Finance

Alhamdulillah, my spending isn't too bad so far. Aside from the USD 1500 deposit I gave for the apartment, I've converted USD 2010 (350 + 1500+ 60 + 100) into YL 2508, for an average conversion rate of 1.248, which isn't bad. I only have about YTL 20 left in coins, so I figure now is as good a time as any to calculate how much I'm spending each day on average. My target is to stay below USD 10/YTL 12.5, aside from rent. YTL 1500 went to rent, and another YTL 450 went to the commission. I spent YTL 60 on the cooking gas, YTL 20 on the fan/heater, YTL 55 on the phone, and lets say another YTL 15 or so on other one-time items (umbrella, chappals, spoon, etc.). That comes to YTL 2100 for the non-daily expenditures, leaving about YTL 408 that I've spent on food, transportation, and other daily costs. I've been here 24 days so far, so that comes to YTL 17 per day more or less, not including utilities, or about 40% more than my target. In sha Allah, once I start cooking more on the weekends, that should come down. Khayr, in sha Allah. Now, I am off to go convert some more cash - the dollar has been on an upswing against the lira this past week! Alas, it seems the like the traveler's cheques will stay where they are.

By the way, I was not hit with any ATM fees for withdrawing dollars from the TEB ATM. I think that might be because my Chase account is set up so it does not hit me with non-Chase ATM fees at all. I'm not sure. But this appears to be a good strategy - just get the dollars, and convert where I get the best rate. I am trying to minimize card transactions to avoid the 2-3% overseas charge they tack on. So far, I haven't used my cards, alhamdulillah. All cash, all the time.