I understand that it’s quite an operation, and has to be.
But I never heard that the President must pay personal expenses. Do you have more info on that? Link perhaps?
Compensation
Presidential pay history
Date established
Salary
Salary in 2012
dollars
September 24, 1789 $25,000 $673,451
March 3, 1873 $50,000 $992,777
March 4, 1909 $75,000 $1,954,850
January 19, 1949 $100,000 $967,315
January 20, 1969 $200,000 $1,254,610
January 20, 2001 $400,000 $519,979
Sources:[75][76][77]
Since 2001, the president has earned a $400,000 annual salary, along with a $50,000 annual expense account, a $100,000 nontaxable travel account, and $19,000 for entertainment.[78][79] The most recent raise in salary was approved by Congress and President Bill Clinton in 1999 and went into effect in 2001.
The White House in Washington, D.C., serves as the official place of residence for the president; he is entitled to use its staff and facilities, including medical care, recreation, housekeeping, and security services. The government pays for state dinners and other official functions, but the president pays for dry cleaning and food that he, his family, and personal guests consume; the high food bill often amazes new residents.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_United_States