Money Diaries is the regular R29 series where we tackle what might be the last taboo facing modern working women: money. And so we ask all different kinds of women to map out their seven days in money for us.
Now though, Money Diaries is branching out - we’re going to find out exactly what people spend on their holidays!
For this instalment we’re with a 30-year-old woman who is taking a weekend break to Madrid for her boyfriend’s birthday. Annoyingly her boyfriend’s birthday falls at the end of the month, just before payday, which means the possibility of her running out of money and asking him to sub her on his own birthday trip is a very real possibility.
Can she manage to keep costs down without being miserly to her boyfriend who’s been looking forward to this all year?
If you want to do your own Money Diary then email us at moneydiary@refinery29.uk.
The Basics
Hotel: It was £519.85 for two people - flights and hotel included from a deal with Expedia. Normally we’d get an Airbnb but seeing at this was a birthday, the hotel was a special treat. Originally the deal was about £400 for flights and hotel for three nights but I procrastinated for too long and the deal went up in price. Oops. We are going to split the overall cost but he pays on his credit card and I pay him back (well, I will soon).
Flights: Included with hotel.
Total: £259.93
Day One
5PM: Leave work and get the outrageously priced train to Stansted Airport. It takes nearly an hour which makes me think (not for the first time) that calling it a “London” airport is a bit much. We buy a return ticket and we also have a Two Together Railcard because we’re really cool which means the total ticket price comes to a not-insignificant £18.50 each.
7PM: Forgot toothpaste and face wash (obviously) so make an emergency stop in the airport Boots and pick some up. £3.89.
7:20PM: I didn’t have time to grab dinner on the way and don’t feel like spending a tenner on a sad looking cheese croissant on the plane so I head to Pret and buy a sandwich for me, a sandwich for my boyfriend, and a can of fizzy pop. £9.95.
7:30PM: Being more than a tad scared of flying, a trip to the airport Wetherspoons is an essential part of any flight if I am to actually get on said flight. I buy a white wine for me and a whiskey soda for him. The prices are not that of a normal Wetherspoons. I am aghast. £11.15.
9PM: I cave on the flight and purchase some more drinks. We’re on holiday after all. Two terrible tasting mini bottles of red wine (one each) comes to £12.96. I sulk for the rest of the flight.
11:30PM: We land and I realise that not only do I have free 3G from my phone company but also, that Uber has been reinstated in Madrid after it was banned for a period last year. Obviously we get an Uber to the hotel. €21.62
12AM: We arrive late but want to make the most of our short time here so go for one gin and tonic in a bar that I’m definitely not cool enough to be in. Boyfriend pays. Hooray.
Total: £74.99
Day Two
9AM: We get up early and decide to pretend we’re grown-ups and get the included breakfast at the hotel. It’s €19 each and there’s even champagne. I ignore the champagne though and get stuck into the excellent selection of Spanish meats. There’s about seven different chorizos. It’s wonderful.
12PM: After lounging around for a bit we walk to the Thyssen-Bornemisza museum across town to have a look at some lovely paintings. Once there I curse myself for forgetting that European museums often charge for entry. I spend €24 for two tickets. Afterwards I am hungry again so we get coffee and snacks from the museum cafe €8.35.
8PM: After wandering around the park and the city all afternoon we’re pretty tired so after a quick pit stop at the hotel, we head out to a street food restaurant. The total comes to €26 but boyfriend pays to get me back for the day.
10PM: We find a amazing cocktail bar and have two cocktails each. They are incredible. And very strong. I can’t remember who paid tbh but it’s not on my bank statement so I guess it wasn’t me (result).
2AM: We head for a very ill-advised last gin and tonic before realising halfway through that it is a truly terrible idea. We leave and I am relieved of €14 for my half drunk drink.
Total: £56.05
Day Three
11AM: We are not feeling fresh this morning and decide that getting the hotel breakfast again would be a bit much. Instead we head out to a market and grab some tapas-esque bits and bobs (mainly frittata) to eat while we walk around. I pay. €13.66.
12:30PM: I have got the period pains from hell (good timing) so I stop in a pharmacy to buy some iBuprofen (€5.15) and grab a bottle of water from the supermarket next door (and maybe some crisps) to make sure that I’m OK with wandering around for the rest of the day. €2.50.
2PM: We go shopping in some lovely boutique shops for my boyfriend’s birthday. He buys himself a coat (I’ve already bought him an excellent birthday present) and I somehow find myself in the Zara Outlet store purchasing a a dress which is a total bargain at €9.99.
5PM: It starts raining very heavily so we duck into a tapas restaurant and go hard on the stereotypical tapas - croquettes, frittatas, chorizo. I pay and its €26.50.
9PM: We head out for dinner at a place that's decorated like an eccentric nan’s bedroom (in a good way). It’s super cheap but super delicious and my boyfriend picks up the bill.
11PM: We head for more gin and tonics. This is becoming a recurring theme of the holiday. I order without realising I’ve ordered the most expensive one. Oops. For two drinks its €17.
12AM: We head back to the hotel which conveniently has a roof bar. It’s freezing but we brave it because we’re determined to have the full experience. A wine each is €8.
Total: £71.05
Day Four
10AM: I get us an Uber to the airport because getting on the Metro with these period pains does not appeal to me. €22.94.
11AM: I remember too late that Madrid airport, once you’re through the gates is ludicrously expensive. Pay €7.95 for a rubbish sandwich. Am livid.
2PM: The plane is super turbulent, and I get very anxious. Decide to buy a wine to help calm me down. It works, but I pay €7.50 for the privilege.
3PM: Land back in annoyingly sunny London and get the train back with my return ticket purchased on Day One.
Total: £32.92
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
A Week In Chicago, IL, On A $75,000 Salary
A Week In Chicago, IL, On A $65,000 Salary
You Can Now See How Much Time You Spend On Instagram, But Do You Want To Know?