenirs........................................................$249.09
Puppets, etc ($118.09)
DVDs, Software ($131.00)

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Total Expenses During Trip $1068.10

Keep in mind that this trip cost a lot but it was reasonable considering the length and destinations. I've known people who spent more while in Cancun, Mexico for one week! Two years previous, I spent close to the same dollar amount (+ 15-20%) for the same amount of time in Japan, one of the most expensive places to travel. Even though my daily expenses were low ($79 for a month of accommodation!), I moved quickly and saw a lot. This is the secret to cheap travel- move slowly. With only a month, it was hard for me to do so. My monthly budget for the upcoming trip (fewer than 5 days to the anticlimactic sendoff) is definitely smaller. I should be more clear- I never make a budget at home and I never make a budget before going away. I'm a fairly cautious spender and things seem to work out.

Pre-trip Expenses ............ $1105.14
During Trip Expenses ...... $1068.10
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Total Expenses ...................$2173.24