Living in the White House is not a total free ride for the President at the taxpayer's expense. The government does not pay for the President's meals, bedtime snacks, dry cleaning for his suits (although his shirts are done in-house), toilet paper, toothpaste, litter for his cats, and most other types of personal expenses. While the President does not have to go to the grocery store himself and can leave that task to the White House staff, he does receive a bill each month for the costs incurred for him and his family and guests.
Ronald Reagan indicated that the personal services provided at the White House rivaled those of an "8-star hotel" and was happy to pay for them. Other occupants, especially Rosalynn Carter, were less than thrilled to discover the amount of money her family would have to shell out. Fortunately for the Presidents, the costs of official state dinners are not considered personal expenses.
For additional insights from the National Geographic on the nuts-and-bolts of running the White House, check out its issue for January, 2009.
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