(almost) every day when I wake up I look outside and see rain and gray and clouds, so I like to cheer myself up with music in the morning.  For the past week or so, this song has gotten me in a GREAT mood and ready for the day!!! I thought I should share, in case people like happy music too.  If you want the official music video (which is great, but it can't be embedded for some reason) check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8YCSJpF4g4





Biggest/most unexpected Expenses....

1.  Laundry
costs about $4 to wash and dry one load.  I only brought about 1 1/2 week's worth of clothes, so I am spending a lot on laundry!!!

2.  Taxis

I try to walk everywhere I can, but sometimes the weather is too awful to walk home, or it's late at night and I just want to take a taxi back from a pub.  An average taxi ride would be around $12, which adds up! 

3.  Nights out

Usually costs about $8 or $9 to get into a club.  Once you are in, drinks cost anywhere from $4-$9--pricey!  One thing we were warned about when we came here was that guys don't typically buy girls drinks.  Especially not as much as the U.S.  So girls spend a lot more here than they would back home.  A lot of people go out 5 or 6 or even 7 nights a week, but that's not financially feasible for me, so I limit myself much more than other people.

4.  Lunch every day
Our meal plan doesn't include lunch, and so I buy lunch out every day.  As much as I would love to make my own lunch which would be healthier and cheaper, we only have a mini refrigerator for the entire floor (about 35 people), so there is hardly any room to buy something from the grocery store and then put in the fridge.  I typically spend $7/day a day to get a sandwich and coffee.

5.  University events
Most plays are around $8 or $9, and club meetings or events can cost anywhere from $3-$40.  I'm trying not let it stop me from doing new things!


6.  Printing
I have already spent 25 pounds ($40ish) on printing!!!  We are assigned tons of readings for our classes, and when we meet for discussions, we need to be able to talk and directly reference our readings.  I usually print about 30% of my readings, and try to take notes on the rest.  $$$$$$$$  Not money I enjoy spending.

7. Umbrella
 This is a predicted monetary drain.  My mom sent me with a little frail umbrella that is totally perfect for Minnesota rain, but not good for deadly Scottish wind and rain.  I opened up the umbrella for the first time last week and it turned completely inside out.  I thought it was salvageable, but somehow the wind mangled several metal pieces inside so it won't open properly anymore.  So I need to invest in a solid umbrella.  The wind here is vicious!



8.  Buses.  $6 for a day pass.  I'm not payin' that.  So I don't,  I walk.  Monetary drain avoided.



9.  Going out for meals.  I avoid this at all costs.  Unless it's a special day.






Things that are Cheaper here:

Nothing.
If you plan on studying abroad, bring tons of $$$$$.  It's unbelievable how much money is spent on basic day-to-day living.  All of the Americans I've talked to said they have already blown through all the money they had for the entire semester because they weren't expecting the exchange rate to be so bad.  It might not be bad for one meal, or one dress, but EVERY SINGLE THING YOU BUY costs about 70% more than you'd think because of the exchange.  Deadly.



Luckily I am having the BEST time and I try not to let the cost of something hang over my head and get in the way of me having a great time!  I am going to a production of Noises Off on Thursday night that I am really looking forward to.



Let this note be a word of warning to all future European study-abroaders.



Love
Kate