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About Nadine Hays Pisani

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.
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CAN I DRINK THE WATER?

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:36-04:00 September 23rd, 2011|Categories: food|Tags: , |

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 2 liter Coca-Cola bottle $2.60

“Can I drink the water?” People often ask me this with a tiny glimmer of fear in their eyes.  It’s the look of someone who was once a victim of an unfortunate intestinal calamity while on vacation.

“I’ve been there,” is all I can say, for I too have fought in the parasitical trenches. Once you’ve marched through that proverbial battlefield, you will never look at an unassuming ice cube in your Coca-Cola again. Every icy glass of soda becomes a potential enemy. Therefore, it is understandable people ask this question when considering a visit to Costa Rica: Is it safe to drink the water? (more…)

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LIVING IT UP IN COSTA RICA

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:36-04:00 September 16th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: , |

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 4.68 lb box of dishwasher detergent-you’ll have to read the story

“Honey, you’ve been working really hard and the book is selling, I think you should treat yourself to dishwasher detergent,” Rob says this morning.

I look at him as if he just reserved two first class tickets
to Australia. We don’t buy dishwasher detergent because it’s imported and…well…we want to have enough money to actually eat. The only place to buy this product is at the expensive grocery store in Tamarindo. A place I rarely go, but when I do, I walk the aisles with nostalgia as I pass the Pop Tarts and Keebler cookies. Those were good times, I say to myself.

Although Rob tries to convince me that this is a gift for my hard work,  I’m not fooled by his gesture. (more…)

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FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IN COSTA RICA

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:37-04:00 September 7th, 2011|Categories: Car|Tags: , |

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xg5TG5luR4
Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Private English Speaking School-$350/month

Roads are a big topic of conversation among us expats. It’s funny living in a place where  friends inform one another when a highway is closed due to mudslides. Needless to say, these roads are not only rough on your travel plans but on your car as well.

If you live on one of these car-busting/mudslinging routes, you may anticipate a prolonged period of silence at the other end of the line when you invite someone for dinner. (more…)

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SAVVY SCOOTER SHOPPERS

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:37-04:00 September 2nd, 2011|Categories: food|Tags: , , , |


Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Aquafresh toothpaste-$2.27

There is no sugar coating it; the cost of gas is expensive everywhere. Currently, super gasoline costs a whopping $5 a gallon which makes filling our SUV a budget crunching $85. We all complain about the gas prices here so in order to save money, many gringos try to come up with different ideas to conserve gas.

For example, you will find most expats doing all their errands in one day. If you see Mrs. Cunningham at the bank, just say hello and don’t chat for too long. She is most likely on her way to get her driver’s license renewed, followed by a medical checkup, then off to pick up a friend at the airport. (more…)

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THE UPSIDE TO A DOWN MARKET

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:37-04:00 August 29th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: , |

Costa Rica Cost of Living Update: Head of broccoli- 60 cents

There is an upside to a down market. When the boom hit, you couldn’t go a mile without seeing a cement truck kick up dust along the dirt roads. It was an exciting time, an unrealistic time, and just like in the states, it changed overnight.

My first impression was the results would be devastating. But after the dust settled—literally—it became clear why I chose this country in the first place. The decrease in construction allowed a window of opportunity for wildlife to return. They’re smarter than us; they won’t live near the deafening sounds of jackhammers.

So as I’m planning on building my home, I’ll give more consideration to my new furry friends. I will show them tile samples, perhaps consult their opinions concerning where to plant a banana tree, but more importantly, promise them that I will not build a 10 bedroom McMansion. I will not be selfish…my window of opportunity includes them as well.

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