How Much Is Too Much?

Oh, that question! Once you get beyond subsistence living, life is full of choices. The most recent query comes from Miss Em, blissing out in Florence.

I have a monetary question. Frugal goddess, please answer my queries.

How much is too much?

At first glance, it seems like the answer to that question here in
Italy is: EVERYTHING. Everything is too much. Coffee is too much.
Gelato is too much. Everything is expensive.But then again, one can't think like that. I spent a lot of money toget the plane ticket over here; what's the use of scrimping and saving and wasting energy thinking about how much things cost? That would only waste my valuable time here.

Summary follows of what other kids are doing: lots of bar-hopping, pub crawls (yuk?!!), side trips to Pompeii and even Switzerland, lots of souvenir shopping. Miss Em was horrified by the girl buying a daily 4-6 euro coca-cola!

Miss Em is nosing around Florence, exploring museums and neighborhoods. It should be noted that she will be traveling around Europe with her friend Maggie for SIX WEEKS after her program ends.

Ughhhh I guess that what I'm trying to say is, I see pretty things I
want, and some pretty things I've already bought! My purchases are WONDERFUL (will give account of them later) but they seem like such anexpense. How much should I budget for these material things for myself?

But the question remains: how much is too much? Or, how much should I budget for this month for food, so I can take the difference and buy myself something?


We did not give her a budget at all, relying on her good sense to know when to say yes and when to say no. It's easier to have a flat amount, of course: you can't spend more than xxx euros. OR, which may be true for some students, no budget because we have tons of money.

How we crave boundaries. Any ideas of a basic budget for students in Florence? Her lodging, a few meals, and several side trips are all v=covered. So far, even one gelato was covered!