Expenses that I never expected but had to spend money on anyways

Things come up in mysterious ways…including expenses you didn’t anticipate when on a trip, unfortunately 😔.

When it comes to traveling and funds (or in life actually), people always say prepare for the worst, cause ya just never know. This kinda always played out in the back of my head when planning my trip, but as the positive outlook type of person that I am, I didn’t take it on mentally.

I did however know it would be smart to set aside some money (and not touch it!) in case some form of an emergency occurred.

Luckily, throughout my time in NZ I didn’t have one (a medical emergency at least). But, I did realize I ended up spending money (or more money than anticipated) on things I never imagined I would (including one or two luxury items but, “Cya help” aka “I can’t help it”).

I’m quite frugal when it comes to spending, but with these, I had to bite the bullet and spend the dollars. I listed some of them for you below, to show you how some things you just don’t think about come out of the blue, and you gotta roll with the punches (as expensive as they may be), and trudge forward either way.

GG’s unexpected spending in New Zealand

1. BED BUG ATTACK (dramatic much?) – listed but not limited too:
   1. Clothes washing @ laundry mat (clean and dirty clothes) ($42NZD – $27USD)
   2. Bug spray ($50NZD – $33USD)
   3. Bed bug bomb ($40NZD – $26USD)
   4. More clothes & sheet washing ($22NZD – $15USD)
   5. Doctor visit ($90NZD – $58USD)
   6. Exterminator visit ($120NZD – $78USD)
   7. Total bed bug attack cost $364NZD – $234USD
2. Clothes for the new climate and activities I’d be up to ($100NZD – $65USD)
3. Batteries for electrical toothbrush ($10NZD – $7USD) (Luxury item #1)
4. Loofah ($10NZD – $7USD) (Luxury item #2)
5. Mail to a friend ($5NZD – $4USD)
6. New Zealand ID card (X2 – lost one) ($100NZD – $65USD)
7. Phone charger cord ($10NZD – $7USD)
8. Uniform for a job I didn’t get ($41NZD – $27USD)
9. Subscription for a week’s worth of viewing on a dating app ($12NZD – $8USD) (When ya bored 😩)
10. Laundry basket ($12NZD – $8USD) (Luxury item #3)
11. Total $300NZD – $193USD

Grand total unexpected spending : $664NZD or $427USD

I NEVER anticipated that I’d get bed bugs.

Who would?

Phone charger failing you half way through a trip is never fun. 

And a laundry basket, though not a necessity, helped me feel more at ‘home’, so I got one (odd I know, but, to each their own).

As you can see, these ‘random out of no where but money need fa spend’ things can ADD UP. Luckily I set aside some ‘gift’ money I received from family and friends. Between that, my savings, my frugal spending and people looking out for me (I call them my travel angels), I was able to make it through in one piece.

I say and share all of this to say:

1. When going on a trip, save and set aside some ‘you never know what may happen money’ – and ‘NA TOUCH UM’ (Translation: Do not touch it *in a strict voice*).

If something goes wrong, you have it.

And if it all goes right, you have a lil sumn sumn to buy yourself something nice instead (like bigger loofah).

It’s a win win.

Yours truly,

Global Gyal