Cost of Living – Page 5 – Happier Than A Billionaire

LIVING IT UP IN COSTA RICA

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:36-04:00 September 16th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: diswasher detergent, groceries|

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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THE UPSIDE TO A DOWN MARKET

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:37-04:00 August 29th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: building, real estate|

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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HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:37-04:00 August 23rd, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: happiness, phone|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Landline phone bill that includes excellent DSL internet service-$45

As I sit here watching two baby monkeys wrestle one another outside my window, it reminds me how lucky I am, how rich I feel. It doesn’t cost me a dime and can’t imagine how a material object can replace the feeling I have now. My life (ironically… with less possessions than ever), is so abundantly full I can’t think of anything I want. So it got me thinking…how much is enough?

Why would a billionaire—someone with all the resources to live a life of insane privilege—steal another couple million. For example, take Tyco. That CEO made over 100 million dollars a year but had the company pay for his extravagant lifestyle. And it wasn’t just private jets with cute flight attendants serving chocolate covered strawberries. He went the extra mile. He had the company pay for a $6,000 shower curtain and a $15,000 dog umbrella stand. But just when I thought this guy really knows how to live, for his wife’s birthday (disguised as a shareholders meeting) the party featured an ice sculpture of the Statue of David urinating Stolichnaya vodka. I can do without that umbrella stand, but a urinating ice sculpture is as close to heaven as you are going to get in my opinion. (more…)

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COSTA RICA HEALTH CARE: PART THREE…THE SURGERY

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:37-04:00 August 15th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living, Uncategorized|Tags: doctors, health care, surgery|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Hernia surgery-$0

On the day of admissions, we reported to an office and filled out paperwork. It lasted no more than 10 minutes. I was not sure if it was fast because that was the actual process or because we couldn’t understand anything.

We were directed to the emergency ward where Rob was instructed to go into a utility closet and change into a pair of scrubs. He walked out wearing an ill-fitting ensamble with numbers stamped across his chest. The pants were too short and the top didn’t even cover his navel. My husband looked less like a surgical patient but more like a gay prison inmate. (more…)

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AS REPORTED ON CNN

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:38-04:00 August 11th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: CNN|

I know you are all anxiously awating part three of Surgery in Costa Rica. I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you all for your kind words and support. And let you all know my story has just been posted by CNN.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/08/11/costa.rica.escape/index.html?iref=allsearch

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LIVING IT UP IN COSTA RICA

THE UPSIDE TO A DOWN MARKET

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH?

COSTA RICA HEALTH CARE: PART THREE…THE SURGERY

AS REPORTED ON CNN

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