groceries – Happier Than A Billionaire

EATING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:25-04:00 September 19th, 2013|Categories: Cost of Living, food|Tags: groceries, produce|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Produce Bill for the Week—$18

When not smashing his scooter or getting stitches, my husband joins me grocery shopping. This is our score for the week: eighteen dollars’ worth of fresh produce.

It’s easy to see that the food in Costa Rica is affordable if you choose healthier options. You’re going to pay a lot more if you buy Trix Cereal, Doritos, or any other imported American products. I love that I’m enjoying a healthy lifestyle while sticking to my budget.

And you’ll save even more money by loading it all on your fuel efficient scooter. That’s if you don’t factor in the medical bills after your husband smashes it—and his hand—into a ditch. But even that was a bargain.

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DO YOU HAVE A TWENTY?

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:32-04:00 May 5th, 2012|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: fruit, groceries, vegetables|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: One week’s worth of produce—$19.68

This is what we brought home today. A week’s worth of produce for under $20. We will use the vegetables to make plenty of homemade stir fry dishes. The mangos and the big bag of oranges will be our fruit for the week.

For another dollar, we could have bought a pineapple but they were a little too green. I like them when they are more yellow. If you catch them at the right time, they are so sweet they taste like Jolly Ranchers.

I feel good eating this way. Now that my diet is full of fruits and vegetables, I feel younger. Furthermore, when I feel younger I start to believe I look younger.

And to think… I did that without any Botox.

(Remember to follow me at https://www.facebook.com/happierthanabillionaire where I post new pictures everyday!)

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THE LORD OF THE BAGELS

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:35-04:00 December 7th, 2011|Categories: food|Tags: bagels, food, groceries|

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Half a dozen bagels- $5.25

I’ve found them…bagels. No it can’t be, I say to myself. But the closer I get, I quickly realize all my Costa Rican dreams have come true.

I grab them and huddle in a corner. Myyy Preciousss, I repeat over and over again as others reach over me for coffee filters. I’m lost in a carbohydrate trance.

Rob takes them out of my hands. “These are hard as a rock, are you sure you want them? You might need a trip to the dentist after eating one. I’m going to put them back. Let’s get the five dollar can of whipped cream instead.”

We never bought the bagels, but I know where they are. Yesss, my precious is waiting for me, but let me find a good dentist first.

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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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SAVVY SCOOTER SHOPPERS

By Nadine Hays Pisani| 2018-04-15T18:19:37-04:00 September 2nd, 2011|Categories: food|Tags: gas, groceries, produce, scooter|

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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EATING GOOD IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: Produce Bill for the Week—$18

DO YOU HAVE A TWENTY?

THE LORD OF THE BAGELS

LIVING IT UP IN COSTA RICA

SAVVY SCOOTER SHOPPERS

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

Join us in Costa Rica