Oh, so that's why I'm broke

I sat down today with a glass of sparkling rose wine and a piece of chocolate cake to make the process of going through my finances easier.

And I discovered why I'm in around -70 euro in debt on my French bank account and why I'm around 450 in debt on my Canadian bank card.

Two nouns.

London. Paris.



I spent waaaaaaayyyyyyy more money then I had planned to.

The biggest purchases on that trip was all the train rides, with me taking the wrong train and everything. In total I payed 215.58 CDN and 78.20 EU for transportation. That's a lot, and next time can be avoided by booking early, not travelling during peak periods, not getting lost, (being less careless is something I have to work on in general!!) and booking trains only with my French account--> which I didn't have a choice of because at the time my debit card hadn't activated.

I spent around 100 Euro on food and beer, which can easily be avoided by NOT EATING OUT!!! Sometime it is very tempting, but I have to learn to control myself. I think next time I can get this number down by half, which will still allow me to eat out a few meals.

I have 50 euros, 150 USD and probably 20 pounds in cash unaccounted for so I have no idea where that money went! Probably ice cream knowing me...

I can't stress how important it is to write down what you spend, either when you are spending it or at the end of the month. For me, it opened my eyes on where I can easily save and where I am overspending. And it only took about 20 min, so its pretty painless. I was kind of in denial before, but now I see how careless I can be. I know what mistakes I won't make again like.....

1. using my Canadian cards
where the exchange rate makes everything 1.5 times more expensive. To my credit, this couldn't be helped because my French card randomly stopped working for a few days in London.

2. Bank fees.
I spent a total of 17.7 on bank fees. Every time you purchase something in a non-Euro zone my French bank charges me 1 euro. It would have been better had I taken out a wad of cash, for which they would have only charged me 3 euro. Of course, knowing me I would have lost all the cash so thinking about it, I would rather spend money on bank fees!


Things I did good

1. Tourist Sites
I only spent 16.07 on tourist site, and that was for ONE entrance fee to the Tower of London. All other touristy things I did for free including walking tours, museums, and markets. This just takes some research time on the internet.

2. Hostels
I spent 40.68 on accomodation. it would have been only 20.65 had I not taken the wrong train and had to pay for a hostel in Nantes.

Now I can budget for future trips with a better estimate of how much I really need and not a fairy-tale version.

Orientation #2

Yesterday was a second orientation in Le Mans.

Me and BR (British Roommate) woke up at 7 to be there for 9. Lo and behold there were young people! Speaking English! It was wonderful. I was so shocked and overjoyed by hearing my own language spoken by people my age I babbled incessently.

Not the best way to make new friends, but I was overwhelmed, I couldn't control myself!

There were a lot of cool people there including 2 Canadians! (Its extra exciting to meet Canadians, at least for someone patriotic like me)

AND if that isn't exciting enough, here is the real news.

Last orientation took place entirely in French. I had no idea whatsoever what they were talking about. This orientation also tool place entirely in French, but I had some sort of idea what they were talking about!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The words made sense!!

Now, I didn't understand exactly what they were saying, and I certainly didn't catch all the nuances, but I could definitely understand the gist, if not precise directions.

That is definite improvement in a little over 6 weeks.

Day to Day it doesn't seem like I'm really improving, but its nice to know that at least if I'm bored out of my mind and want to kill myself, I'm learning something.

So they made us go around and tell them what lesson plans were working and our experience thus far.

Everyone spoke in French except for me.

I didn't major in French in university like everyone else and I wasn't going to fumble 20 min trying to speak when I could say what I had to say in 10 min. Which was basically that the kids are nice but they can't speak English for shit.


For break they brought in coffee and the head woman poured some for me, which was nice. But she stopped when the tiny plastic cup was half-way full.

"Ummm Madam, I'm going to need more of that. I'm Canadian, we drink full cups of coffee"

"ooo!" And she poured some more. "I was just making sure that there was enough for everyone"

oooops and there is me feeling like a selfish jackass.

