Cost of living?

i guess when considering the cost of living, you must also take into consideration the food waste because fresh vegis and produce do not last as long as stateside. milk goes bad quicker, bread molds faster , dry goods go bad faster, sometimes even pasta has to be thrown out due to bugs getting in them even though they are in plastic bags. and jello goes bad fast too.

i guess when considering the cost of living, you must also take into consideration the food waste because fresh vegis and produce do not last as long as stateside. milk goes bad quicker, bread molds faster , dry goods go bad faster, sometimes even pasta has to be thrown out due to bugs getting in them even though they are in plastic bags. and jello goes bad fast too.

Much trial and error goes into even beginning to perfect the art of home-packing bulk items. When I lived on the South side and "country" on STT I learned lots of tricks there (freezing your bread is pretty much of a given wherever you are) but now I'm on the North side which is much wetter I divvy up my spices and suchlike into ziplock freezer bags and store them there accordingly so they don't "must out". I buy gallons of milk when they're on sale and likewise keep only on hand in the 'fridge what I'll use for the next week and freeze the rest in quart containers. Fresh veggies last beautifully in the 'fridge in "green bags". I can rarely find them on island so get them online. I double-bag pasta, keep grains in tight containers, keep coffee in the freezer.

Coffee in the freezer dries out the oils. I wouldn't do that. Just keep it room temp

I did not see where anyone implied you were stupid. But few people are experts at everything and if you are running your pool pump 10 hours per day then you might not be quite the pool guru you think you are. While there are situations where it might be required, such as having an undersized filter for the size of the pool, I have yet to see a pool where 4 or 5 hours a day pump run time was not adequate. But I have never seen your pool so maybe you are the exception. A general rule of thumb is that a 3/4 horsepower pool pump will use roughly 1 kilowatt of power per hour, which at our current WAPA rate is about 51 cents per hour. So running a pool pump an extra 5 hours per day adds about $80 to your monthly electric bill - certainly not a huge amount if you are financially comfortable but equivalent to a dinner out each month.

Be prepared to do without:
O.J $20.00 gal.
Milk $12.00 gal.
Breyers Ice Cream 1/2 gal. $11.00
Cold cereal $9.00 to $10.00 box depending.
POS car you wouldn't pay $1000.00 for where you are now. About $4000.00 here.
Electric 5x what you pay now.

This is just for starters.

Lol!!!!
I find 99% of that completely untrue. Where in the hell are u buying OJ for $20?????????? We love OJ and have to have it... find it for $8 a gallon at CUL. Milk $8 also but regularly see it on sale for $5-6 at Plaza. I remember in FL we stayed for a couple weeks once and OJ was MORE there than it is here! Couldn't believe it. I will NOT disagree that food is a little more here but I dont think its nearly as bad as some make it to be. And I love cheese, ice cream and craft beers LOL - 3 super expensive things.

I know I wanted NUMBERS when I was moving here last January. Here are REAL numbers from me as I just paid all my bills this week and did a big shopping trip lol. ***DISCLAIMER**** these are just MY NUMBERS. Normal couple limin on da rock. We dont limit ourselves to anything really. If I want ice cream for $10 or that rare microbrew for $10 a bottle - Im getting it. We don't go nuts and do watch our money but don't live like were poor either. Frugal yet not??? lol Cant describe it I guess. Boyfriend makes decent $$ I make very little... under $10k this year I'm sure. We like to cook at home but like to go out and splurge too. Get massages once every few months or so or take flights over to STX or boat trips to BVI's to see friends.

No kids - boyfriend (32) works days I (33) work from home and have a part time job 2 days a week - busy season much more.
WARNING - Im gonna get REAL detailed lol.

