Job Discussion Forums

[emilymoore]

For instance, how much is (in USD):

Cable or satellite TV:

WiFi:

Toothpaste:

Dental cleaning:

Bottle of wine:

A pound of bananas:

A jar of peanut butter:

Loaf of bread:

Pound of pork chops:

Bag of flour:

Bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

Pack of generic cigarettes:

15" TV:



Is the BBC network available in Spain (or other British or American news channels)?

American or British radio available?

Will a U.S. Playstation 2 work in Spain, with an adaptor?

I sometimes wear expensive jewelry. Leave those pieces in the safe deposit box (if no insurance rider is available during international travel)?

What's a general percentage taken by a Spanish bank for a U.S. funds transfer?

Bring Traveller's Cheques or cash?

[Moore]

Cable or satellite TV: 49/month cable TV inlcuding 1 mega internet

WiFi:

Toothpaste: 2 euros

Dental cleaning: not a big European thing

Bottle of wine: 3 euros and up for very acceptable Rioja

A pound of bananas: (no idea how pounds work)

A jar of peanut butter: never seen it here, best bring some

Loaf of bread: 2 euros

Pound of pork chops: 4 medium size around 4 euros

Bag of flour: never use it

Bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 3 euros

Pack of generic cigarettes: 2 euros for cheapo, 2.80 for brands

15" TV: 100 euros


Probably should include some more useful categories...

Months rent in shared flat: 350 plus bills

Spirit plus mixer in bar: 6 euros

Months metro pass (Madrid, zone A): 35 euros-ish

Night in cheapo private room in hostal, no bath: 20 euros

Lunchtime restaurant menu (inc. wine): 10-12 euros

Evening meal with wine: 20 euros and up

Very small studio flat (Madrid): 600 euros/month

Averaged out shopping basket (Champion supermarket): roughly 1 euro per item

Mobile phone (pay as you go): 60 euros, usually inlcuding a bit of credit

Monthly mobile phone bill: around fifty euros (mine averages out at 120 though)

Can of Coke etc.: 80 cents

Bottle of beer ("Forty"): 1.20

Airline ticket to London (return): 100 euros if you look around



...anyone else want to add to the list?

[Spainish]

I'd have to say Moore's list is pretty accurate. Though there are still places to get lunch time "menu del dia" type meals for under 10 euros (typically being two courses, desert, bread and beverage of choice including beer or wine). Also, personally I spend about 15 euros tops per month on my pay-as-you-go phone (though I do much more messaging than calling... it works out cheaper).

I did want to add that you can indeed find peanut butter here, but not in your typical grocery stores. Though there is one "American" grocery store, called "Taste of America", it's a bit out of the way and I haven't been there myself. In general most asian cooking products shops (there are many around the center) carry brands like "Skippy" (crunchy and smooth!!!) but can run around 3 euros or more a jar. They also sometimes carry cheaper asian and dutch brands (such as "pindakaas"... not sure on spelling but its basically dutch for peanut butter) which run for around half the price.

Last time I bought bananas they were around 3 euros for a bunch (or would that be a bushel??) of 8 or so.

Keep in mind that many fruits and vegetables prices are based on seasonal changes and may sometimes be even cheaper or not available at all (though like in the states, the "major" grocery chains will likely always have what you are looking for).

A US play station 2 should definitely work here with the right adapter (a number of my electronics are from the states and work here just fine). I imagine that they are capable of switching for NTSC to PAL TV signals as well (that's something you should look more into rather than it's power requirements).

And flour is cheap... though I can't think of the price off the top of my head.

What you can't find here:

- Twinkies
- Butterfingers Candy Bars
- Taco Bell
- Parliament Cigarettes

BRING ME SOME PLEASE!!!!