Anyways we eventually broke for the 2 hour lunch and a bunch of people went to go get tickets for New Moon. I COULD have joined them if I LIVED in Le Mans, but I DON'T so I COULDN'T. Not feeling bitter about that at all.

I had brought a lunch, in my attempt to budget, and so did one other girl from New Zealand, making me feel like I wasn't the only nerdy one.

I don't have that much food, so my sandwich was 2 slices of brown bread (I finally bought bread), sliced Swiss Cheese and guacamole. Yes, Guacamole. Don't ask me why, I needed something to make the sandwich less dry and guacamole was the only thing I could find in my fridge. Plus, I needed to use it up before it went all moldy like my pesto did. Waste not, Want not!

This New Zealend girl is WAY better at budgeing than me. I need to learn some tips from her. For instance, she only spends 13 euros a week on groceries. That is crazy! I didn't even think that was possible. She is not emanciated or anything..

In Canada I would spend (an embarrassing) 75$ a week on groceries! And I'm not obese. (I don't think...I'm also not a size 00. Or even a size 4. OKAYYYYY, but I'm not sitting all my couch all day eating potato chips.)

After lunch we had to make lessons plans with videos or songs that we were given. That was surprisingly fun. My group got a song by Charlie Winston who "seduced France but is largely unknown in England" and he has really interesting songs and my new favourite artist.

After the orientation a group of people went to see New Moon, and I was left alone to shuffle back to my lonely and cold town.

Okay I actually stayed and did some browsing at HM. I was also really hungry, that Swiss cheese- guacamole sandwich did not hit the spot, so I grabbed a Kebab. For 5 euros. I KNOOOOOOOOWWWW I'M SOOOO WEAKKK.


For a so-called vegetarian on a budget I am doing a shitty job of it. But I was hungry. And my iron levels were low. And I was depressed knowing I had to go back to my town after spending the day with people my own age. So I gave in.

I am officially at -69 euros. Ugh. And when I was at HM I saw such cute things I wanted to buy. I really need a pair of this season leather riding boots. They go with everything.. And I wouldn't mind some converse sneakers as well, for those casual days. And some Uggs for those wintry-casual days.

Must. Stop. Thinking. About. Shopping.

Okaaaay going on www.nordstrums.com to fake-online shop to get rid of this craving.



* I would talk about the people that I met in gossipy detail but they might be reading this blog so I will refrain.

Cheap Potage

I'm writing this as my my leek-carrot-potato soup is simmering.

I just took out 50 euros from the bank and the receipt said that I was NEGATIVE 14 euros. Fun! How I got to this dire state will be explained in the next post, after I check out my account online and figure out where I spend my money.

So I have a feeling I will be cooking this soup quite a bit this month.

i literally looked around the grocery store and thought What is the cheapest produce?

This search led me to carrots, potatoes and onions. You can buy kilograms of each of these for one or two euros! (This deserves an exclamation mark because I get excited about things like this)

1 kilo of carrots is 65 cents! That is ridiculously cheap.

So I basically plan to live off of those 3 basic foods. Want to follow my journey until my next paycheck?

I'm not some sort of huge carrot, potato and onion fan, I mean, I much prefer tomatoes and mushrooms and veggies like that, but it is always good to branch out and try new foods. At least that is what they told us in kindergarden.

I'm no Robert Fulgham, but those kindergarden teachers were pretty smart okay?

And don't worry, I also have some other stuff in my pantry including spices, canned beans and tomatoes, leeks that I bought on sale, pasta (39 cents for 500 grams if you buy Carrfour Discount label) and an almost-stale bag of chocolate croissants.


But lets get back to the 3 basics.

I figure that there are a bunch of different dishes that I can make with these.

I made leek-carrot-curry-couscous for lunch the other day.

I just sauteed the veggies, boiled the couscous and sprinkled on curry sauce. It took about 5 min and was good!

Today I used my fool-proof chop'n'drop method of cooking that I utilize, oh, for every single meal, and chopped up potatos, carrots, onions, leeks, garlic and threw it into a big pan with olive oil. Then I added some random spices including: salt, parsley, Thyme. We'll see how it tastes when its done, but it smells good!

