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Moving to a new country comes with a lot of exciting firsts, and one of the most important adjustments is grocery shopping! We’ve been in El Salvador for just about three weeks now, and today, we set out to stock up on our weekly groceries while keeping a close eye on our budget. Since we’re still building our pantry from scratch, this trip looks a little different than a normal week’s worth of groceries, but we’re aiming to establish a sustainable shopping routine soon.
Starting From Scratch: Stocking the Pantry on a Budget
Unlike when you’ve lived in a place for years and already have staples like spices, sauces, and frozen meats, we’re starting fresh. That means we have to buy all the essentials while still keeping our spending in check. Our goal is to eventually get our weekly grocery bill down to around $125, but for now, we’re investing in must-have ingredients to build a well-rounded kitchen.
Shopping at the Most Convenient (and Pricey) Store
Right now, the most convenient grocery store for us is one of the more expensive chains, er Selectos—but it’s located right across the street from our temporary home, making it the easiest option. While we know that discount supermarkets and local markets offer lower prices, we’re prioritizing accessibility while we settle in. Once we move into our new home, we’ll have a discount grocery store nearby, which will help us reduce costs in the future.
Future Grocery Plans: Saving Money in El Salvador
We’re learning as we go, and soon, we’ll be able to take advantage of more cost-effective shopping options:
- Shopping at discount grocery stores closer to our new home
- Buying in bulk once we have the basics covered
- Visiting local markets for fresh produce and meats once we have a car
For now, we’re excited to share this journey with you as we explore the ins and outs of grocery shopping in El Salvador. If you’re planning a move or just curious about food costs here, stay tuned for more updates as we refine our shopping habits and stretch our budget further!
Check out our China Depot and Walmart Haul here!
Or our Pricesmart and EPA Haul here!
Have tips on grocery shopping in El Salvador? Let us know in the comments!
