When I travel, I love to shop for food and compare prices. I’m always looking for a good bargain and have a mental price list to help me figure out what’s cheap compared to home. For instance, tomatoes in Guatemala cost about $0.25 per pound, so it hurts to pay $1.99 for them elsewhere. However, cheese is quite pricey, especially imported varieties, and good cold cuts are hard to find. So, when I’m abroad, I tend to look for cheese, hams, and especially chocolate. Guatemalan chocolate has a unique taste, but to me, European chocolate is the best.
Today, I want to tell you about a cool infographic that Anne from Money Propeller created. It compares the price of a basket of goods around North America. The basket includes items like eggs, bread, cheese, butter, toothpaste, and toilet paper, costing between $27.70 and $41.60, and $40.76 in Guatemala. You might be surprised that Guatemala is close to the maximum price, but that’s because cheese, butter, and milk are expensive. We rarely consume butter or milk and only use powdered milk for some recipes. Eating cheese is a special treat. These dairy items make up 44% of the total price, while other things are quite cheap. For example, bananas cost $0.12 per pound, and you can get a whole watermelon for $0.60.
I wrote a post on Canadian Budget Binder about how I adapt my eating and grocery shopping habits to the country I’m in, helping me cut food costs while enjoying local delicacies. Here in Guatemala, that means plenty of guacamole, fresh fish, fruits, and very little dairy. That works just fine for me, as I can stock up on dairy at other times.
In the infographic below, you can compare the cost of a basket of goods across North America. Make sure to scroll down to the end, as Anne is giving away $250 cash! There’s a widget at the end with tasks you can complete for a chance to win. Good luck!
