In the courtyard at Jerónimos Monastery
Destinations Visited
No travel this month. Sadly, I could have gone somewhere because we had two weeks off of Portuguese language class, but we only found out the Wednesday before the Monday we were off. I had doctors appointments the first week, but the second week was a possibility if only I had more time to plan. So I decided to do a Staycation (see Being a Local Tourist below)! After all, Lisbon is a wonderful sightseeing location.
Being a Local Tourist
I visited the following museums/attractions. Click on the links to be taken to that blog post to learn more.
Medeiros e Almeida Museum
Jerónimos Monastery
MAAT Museum
Jardim Zoologico (Lisbon Zoo)
Medeiros e Almeida Museum
Jerónimos Monastery
MAAT Museum
Jardim Zoologico (Lisbon Zoo)
Expenses
My €2,200/month budget was off this month due to a major expense this month of getting new sunglasses to a cost of €680. I only paid for half in February while they were being made (they are to be ready on March 2 when I'll pay the other 50%).
Health costs were €630.28 in February. €365.28 for the 50% of sun glasses. €159.78 for health insurance and the rest on vitamins and doctor co-pays.
I spent €327 (up slightly from January) on food because I stocked up on meats (fish, chicken, pork and red meat).
I ate out 7 times this month for the grand total of €101.40 - that averages to €14.49 per meal. Not bad! That even included a fabulous meal (and most expensive of the 7) at a French restaurant in Belém called Restaurante Comptoir Parisien.
Utilities - Gas (for two months) was €23.83 and Electricity was €33.87. I'm still waiting on the Water bill from my landlord. They pay and then I reimburse them.
Health costs were €630.28 in February. €365.28 for the 50% of sun glasses. €159.78 for health insurance and the rest on vitamins and doctor co-pays.
I spent €327 (up slightly from January) on food because I stocked up on meats (fish, chicken, pork and red meat).
I ate out 7 times this month for the grand total of €101.40 - that averages to €14.49 per meal. Not bad! That even included a fabulous meal (and most expensive of the 7) at a French restaurant in Belém called Restaurante Comptoir Parisien.
Utilities - Gas (for two months) was €23.83 and Electricity was €33.87. I'm still waiting on the Water bill from my landlord. They pay and then I reimburse them.
Highlights
I got a package out of customs jail. A friend had mailed me a Christmas package. Portugal wanted €63 Euros for a gift valued at $45. But a friend told me if I check the box that it is a gift, the duty will be waived. I did and it was. It only took one month and 20 days to get to me.
I continued to do the tasks necessary after receiving my residence card. I'm now a tax resident of Portugal and received my NHR status which means I only pay a 10% flat tax for the next 10 years (if I understood this correctly), but what I pay in the United States would be subtracted from that amount (I think I will definitely get a Portuguese accountant to help me when it's time to do taxes next year).
At the end of January, I had all of the tests done for my physical. This month, I saw the doctor to review them. Unfortunately, my cholesterol is very high, so I'm now on a daily statin drug.
I also went the dentist for a cleaning. My cleaning along with a full set of X-Rays was only €63 and I don't have dental insurance here. It would have probably been closer to $400 in the United States. The dental hygienist recommended a cleaning every 6 months. I'll be curious to see what just a cleaning costs. I had two cavities (bad Linda!) and a possibly needing a root canal and crown. I've had both cavities filled for €30 each.
I also went to the eye doctors for a yearly exam. I do have vision insurance included so I only had to pay my co-pay of €19. My vision only changed very slightly in my left eye so I don't need new glasses. However, since my sunglasses were even an older prescription from 2020, I decided to get those replaced. Glasses are most expensive here (at least for my level of prescription - as I mentioned above it was €680). Unfortunately my current health insurance plan doesn't pay for glasses. I might have to look for another plan since I know that some plans do pay.
I continued to do the tasks necessary after receiving my residence card. I'm now a tax resident of Portugal and received my NHR status which means I only pay a 10% flat tax for the next 10 years (if I understood this correctly), but what I pay in the United States would be subtracted from that amount (I think I will definitely get a Portuguese accountant to help me when it's time to do taxes next year).
At the end of January, I had all of the tests done for my physical. This month, I saw the doctor to review them. Unfortunately, my cholesterol is very high, so I'm now on a daily statin drug.
I also went the dentist for a cleaning. My cleaning along with a full set of X-Rays was only €63 and I don't have dental insurance here. It would have probably been closer to $400 in the United States. The dental hygienist recommended a cleaning every 6 months. I'll be curious to see what just a cleaning costs. I had two cavities (bad Linda!) and a possibly needing a root canal and crown. I've had both cavities filled for €30 each.
I also went to the eye doctors for a yearly exam. I do have vision insurance included so I only had to pay my co-pay of €19. My vision only changed very slightly in my left eye so I don't need new glasses. However, since my sunglasses were even an older prescription from 2020, I decided to get those replaced. Glasses are most expensive here (at least for my level of prescription - as I mentioned above it was €680). Unfortunately my current health insurance plan doesn't pay for glasses. I might have to look for another plan since I know that some plans do pay.
My Favorite Colorings This Month
I colored 11 pages in February. Here are my favorites.
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New Recipes on the Blog This Month
Just click on the photo to be taken to the recipe page.
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What I Read This Month
What Happens in Paradise and Troubles in Paradise (Books 2 and 3) in the Paradise trilogy by Elin Hilderbrand. I read Winter in Paradise in 2022.
Murder Under Cover by Kate Carlisle.
The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton
Continuing with the Bridgerton series, When He Was Wicked and It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn.
Murder Under Cover by Kate Carlisle.
The Cracked Spine by Paige Shelton
Continuing with the Bridgerton series, When He Was Wicked and It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn.
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