>>Rent: $1400.00 2 Bedroom 2 bath - about 900 sq ft I think. Northside STT

>>Electric bill $140.00 month.
No AC
Washer and Dryer are electric - usually done once a week sometimes twice.
2 60w Lights on from about 6pm to about 2am. (I'm a night owl)
2 fans in both bedrooms run 24/7
1 Fan in livingroom running 6 hr day.
Wireless router using Choice Internet running 24/7
TV Usually running in the background for at least 6 hours a day. Less in Busy season as I work more.
Dish Network Receiver running 24/7 to record stuff
I use the computer for at least 6 hours a day and charge it twice throughout the day along with 2 cell and 1 iPad charger used daily.
We only have a refrigerator that runs all day. No other major appliances - no microwave or dish washer.
Coffee maker, toaster and "nutribullet" blender thing we use usually once a day if even that.
No vacuum cleaner
Gas Stove

>>Dish Network $70.00 month
120 channels with HBO SHO and the Red Zone
Sent from my iPhone

>>Choice Internet $50.00
I think its like 80GB of data. Ive gotten close but never over as I am a web and graphic designer and upload/download huge files.

>>Gasoline - $80 month per car.
I drive a 97 Honda CRV that has 50K miles and I paid $4,000 for. Great car. Love it. Bought it from a board member in STJ.
Boyfriend drives a 00 suzuki sidekick paid $2500 and spends about the same in gas - maybe more he drives it a lot.

>>Car maintenance $250-$400 yr. (Depending on your car)
I have had an oil change, new brakes and rotors put on. I think you need brakes and rotors at least once a year here... maybe twice? STX Less I'm guessing.

>>Gas for stove $99.00 for 7 months $30 for grilling tank once every 4 months-ish - We grill A LOT.
Last large tank lasted us 7 months. Boyfriend left the burner on one night (yikes) so maybe more like 8 months lol.

>>Bars/going out $$$ A LOT!!!! We like to go out and have a good time. We can EASILY spend $60-80 on dinner and drinks in one night. Sometimes $60 just on drinks LOL!!! I "grounded" myself for the next two week as we had company from AZ and I went out and spent WAY to much money lol. On average I spend about $50 a week on going out to bars or having lunch somewhere. Hull Bay Hideaway get most of my $$$ ;D Damn those fish tacos and O-Bombs!!!!!! In my personal opinion this is what can break you - eating out here in STT is freaking expensive but there are some gems like Greengos and Off the Grid BBQ (WHICH RE-OPENS TOMORROW!!!! WAHOOOOOO!!!)

>>Water $0.00 on cistern

>>Car Insurance $240 a year.

>>Cell Phones $177 month (ATT unlimited everything - Same price in the states)

>>Furniture / kitchen and hurricane supplies to get started $2k if renting unfurnished

>>Groceries $300-$350 month
Here is what I just bought for $175.00 all at Cost U Less - It filled my fridge completely. I wish I had the receipt I would have scanned it in. I will put what I can remember for pricing.

Steak - nice & big but thin-ish enough for 2 $5
4 Thick Pork Chops $5
2 Large pieces of wild salmon $9
1 lb Lean ground beef $?
2 lbs of bacon $8
Large bag of frozen chicken breasts $20
4 medium heads of broccoli
Box of chicken broth $4
Bag of 10 large flour tortillas $2.50
Container of shredded parmesean cheese $5?
Bag of spinach $6
2lbs of carrots $2
giant bunch of collard greens $2
2 bunches of Kale $5
Good Hamburger Buns $?
1lb bag of smoked ham $5?
3lb tub of cottage cheese $10 (cant live without it lol)
Jar of Mayo
2 red bell peppers $4
2 Green Bell peppers $2
Bag of Gala Apples $6
Bag of Oranges $?
Bag of potatoes $4
Bunch of celery
large bag of black grapes
2 giant Zucchini $?
4lbs of tomatoes
1 Purple and 1 White onion $?
Economy size box of herbed crackers
Jar of lassen pickles.
Gallon of OJ I think it was $7
3 boxes of Ceres Juices $2ea (these are so good - use them in my smoothies)
Large container of 2% plain yogurt
Bag of Muesli $5

Im sure there is more thats all I can remember. We buy more veggies than most because I have a nutribullet and make smoothes every day sometimes twice a day, so they rarely go bad and if they look like they are going to go - into the the bullet they go.

Hopefully my anal retentive-ness helped.

