For various reasons, we decided this month (Sept 25-Oct 25) to try to live on $580 (after taking out taxes, bills and tithe). We didn't think that would be hard, and it hasn't really, but we ended up spending most of it in the first two weeks without noticing. A moderate-spending day trip to Lima, for example, ended up costing us $115. The last two weeks (Oct 10-24), after setting aside money for laundry, housekeeper, dog food, and other expected expenses, we were left with $50 for food, transportation, and anything else we wanted. It's been a little bit of an adventure. We've spent $11 on medicine (mostly doggie deworming pills) and $2 on transportation (two round-trip fares to the city next door). That leaves $2.50/day for food and nothing else.

It turns out $2.50/day is easy to do. In a way, it's been good to get even a little glimpse of how everyone else manages their money around here (except that what we spend on food is their entire budget mostly). It's fortunate that we're vegetarian cooks, and I don't know how the rest of the town can afford to not be vegetarian. Monday, for example, we had roasted vegetables with Carribbean dressing and mashed potatoes. Grocery expense? $2.50

• $0.45 2 lbs onions
• $0.45 2 lbs sweet potatoes
• $0.25 2 carrots
• $0.35 2 red peppers
• $0.45 2 lbs potatoes
• $0.20 1/2 c fresh natural yogurt
• $0.35 1/2 c margarine

Most days are about like that. Food is completely manageable as long as I don't buy nuts, cheese, or meat. Flour would also put a dent in my budget ($1.50/2 lbs), so we've pulled back on all the afternoon baked goodies. I think one of the reasons these 2 weeks have been so easy, however, is that we know they'll be over on Saturday. I've been making a list of all the things I'm going to buy when the next "month" begins-- Corn Flakes, shorts, shampoo, and baking chocolate, to name a few. It's a different story for Peruvians. There's no guarantee of when the next pay check will come. Even if you have a job, actually. Way too frequently, employers don't have money when pay day comes, and employees just don't get their check for another 2-4 weeks.

Saturday the 25th is coming up soon! It's pay day but also our 5-year anniversary (and my brother's 23rd birthday). We're going to Lima to celebrate and will be heading to our favorite Italian restaurant (Trattoria del Mambrino) with some friends we met in language school in Arequipa. I'm looking forward to a sliver of luxury.

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