People often ask me if it is expensive to live in America, especially food wise.
Well in my experience clothes and by that I mean quality is cheap compared to SA where I can buy Levi's or Warngler (I wear Wrangler for the cut) Jean's for usd 22 a pair.
When I got back I needed 2 fleece lined cargo pants (1 jean and 1 camo of sort and both Wrangler) and they were on closeout because of season change (soon) for usd 15 a piece. R450 for 2 x high quality robust working man long trousers.
On the contrary I swpen 370 usd for all my groceries to be at a comfy level for a couple of weeks. From now on I'll maintain this at a cost of about usd 100 to 120 a week.
There are however bargains to be had, but you got to be wakeup and know where to find it. I often buy a packet of pork at less than 2usd a pound (huge bargain because the cheapest beef steaks are starting off at 9usd a pound, roughly R280 per kilogram.
This pork I always make some nice stew with and it lasts 3 days.
However, the secret is to learn not to compare (we are only human
) and know that you earn in dollar and buy in dollar.
Therefore I have this 'per hour income' thing and I will look at something or at my weekly groceries and say; well this is only 6 hours income and yes I can afford that because I earned 9 hours overtime while loading a train...just an example.
I believe at some stage one will think of this less often as you get familiar with the asking price and will turn away less often from something on offer in the stores if that makes sense at all
Topic: A Strong Back: The Adventures of Tom Mc Sherry (Read 512014 times)
