Let's talk about budget...

You don't want to see how I spelt it before (sue-sue) lol. Been gone a long time but I know you faithful folks will keep me in line.

For those securing accommodations - just a little warning. I felt I was misled (maybe too harsh) into paying more than the posted rate at one of the hotels (to remain nameless). Got my quote in USD and paid using my US Visa card ($1400 USD). How bout them charging an exchange rate way below the "current" rate. By the time you convert the difference I ended up spending and extra $400 TT or $66 USD more. When I queried I was told they use a flat rate of $5 something'ish. Basically, I was charged the TT equivalent that was then converted to USD by a much lower rate. If I had known that I would have paid them in TT$$. Just a point to note...and to make matters worse I had several 1st time visitors with me who had to contend with the same issue. Of course by the time you realize the diff. you are back in the States. $400TT - Breakfast party $$.

5.00 TT exchange rate?? and you don't want to put them on blast ? That is a fete ticket right there the bloody thieves.

Just to clarify it wasn't $5. It was definitely more than that. I went back and looked at my records. I had a signed agreement with Chancellor Hotel for 5 nights for $1400 USd. They sent me the agmt which I signed and returned to them. When I got my credit card statement and the charges were in TT$$ which of course had to be converted to US. To make a long story short I was charged $1460 instead of the $1400. So it was a $60 diff on my card and around the same for my co-workers. So it was roughly $360TT each not $400 as I previously stated.

What Chancellor should have done was notifiy us that charges will be in TT$$ and not the confirmed rate they quoted us in USD (so we're not surprised when the bill comes). I still have all the correspondence, including written documentation from the Hotel and there was no indication that 1. They are unable to process charges in USD and 2. Customer may incure additional charges in excess of posted rates as a result of the conversion.

Of course when I contacted them I was unsucessful and decided it wasn't worth the fight.

I use my card occassionally when I come home and the charges are usually at the current exchange rate. I buy stuff at the airport and I know what I pay. In this case Chancellor used their own currency rate to convert the $1400 US which wasn't the current bank rate and left me stuck with the excess. Doh worry, ah bunking with friends for 2k9. All I need is a place to shower and get a couple hours of sleep.
BC

(scratches head)... budget? hmm... sounds like a good idea, maybe I should get one. LOL

whta;d the point of a budget .. yuh gine buy what yuh want anyways


think of it more as a running total

I agree with Quiche

Quiche wrote:

whta;d the point of a budget .. yuh gine buy what yuh want anyways


think of it more as a running total

Actually I have a month by month yearly budget and the point of it is to have a guide of how I am spending and saving my money. I don't think I would save a cent if I had a running total!!

I don't formally budget for carnival either and honestly I prefer to be oblivious to the actual cost. My only rules are 1.No loans and 2.All bills paid before I leave for carnival. Although, the last time I was in Trinidad I heard the banks offer carnival loans. Talk about diggin' ah hole for yuhself! Have ah time ppl.

BC, I agree with you totally and your rules are pretty sensible.

I'm lucky in that my husband and I don't really have many expenses, so I can indulge myself. But my natural frugality prevents me from going mad, like I simply cannot buy them boots for $400! I lookin' for some cheap boots over here and bring them home.

A good rule is, if you need a loan to pay for it, you doh need it that badly (of course this doesn't apply to houses and cars in some cases...). Carnival loans? Talk about irresponsible lending!

it's the bank's interest ................... to get interest!!

Yeah, but with banks failing left right and centre due to dodgy loans, is it really wise to lend money to people who can't afford six grand for Carnival? Um, no. Not so much!

Yeah.....But how else they go pay for de $2000 markup on they costume?

Touche, my good lady!

I've taken Saucy's advice and planned a monthly budget so that by February, certain costs don't feel overwhelming to pay from January's paycheques. Also, I try to buy certain things little by little and months in advance so that I have it ready, like buying my makeup in the summer months; buying boots in March/April when they go on sale to make way for summer shoes, etc.

I too am purchasing my stuff little by little every month.

Boots one month, accessories a next.

I know I will still end up buying some last minute crap that I will most likely not use at all tough...ah well...

DO LIKE ME AND JUST SPEND JUST SPEND AND AT D END OF IT ALL JUST CRY MAMA LOL

my costume gone up.... its now 9200

Oh dear! I think that's what I'm spending in total on my costume and all accessories, Kris!

My parents own a house in St James so I staying there, and I think I have some money in my TT account...now I have to find the card! If not, I might have to re-open the Bank of Daddy.

But the real budget buster is flights. Lord, them flights!!!

carnivalkrisdude wrote:

my costume gone up.... its now 9200

ok ppl i have a problem.. i keep wanting more and more.. when will it STOP!!!!

Quiche, talk to yuh boy nuh!

Kris, it will stop when the money run out.

carnivalkrisdude wrote:

my costume gone up.... its now 9200

Are you going to be king of the band ? Depending on how elaborate the costume is that is not a bad price.

saucy_diva wrote:

carnivalkrisdude wrote:

my costume gone up.... its now 9200

Are you going to be king of the band ? Depending on how elaborate the costume is that is not a bad price.

yeah thats it...saucy.. it gone into production already i think.. ..i cah afford nothing more nah... you know what the judging thing is like?

carnivalkrisdude wrote:

saucy_diva wrote:

carnivalkrisdude wrote:

my costume gone up.... its now 9200

Are you going to be king of the band ? Depending on how elaborate the costume is that is not a bad price.

yeah thats it...saucy.. it gone into production already i think.. ..i cah afford nothing more nah... you know what the judging thing is like?

splits is naff points

Quiche wrote:

carnivalkrisdude wrote:

saucy_diva wrote:

carnivalkrisdude wrote:

my costume gone up.... its now 9200

Are you going to be king of the band ? Depending on how elaborate the costume is that is not a bad price.

yeah thats it...saucy.. it gone into production already i think.. ..i cah afford nothing more nah... you know what the judging thing is like?

splits is naff points

errrrmm no eh..i go haffi wear tights fuh dat

so what's the problem ?