What's that one thing ?

What is a an average number of trips to Puerto Rico per year might a family make to shop? Considering the family has children that travel well and enough income.

Good suggestion ms411, on the list of items for sure, probably get a few of them as my generator will take 6.5 gallons each re-fill and run for about 8 hrs at 1/2 load.

Thx Alana33, those are great items to bring, although for me that will have to be for future return trips, as I’m gonna have my hands full with my dog during this initial move and am not even checking any luggage (luggage set instead will all be filled with other items and then placed in shipping container). For this initial trip, I’m just boarding with my backpack as my carry-on, lol.

What is a an average number of trips to Puerto Rico per year might a family make to shop? Considering the family has children that travel well and enough income.

When our kids were in school on STX, we used to go to Puerto Rico at least twice a year. Generally, once in the summer to get cloths and such and once in December for Christmas shopping. We loved going to Puerto Rico and would stay at the old Radisson on the Condado or the Hyatt Place in Bayamon. While there, we'd go to Outback, Olive Garden and other restaurants that we missed from the mainland. We haven't been lately due the damage from the storm but will be back there soon.

One thing I do not miss is chain restaurant food. I avoid them even on a trip stateside.
(Your results may vary)

What is a an average number of trips to Puerto Rico per year might a family make to shop? Considering the family has children that travel well and enough income.

I have never gone to PR to shop. I guess some do, not sure since the storms. If you have enough income, you'll probably just mail-order stuff (Amazon, etc.) and go "home" occasionally.

The only time I went to PR after living there for a few years was when one of my pups needed orthopedic surgery.

One thing you will find is not every online retailer ships to VI nor a P.O Box.

If you're paying for shipping and they ship FedEx, UPS instead of USPS, you'll be in for a rude awakening at the cost.

You can usually get free shipping to a stateside address if you have family/friends that will re-mail to you.

You can usually get free shipping to a stateside address if you have family/friends that will re-mail to you.

Or free shipping to a freight forwarder is FL then ship to STX on the boat. The cost is reasonable.

What is a an average number of trips to Puerto Rico per year might a family make to shop? Considering the family has children that travel well and enough income.

Most stuff can be bought online, but some people prefer to shop in person, and going to PR allows a combination shopping/mini-vacation for them. Like EE, my family has never done this. Anything I can't order, which is less and less all the time, I get when I go stateside.

What is a an average number of trips to Puerto Rico per year might a family make to shop? Considering the family has children that travel well and enough income.

When our kids were in school on STX, we used to go to Puerto Rico at least twice a year. Generally, once in the summer to get cloths and such and once in December for Christmas shopping. We loved going to Puerto Rico and would stay at the old Radisson on the Condado or the Hyatt Place in Bayamon. While there, we'd go to Outback, Olive Garden and other restaurants that we missed from the mainland. We haven't been lately due the damage from the storm but will be back there soon.

That sounds doable. Thank you for your input. I live in a 4 season climate now and buying clothes, etc. year round makes me insane. I have loved living in places with one/two seasons and actually letting kids grow out of their clothes instead of having to buy new every three months. Twice a year seems just right for big shopping.

The only time I went to PR after living there for a few years was when one of my pups needed orthopedic surgery.

One thing you will find is not every online retailer ships to VI nor a P.O Box.

If you're paying for shipping and they ship FedEx, UPS instead of USPS, you'll be in for a rude awakening at the cost.

You can usually get free shipping to a stateside address if you have family/friends that will re-mail to you.

I have read about the USPS vs FedEx/UPS price gouge before. Thank you for mentioning it. I currently am the family member my in-laws in Sweden use as a mailer go between person so I am familiar with that option. It makes me crazy but maybe it will be my turn to make someone else in the family crazy 🙂 Can't go with out cruelty free, organic toe nail polish! JK But toilet paper might be a nice thing for family to send.

The only time I went to PR after living there for a few years was when one of my pups needed orthopedic surgery.

One thing you will find is not every online retailer ships to VI nor a P.O Box.

If you're paying for shipping and they ship FedEx, UPS instead of USPS, you'll be in for a rude awakening at the cost.

You can usually get free shipping to a stateside address if you have family/friends that will re-mail to you.

I have read about the USPS vs FedEx/UPS price gouge before. Thank you for mentioning it. I currently am the family member my in-laws in Sweden use as a mailer go between person so I am familiar with that option. It makes me crazy but maybe it will be my turn to make someone else in the family crazy 🙂 Can't go with out cruelty free, organic toe nail polish! JK But toilet paper might be a nice thing for family to send.

It's not so much a price gouge, for USPS the VI is domestic and postal rates are no different than anywhere else in the US. i.e. mail a package to Hawaii is the same price as across town.

For FEDEX/UPS we are international and international rates and customs paperwork applies. For some reason FEDEX and UPS ground just don't deliver here:D

I’m gonna go to my local UPS Store that I deal with here in Florida today, just for kicks, and see what they will charge to send one of my guitars to MailStop in Crown Bay Marina. I know that the most recent stringed instrument, a banjo that I received (from a seller in Canada) would have been considered international and his cost to ship, not including insurance, was $144 Canadian ($111 US). Now of course that was UPS ground instead of air, so what do we think, maybe $500 to the islands? Distances are about the same, 1,300 miles. We’ll see! Prolly still less expense than buying an extra seat on the airplane, hopefully, cuz that would be my breakeven decision.

I get things sent here by FedEx through Road Runner Sports and Keurig for free (well, I'm a premium member or whatever they call it). I ordered some stuff on the 6th and received it the 8th. I'm gathering someone in accounting doesn't look at the extra charges. 😉

It is a hit or miss whether someone sends here. L.L. Bean sends with free shipping. I know we had a thread about this in the past. Some companies act as though we were in Siberia.

We’re going to contract on a condo, inspection is tomorrow. All the appliances are crap and since we want to rent it out (through a broker/manager) for a year before we can come down full time, we are buying new appliances on STX. So far we’ve been to Carlos. Any other cheap options for new stuff?

We've done OK with appliances from Carlos. Royal usually has a few also. You can certainly price shop HD, they may have some deals on 4th of July sale coming up. You may be able to negotiate your own deal at HD for a complete kitchen and may have better luck there getting everything to match.

Also Sears Appliance if they are open yet.