Monthly Recap: February 2023

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)

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.

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.

My Favorite Colorings This Month

I colored 11 pages in February.  Here are my favorites.

New Recipes on the Blog This Month

Just click on the photo to be taken to the recipe page.

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.