I totally agree with JE about how long you are running our pool pump! Way, way too long. My husband is a Certified Pool Tech. Our last house had a huge pool and we only ran pump 5-6 hpd. Our new house has much smaller pool and we only run it 3-4 hpd. Largest bill I ever had in old house was our first bill for 34 days and it was less than five. They had set the pool pump to run longer and we calculated the volume and reduced accordingly.

We had large, very large pool, electric stove/oven, washer/dryer, 2 large hot water heaters, 9 ceiling fans, pump for running water and about 30 lights on from dusk to dawn (all LED.). Our normal bill was around $300.00! Even though we had 7 wall AC units, I never turned them on.

Reduce that pool pump running time and you will save a ton of money!!!

Accidental double post.

Guys, please move this discussion back on topic - sharing your cost of living. If you want to keep discussing our pool, so be it, but I'm not following any longer. I appreciate the advice, but it's not needed and we're very happy with how we manage our pool, it's our choice, and we're fine with it. Thanks.

AandA how long does all that produce last you. we cant get ours to last usually more than a week.

And haven't you had to buy tires at all yet

Be prepared to do without:
O.J $20.00 gal.
Milk $12.00 gal.
Breyers Ice Cream 1/2 gal. $11.00
Cold cereal $9.00 to $10.00 box depending.
POS car you wouldn't pay $1000.00 for where you are now. About $4000.00 here.
Electric 5x what you pay now.

This is just for starters.

Lol!!!!
I find 99% of that completely untrue. Where in the hell are u buying OJ for $20?????????? We love OJ and have to have it... find it for $8 a gallon at CUL. Milk $8 also but regularly see it on sale for $5-6 at Plaza. I remember in FL we stayed for a couple weeks once and OJ was MORE there than it is here! Couldn't believe it. I will NOT disagree that food is a little more here but I dont think its nearly as bad as some make it to be. And I love cheese, ice cream and craft beers LOL - 3 super expensive things.

I know I wanted NUMBERS when I was moving here last January. Here are REAL numbers from me as I just paid all my bills this week and did a big shopping trip lol. ***DISCLAIMER**** these are just MY NUMBERS. Normal couple limin on da rock. We dont limit ourselves to anything really. If I want ice cream for $10 or that rare microbrew for $10 a bottle - Im getting it. We don't go nuts and do watch our money but don't live like were poor either. Frugal yet not??? lol Cant describe it I guess. Boyfriend makes decent $$ I make very little... under $10k this year I'm sure. We like to cook at home but like to go out and splurge too. Get massages once every few months or so or take flights over to STX or boat trips to BVI's to see friends.

No kids - boyfriend (32) works days I (33) work from home and have a part time job 2 days a week - busy season much more.
WARNING - Im gonna get REAL detailed lol.

>>Rent: $1400.00 2 Bedroom 2 bath - about 900 sq ft I think. Northside STT

>>Electric bill $140.00 month.
No AC
Washer and Dryer are electric - usually done once a week sometimes twice.
2 60w Lights on from about 6pm to about 2am. (I'm a night owl)
2 fans in both bedrooms run 24/7
1 Fan in livingroom running 6 hr day.
Wireless router using Choice Internet running 24/7
TV Usually running in the background for at least 6 hours a day. Less in Busy season as I work more.
Dish Network Receiver running 24/7 to record stuff
I use the computer for at least 6 hours a day and charge it twice throughout the day along with 2 cell and 1 iPad charger used daily.
We only have a refrigerator that runs all day. No other major appliances - no microwave or dish washer.
Coffee maker, toaster and "nutribullet" blender thing we use usually once a day if even that.
No vacuum cleaner
Gas Stove

>>Dish Network $70.00 month
120 channels with HBO SHO and the Red Zone
Sent from my iPhone

>>Choice Internet $50.00
I think its like 80GB of data. Ive gotten close but never over as I am a web and graphic designer and upload/download huge files.

>>Gasoline - $80 month per car.
I drive a 97 Honda CRV that has 50K miles and I paid $4,000 for. Great car. Love it. Bought it from a board member in STJ.
Boyfriend drives a 00 suzuki sidekick paid $2500 and spends about the same in gas - maybe more he drives it a lot.