I also often make oven-fries, which is really tough. I have to chop up potoatos then put them in the oven for 30 min at 250 degrees. I don't know if you guys will be able to do that. It takes skill. Sometimes I even drizzle olive oil on them.


N:b: No peeling! I never peel anything, all the nutrition is always in the peel. Even Kiwis, I eat the fuzzy part. Some people say that that is gross, but I went to camp and all the cool counsellors did it so, yea..

I am a vegetarian so it makes cooking easier (I think) and I also really like veggies, which is a plus.

My next recipe- since I never make batches, because I am a hungry girl and if I make enough for leftovers I inevitable end up eating it before I should- is this

Its curry-carrot-leek soup! So basically my 2 recipes together. Sweeet. I will continue to peruse great sites like www.allrecipes.com for things I can make. You can just type in the food that you have and a bunch of recipes will come up. Its great. Also, I have so much time on my hands and this is semi-productive.

Holy shit I'm poor and bored

But its okay! I found a website that told me how to ENJOY life cheaply. This kills 2 birds with one stone, since a lot of the tips seem good to relieve boredom as well.


I will try to make this the last "I'm poor" post, but I'm sure a lot of you are poor too so we are in this together! This is the first year that my parents haven't given me any money to live, so I am living almost completely off 750 Euros a month that I earn.

I like doing that though, since so many people are in debt it's important how to learn how to live frugally early! I need to have these habits. I'm way too materialistic anyways and I should learn how to be happy without a Marc Jacobs Torquoise wallet. I will just have to learn to live with my Gold broken D&G one. Or maybe I will make one out of duct tape! Or is that going to far?

Anyways, read the site I have enclosed the link. The main tips are just to enjoy the little things and spend time with the people that you love!

This is kinda hard for me since everyone I love is an 8 hour plane ride away, but I get the message.

I will just have picnics in the park by myself. And bake cookies for my classes. And just enjoy being by myself, on a sunny day, listening to Wilco (my band of the moment).

Dammit, I WILL be zen and fulfilled without a high salary and a packed schedule!

Pasta for the Broke:Eating on a Budget:

So I blew all my money on vacation (will describe it in many later posts) and have no money left to buy groceries.

I looked at the meager offerings in my fridge, leftover from a week ago, and invented the Poor Person's Pasta!

1 Cup of Pasta
Half of red onion
2 cloves of garlic
1 TBS of olive oil
Tomato paste from a tube
Butter
Swiss Cheese
Basil

I sauteed the onions and garlic and then squeezed out some tomato paste. It seemed really thick and sweet so I watered it down with a few splashed of cool tap water and stirred.

Then I shook some basil on it.

When the pasta I had been boiling was done, I strained it then added it to the pan and stirred it all together. I then added some butter and grated cheese, stirred and ate!

It is actually really good! I'm impressed by myself! And all from what I found in my fridge, since I really should use up all my food before buying more. Also I'm too tired to go grocery shopping.

Budget traveling in general

I get asked a lot how I afford to travel, since I don't work full-time, so I have decided to share a secret: I budget travel. Semi-hardcore budget travel. People, being soft and flaky, don't usually understand this concept.

So I will explain it.

Sleeping

Most Hardcore: Camping/sleeping in train stations or airports

You should do this if you are only staying in a place for one night or are catching an early flight. There is no shame in this. You are saving the price of 1 nights accommodation! It is a thing to be admired. Just sleep on a pair of rolled up socks or your backpack and drape a sweater over yourself. Also, by doing this you may be able to get a really cheap flight since the cheapest flights always leave before 7 am and there is usually not a cheap way to get to an airport that early. Killing 2 birds with one stone!

I have done this several times, most noteably in Morocco where I slept in the airport to catch my 6 am flight. Of course, my flight ended up being delayed for 10 hours, but that's a different story.

