You’d think that our country’s leaders get everything for free, but here’s the thing: presidents still pay for a couple of things!

Not everyone can be the president of the United States—it’s a tough job, and it takes a lot of strength, courage, and amiability to face all the challenges coming your way.

Campaigning for the office and gaining people’s trust can sometimes take years of education and preparation.

Not to mention, the application process is pretty rigorous too, and at the end of the day, the final decision is in the hands of the people.

But once the beautiful and historic Oval Office is yours, there are plenty of protocols and rules to follow. What’s even more interesting? Being the head of the country also comes with a few perks, like living at the White House or traveling in Air Force One. Oh, yes, and let’s not forget that they also receive a pretty six-figure annual salary.

While they receive a big salary, there are a few things presidents still pay for themselves. At the end of the day, they’re citizens just like the rest of us, and they must take care of a few necessities, right?

So, if you want to know more about what things our leaders pay out of pocket, keep reading:

1. Household necessities

Can we consider a house a home unless it doesn’t have a few things, like toilet paper, toothpaste, or garbage bags? Probably not. While living in the most popular house in the country is an astonishing perk of being in this political spot, the stuff inside is part of the things presidents still pay for out of pocket.

The good news? The First Family doesn’t have to worry about utility bills or a mortgage, so covering a few expenses doesn’t seem like a big deal, does it? At least this is what Ms. Laura Bush mentioned in her memoir, “Spoken From the Heart.”

2. Vacation accommodations

Everyone needs to relax and get some much-needed time off, am I right? Considering how difficult a political leader’s job is, it’s no wonder they want to take a vacation every now and then. But here’s something not many people know: vacation is one of the things presidents actually pay for themselves.

The presidential family covers the cost of the hotel or rental they choose. But that’s not all—they also have to pay for their own food and incidentals during their time off. In the end, it’s pretty similar to what we all pay on vacation… except for the travel and security, which are still covered.

…Are you curious to discover one of the greatest perks of living in the White House? Then keep reading to find out!

3. Groceries

While the most pretentious house in the entire America comes with its own talented chef, the presidents still pay for their groceries. This information was confirmed in an interview by the 44th First Lady, Michelle Obama, who said that she believes the grocery rule is fair.

Ms. Obama stated that since the rent and staff are free, they shouldn’t rely on taxpayers for support. We appreciate her perspective—what do you think? Leave a comment below, and let’s discuss!

4. Their personal homes

Even though the First Family lives in the White House during their presidential term, they still have to manage their homes! Isn’t that interesting? Experts say that the president needs to handle their mortgage payments and upkeep costs on their own.

For example, Barack Obama kept paying the mortgage on his home in Chicago while he was in office. What do you think about that? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments, so let’s chat!

5. Dry cleaning

The president and the First Lady always look immaculate, but the cost of having a polished look every time falls on them. Do you know what that means? There is a specific dry cleaner in Washington, D.C., that takes care of the First Family’s laundry.

6. Gifts for foreign dignitaries

When leaders from other countries come to visit the United States, it’s a nice tradition for our president to give them a gift. What’s interesting is that these gifts actually come from the leader’s own pocket!

There’s even a special team called the Diplomatic Gifts Unit within the Office of the Chief of Protocol. They work hand in hand with the president’s staff, the vice president, and the secretary of state to pick out the perfect gifts.

…It’s kind of a big deal, isn’t it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

7. Interior decor

Even though Congress is responsible for setting aside money for the upkeep and decoration of the beautiful presidential residence and its stunning grounds, there are a couple of things presidents still pay for.

For example, during Mr. Bill Clinton’s second term, Congress granted a $100,000 budget for redoing some areas of the presidential home. According to the White House Historical Association, if the First Family wants to spend more than that, they have to cover the extra costs themselves. Since everyone likes to make their home feel cozy and welcoming, some families don’t mind splurging on decor.

And speaking of family who love to play around with their home decor, a fun thing from a 2017 report shows that the Trump administration spent $1.75 million on furniture and office upgrades at the White House, while the Obama administration spent about $1.5 million in a similar timeframe

…It just goes to show that different styles come with different price tags, and we’re totally here for it! Would you spend that much on home decor? Let us know in the comments below!

8. Particular legal fees

Sometimes, the First Family has to pay their own legal fees, and that was exactly the case for Bill and Hillary Clinton. When they left the White House, they had racked up $16 million in debt!

The costs added up during his presidential mandate because of attorney fees for different investigations and impeachment proceedings. It just goes to show how complicated things can get in the political spotlight!

…It’s not easy to be a president in such a complicated world, isn’t that right?

9. Designer clothing

Presidents and their gorgeous ladies don’t have to wear designer clothing, but if they’d like to, they need to pay for those fancy outfits themselves. Fair enough, right? Designers can gift the First Family some fabulous pieces, but there’s a fun twist: they have to be donated after wearing them just once! This rule even applies to the beautiful gowns that First Ladies wear on Inauguration Day.

You can read more about this in Ms. Bush’s book, “Spoken From the Heart.” She talked about some surprising costs that came with the role, including the number of designer clothes she was expected to buy, just like those who came before her, to fulfill the expectations of being a First Lady. It’s definitely a lot to manage (and to spend, may we add)!

…What do you think about these surprising things that presidents still pay for themselves? Did you already know about any of them? Leave a comment below, because we’d love to hear your thoughts!

And if there’s a topic you’d like us to cover next on our website, just let us know. We might get to it sooner than you think!

Until then, don’t miss this other great read from Today On Politics: 9 Most Shocking Presidential Scandals That Rocked the Nation