>>Car maintenance $250-$400 yr. (Depending on your car)
I have had an oil change, new brakes and rotors put on. I think you need brakes and rotors at least once a year here... maybe twice? STX Less I'm guessing.

>>Gas for stove $99.00 for 7 months $30 for grilling tank once every 4 months-ish - We grill A LOT.
Last large tank lasted us 7 months. Boyfriend left the burner on one night (yikes) so maybe more like 8 months lol.

>>Bars/going out $$$ A LOT!!!! We like to go out and have a good time. We can EASILY spend $60-80 on dinner and drinks in one night. Sometimes $60 just on drinks LOL!!! I "grounded" myself for the next two week as we had company from AZ and I went out and spent WAY to much money lol. On average I spend about $50 a week on going out to bars or having lunch somewhere. Hull Bay Hideaway get most of my $$$ ;D Damn those fish tacos and O-Bombs!!!!!! In my personal opinion this is what can break you - eating out here in STT is freaking expensive but there are some gems like Greengos and Off the Grid BBQ (WHICH RE-OPENS TOMORROW!!!! WAHOOOOOO!!!)

>>Water $0.00 on cistern

>>Car Insurance $240 a year.

>>Cell Phones $177 month (ATT unlimited everything - Same price in the states)

>>Furniture / kitchen and hurricane supplies to get started $2k if renting unfurnished

>>Groceries $300-$350 month
Here is what I just bought for $175.00 all at Cost U Less - It filled my fridge completely. I wish I had the receipt I would have scanned it in. I will put what I can remember for pricing.

Steak - nice & big but thin-ish enough for 2 $5
4 Thick Pork Chops $5
2 Large pieces of wild salmon $9
1 lb Lean ground beef $?
2 lbs of bacon $8
Large bag of frozen chicken breasts $20
4 medium heads of broccoli
Box of chicken broth $4
Bag of 10 large flour tortillas $2.50
Container of shredded parmesean cheese $5?
Bag of spinach $6
2lbs of carrots $2
giant bunch of collard greens $2
2 bunches of Kale $5
Good Hamburger Buns $?
1lb bag of smoked ham $5?
3lb tub of cottage cheese $10 (cant live without it lol)
Jar of Mayo
2 red bell peppers $4
2 Green Bell peppers $2
Bag of Gala Apples $6
Bag of Oranges $?
Bag of potatoes $4
Bunch of celery
large bag of black grapes
2 giant Zucchini $?
4lbs of tomatoes
1 Purple and 1 White onion $?
Economy size box of herbed crackers
Jar of lassen pickles.
Gallon of OJ I think it was $7
3 boxes of Ceres Juices $2ea (these are so good - use them in my smoothies)
Large container of 2% plain yogurt
Bag of Muesli $5

Im sure there is more thats all I can remember. We buy more veggies than most because I have a nutribullet and make smoothes every day sometimes twice a day, so they rarely go bad and if they look like they are going to go - into the the bullet they go.

Hopefully my anal retentive-ness helped.

WOW, you can't get much more in depth than this.

Pueblo. That's where the hell. Never said I bought it either.

One really has to shop around as the same items can have totally different prices at different stores.
I have been finding that many items that Cost You More stocks are cheaper at Pricesmart but then can't get some brands I prefer there
so back to CYM. Pueblo has sometimes good prices but find them overall more expensive but at least you can buy 1 can instead of a 6 pack. Great selection at grocery store out by the boatyard on east end/STT but way pricey.

Pueblo has a gallon of milk for $4.99 on Stt on a daily basis. Not a sale.

I never buy cereal or O.J. at Pueblo.

I do check out their weekly sales and they had whole watermelons on sale for $.49/lb. I thought that was a deal as Plaza Extra is advertising $.79/lb.

Plaza Extra, CUL, PriceSmart, is less expensive than Pueblo, but sometimes you can find some sales at Pueblo one might be interested in.

One must do comparison shopping on island as Exit Zero, in so many words, said in a previous post.

