We are back.

[VIOLET]

I agree, I find it strange that it is more expensive to buy meat and veg in the supermarket to cook than to go out to eat in one of the reasonable restaurants, personally like Outback and Olive Garden. Yummmy... then again Im not complaining any excuse not to cook - after all I am on holiday...

[Andrena]

Still at least grocery prices have not increased by 59% in 3 years as they have in the UK.
We spend several months at a time there and find that we spend very much less than we do in the UK. I am amazed how much I have saved by staying in Florida. It is nice to go home to a surplus in my current account. I transfer money from it via ex-trade to cover my normal expenditure and there is always money over when I get home again - I just can't wait to go back at the end of October, I will have extra money over for the Christmas food shop when I get home again the week before Christmas, whoopee!!
[clap][clap][clap]

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Andrena
Still at least grocery prices have not increased by 59% in 3 years as they have in the UK.
[/quote]Indeed!

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in ONE year to March 2010 food prices rose as follows:

Fresh & Dry vegetables +56.1%
Fresh Fruit & Melons +28.8%
Fresh Eggs for food use +33.6%
Pork +19.1%
Beef & Veal +10.7%
Dairy +9.7%

(and they have all increased every month since April 2010)

You're by no means the only one who is amazed by how much you saved when you're in Florida.[msnwink]

[Robert5988]

My 'American' brother(lived in the USA all his adult life) and his wife have been here visiting for 3 weeks. They were horrified at the price of petrol, but surprised how much cheaper groceries were in Sainsburys - the biggest exception being Diet Coke cans.

I really cannot understand how there is such a disparity of opinions about grocery prices on this Board. Every visitor to my place and other Brits I know comment on how much more expensive it is in Florida. Obviously Sterling being at around $1.50 doesn't help, but the same comments were being made when it was $2 to the pound.

[steph_goodrum]

I suspect those who have been frquent visitors will say it is expensive because it is more so than it used to be but those who are going for the fist time will stil think it is cheaper. Often the first shop seems expensive because there may be things that you need to buy a wholle box even though you may use very little of it. Thats why we always suggest to our guests that they go to a DOllar Tree or such for some of the items, such as washing up liquid they may buy. It's good enough for the job whilst away and cutting a third off the averag supermarket price on a few items like that helps.

[VIOLET]

Totally agree with Steph - Dollar Tree or any Dollar store for cleaning products is much cheaper than Walmart or the like - is also good for blow up pool toys and the like as well - which you can just throw away at the end of the holiday, got beach chairs there last trip, the fold out of a bag type for $6 each.... bargain.