My working holiday - T, the cost

Ok last one in this series. These latest posts have been more of a reflective tool for me before school starts up again and my world starts spinning so fast I can't remember the little things.

The trip itself (flight, accomodations etc) were handled by my employer as I was sent on their behest.

Total costs for my trip were $520
Per Diem I will get back $200
Cost out of my pocket $ 315

Where did all this money go? Well I honestly didn't do any shopping in the big city so that isnt' a factor, unless you count the box of Gravol I got for the flight home or the razor for.........errr.........my legs. It went on seeing places, eating things and drinking things.

CN Tower entry $35
Hockey Hall of Fame $15
Blue Jays Game $40
ROM $24

Entry costs $114

Travelling costs (trolley and subway) $20. I am rounding up here plus adding in the change I gave one of the conference attendeees from wayyy out of country, who came along with us on the subway.

Souvenirs
1 practical thing each for my children and their father (hats and a tshirt) = $80

Incidentals at the drug store $22

Total Cost so far $246

The rest went on food in the airports, and the bits of wining and dining from the remainder of the trip. Frugal? hell no! Saved for? I had $200 worth of my 'savings' allowance tucked away in an envelope for this, so mostly, yes.

Could I have done better? Sure, but not if I stayed with the main group. When a large group is making food destination decicisions, sometimes even the cheapest thing on the menu is not cheap by small town girl standards. I could have NOT gone to the tourist sites but then, what is the point of being a first time (maybe only time) Tourist in Toronto? It would be different if I had a trip like this several times a year, or once a year even, but I rarely get anywhere.

I didn't get anything for myself. I figured the trip alone and the experience was my souvenir.
Thanks for listening and sorry for blabbering on and on :-)

We now return you to your regular PF blog where I wonder where I'm getting the money for school supplies and back to school activity fees.