Sticker Shock

Well, I set off to the grocery store on Day 1, as we had absolutely nothing here (good thing I swiped that roll of toliet paper from the St. Regis :))  I walked 15 minutes to my closest grocer, Tanglin Market, and was pleasantly surprised with the incredible selection of food, fresh produce, meats, seafood and all of the other boxed brands that I know and love.  I was giddy!  Can I really get Coffee Mate Hazelnut creamer, Special K cereal, Organic Valley milk, Doritos, pre-washed baby carrots, ranch dressing, etc., HERE, on the other side of the world?? I couldn't believe it!

I thought I had hit the jackpot, til I realized that you basically need to hit the jackpot to buy any of these items!  The prices are CRAZY!  1, Singapore is a big city, so prices are naturally higher, 2, it's an island with no natural resources (farms, land, etc), so EVERYTHING has to be imported.  Food and drink is at least double or triple the price.  You can shop cheaper at some of the ethnic grocers, but I, like apparently every other expat, will pay the price for familiarity.  So it goes, I can't step foot in the store without easily dropping $100 on just 1-2 small bags of groceries.  Only positive, if you spend $150, they will deliver to your doorstep for free.

I'll tell you what, we're not wasting food and I about had a coronary when Sam spilled a glass of $15 OJ on the floor. Oh and that Coffee Mate creamer I was so excited about, haven't bought it yet as I haven't yet stomached the $16 price tag for a teeny tiny bottle.