Just out of curiosity does anyone else budget for 'religious expenses' such as cathedral entrance fees, candles, donations, collections, etc?
Well, cathedrals really are museums, requiring upkeep. And they are open for free for those who actually want to pray, attend service. So, if I want to go in and enjoy it as a museum, then I have no problem paying.
BTW, the audioguide for the cathedral in Leon has to be one of the best I have ever listened to, in spain or elsewhere, church or museum, you name it. 5€ well spent.
Small churches in small communities need the monies probably even more as they may not be getting grants monuments that attract tourism might be getting. So yes, a € to turn on the expensive lights and have the benefit of the attendant explain the retablo to me is expcted, normal, and welcome. Paid my € in San Vicente de la Barquera and discovered a church that moved me to tears, also enjoyed learning about the retablo in Fromista. Left a good donation for the guided tour of the tiny but historically and architecturally important chuch right on the Camino as one leaves Melide, but noone seems to care to visit.
San Antonio does cost me a pretty penny when I see him in churches, as my grandmother’s name was Antonia. Glad there are not many San Valentin statues around, or that would increase the cost of the Camino remembering my grandfather.
But the question was « do people budget », and honestly I never have, not for church visits, not for food, drinks or a bed. I have no idea what my annual Camino costs me, I just assume 1000$ in transport, then 30€ a day, and then a little extra for church visits, buying a sheet to replace my sleeping bag liner someone might steal, a taxi when I get injurred. But I also know I won’t end up in a hotel along the way, and if I have to stay in a pension, well it’s planned for ahead and prepaid.
And BTW, I don’t consider donativos a « religious expense ». First, because many donativos have nothing to do with religion, but also because my bed and food also have nothing to do with a donation, it is what I minimally have to cover not to cost a donativo. The only way a donativo would be considered a « humanitarian expense »would be what is left beyond what one costs, so that the donativo may welcome those who cannot pay to eat, rest and be part of the evening.