Edit to add Exit Zero's quote:
("Some judicious grocery shopping can make a big difference - the breakfast cereal I buy at Costuless is almost half the cost of the same product at Pueblo - on occasion even ice cream is on sale at acceptable prices - fruit and vegetable prices vary greatly at different locations and days - it is well worth watching the weekly sales at all the grocery stores, adjusting your shopping habits takes some effort and creativity in menu choices but is necessary if you are trying to control food costs.")

AandA how long does all that produce last you. we cant get ours to last usually more than a week.

And haven't you had to buy tires at all yet

OH yes!! Tires! My bad - 3 @70 each. Damn flats.

My veggies last 2-3 weeks mostly. One day after I put all the groceries away I noticed that my gallon of water had leaked into the crisper. That gave me an idea. I keep the crisper filled about 1/2inch of water and prop all my veggies up and keep their stems in the water..... like lettuce, kale, celery, bok choy, green onions, cilantro, sprouts in the container and the similar. Seems to add a week onto keep time. Never really have to change the water either - the veggies usually suck it up so I add more. I clean it out once a month maybe. Kinda weird lol but works so far. Looks like a little hydroponic garden in there.

I also never keep fruits near the veggies. The gasses will ruin each other.

RE: comparason shopping... personally I did that the first couple months and just found it annoying. Cot U Less has mostly everythng I need and my boyfriend would stop intop Kmart on his lunch or something for one off things.

I am just like that - I would rather pay $20 more (which is likely all that is being saved) vs driving to two or three stores.

I keep the crisper filled about 1/2inch of water and prop all my veggies up and keep their stems in the water.....

I also never keep fruits near the veggies.

"Green bags" for everything! They were a mainstay at my restaurant and have remained so at home for all my fruits and veggies. I buy them online and they're reusable many, many times over. Can't imagine being without them!

our electric is about 200-250. i am going to az the end of this month and going to safeway and other grocery stores and take photos of items that we normally buy here to compare. should be very interesting?

food for us a month here is about 400+

cable is about 100

broadband 50

cell 200

my mom told me that a lady at the bank came from P R and the cost of living stateside is about a third.

you can rent houses there for about 750 apartments for 500 and in laughlin nv you can rent an apartment for about 300
rents in the panhandle are about 500 for a house

Speee1dy, not to be mean, but I got a good laugh about the cost of rent. I'm sure you can find a place in Laughlin, NV for $300, but the old saying "location, location, location " really applies here. I've been trying to help someone find a place in Boulder City, NV and a one bedroom is about $640/ month.

ah, the place of fdls. i went to a really great arts/crafts show there once. it was really nice. Hey, I was just saying. lol. But there are casinos there. I will probably be heading up to Laughlin in a couple of weeks for a gamble since I am not allowed to do that here.

AandA, thanks for the info on how you get it to stay fresh so long. Since I will probably not do that, I will see if I can find some green bags when I go to the states next week.

Lettuce and celery seem to go the fastest for us. Dont forget to plant you celery end, you should be able to get another stalk of celery from it

AandA, thanks for the info on how you get it to stay fresh so long. Since I will probably not do that, I will see if I can find some green bags when I go to the states next week.

Lettuce and celery seem to go the fastest for us. Dont forget to plant you celery end, you should be able to get another stalk of celery from it

I've always used the green bags with great success. They're a bit of a pain to wash out, but if you hang them up with clips to dry they work well and can be used over and over.

I've never tried AandA's water method, I'm really curious! I bet that looks like a garden growing in the fridge, which is appealing. 😀

Tupperware makes a line of "fridge smart" containers that really work.

Speee1dy, try traveling about an 1 1/2 north to the Mecca of gaming. Better product, more choices. Just say in'.

lol, if i were to move to az i would live in havasu. mom is there.

Add $1,000.00 in repairs to my car front end suspension stuff AND two new tires $160 from the front end stuff ruining them. SMH. Ride like a cloud now.. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.

lol AandA, as long as it lasts you will

Greenbags are wonderful. my mom gave me a package when i went to visit her. i also found the can be had on drugstore..com. i will continue to use them

Why were you banned?

i am only banned because i work there