You can also take a night-bus/train and this saves on accommodation as well. This kind of sucks though if you can't sleep on buses. Try to take a Gravol or a sleeping pill, keep your cash close, bring ear plugs and an inflatable pillow and you should be fine. Trains are much better then buses for this since you are less squished. I did this when for the 12 hour journey from Tangier to Marrekesh and I was nervous the whole time that someone was going to rape or kill me but it turned out fine and everyone was very pleasant. I also went on a night bus from Seville to Madrid and it arrived at 6am. I had to wander in the dark to find my hostel and then ended up sleeping until noon anyways.

Semi-hardcore: Crashing on couches.

If possible, sleep at a friends. If this isn't possible, try couch surfing. I know lots of people who have done this and are still alive! If you don't feel comfortable sleeping on a random person's couch, find a guy or girl at a bar, seduce them and sleep at their place. Not only is this free, but it may also come with breakfast.

A little Hard-core: Sleeping in weird places in the Hostel
Sometimes if you ask hostels have places that you can sleep that are cheaper. Once in a hostel in Greece I slept on a rollaway cot in a bathroom that was much cheaper then the full rate.

Not-Even-A-Little Hardcore: Sleeping in the Hostel Dorm
For 10-40$ you can sleep in a hostel dorm. This is what most people do most of the time, but remember that there are other options! Seriously, even not sleeping in a hostel twice on your trip will save you around 40$ that can be spent on more valuable things, like museum admission.

Food

Traveling is a great time to go on a diet. You won't feel hungry because you will be to busy DOING things. No eating out of boredom when you travel! The cheapest things to eat are street meats, like Kebabs and Gelatos. Once for 30 days all I had was one Kebab and 1 Gelato every day and I lost 10 lbs! And I felt full and satisfied every day because, man those kebabs are filling.

Or try the baguette and nutella route. The first day go into a grocery store and buy a squirt bottle of Nutella. Every day buy a baguette for one euro and then just squirt some Nutella on it when you feel hungry. You can augment this diet buy buying bananas or apples whenever you run into a grocery store or market. I usually do this in Amsterdam because Nutella is an excellent food for munchies. You can get buy for a week on a budget of less than 5 euros a day for food with a little planning if you are a girl. I usually eat a LOT and I have no problem with this. Guys tend to eat more so it may be a few euros more.

If you feel that you won't be satisfied by these options just try to hit up the grocery store a lot. You can buy some great sandwiches in grocery stores for half the price you would pay in bakery.

The worst thing you can do for your budget is sit down to eat. The best thing you can do is buy stuff in the grocery store and cook it in the hostels kitchen. Pasta, couscous, bread, Carbs are definitely your friend when your traveling because they are cheap and fill you up!

Coffee

It is essential not to buy coffee out every day. This adds up REALLY fast. I have a lot of trouble with this since one of my favourite things to do is shop while drinking coffee. Instead, buy a small bottle of Nescafe Instance coffee with the red label. This tastes great, is portable and is only 2.15 euro. Just add a tablespoon to some boiling water and you can have morning coffee for a fraction of the price.

Alcohol
You MUST pre-drink. Or order beer at the bar, often in Europe beer is under 3 euros. Hard alcohol is always more expensive and not worth it. Often the beer is a specialty of that region so you are also being cultural. Remember, The more you drink beer the more you like it! This isn't that hard since if you are a student you are probably used to budgeting alcohol.


Attractions

Its hard to get around this, most attractions cost money. If you can try to get the youth rate. Lie and pretend that you are 17. It can't hurt to try. Sometimes you can save 10 euros by doing this. Or go to the tourism website and check out the Whats On section and it will always post things that are free to do in the city. For instance, for London I checked out www.visitlondon.com and now plan to go on free Halloween tours.

By watching where I sleep and what I eat I can travel to way more places for way cheaper. I have been known to search for hours for a diet coke that is a quarter cheaper though so it is definitely possible to go overboard. But I really think that with less money you will almost always have a more adventerous trip.

Nevertheless it is always hard to stick to the budget so it helps to save on the big things (flights, accommodation, food_ so if you go overboard on the smaller things (like shopping or souviners) it won't hurt you too much.