Trip Expenses

When I go on trip, I would mark down all my expenses. I like to know how much I spend for future reference. It makes it easier to budget for the next time. After computing my expense for this last trip to China, to my biggest surprise, I found out that we spent less than one thousand dollars during our journey. If we add up the cost of the tour and every miscellaneous expenses, the total spent on this trip is US$3,243.68 for the two of us! (I used the rates of US$1 = RMB¥7.30 and US$1 = HK$7.60) and I budgeted $5000!

The biggest portion of trip was the tour, which cost $1209 (per person), then we had to add $35 (per person) for Saturday return flight. Visa to mainland China was $45 for dual entry for us (for the American passport, it is flat rate of $100). Therefore, before leaving, we spent $2578.

Yes! That means... we only spend $665.68 during the trip!! and that includes 7 days that is not part of the tour, ie. eat and stay at our own expense! Hehe, we were very lucky and blessed, my relative took care of our extra night lodging in Guangzhou and we stayed with my good friend in Hong Kong. I wanted to spend more, I wanted to go crazy clothing shopping, but bad timing I guess... I really don't like this season's style and plus, it wasn't sale season either. Too bad for me, but DH is very happy he got 3 pairs of cheap pants and 1 sweater (all 4 items for RMB¥200, about US$26.32).

Finally, as my friend said, we are so under budget that we can use that money for a mini-getaway :D :D. Our next trip: Honolulu, HI at the end of January!! (This one is from attending one of those timeshare presentations: flight + 2 nights hotel for two in Waikiki, we paid $100 in "taxes").