Does It Exist In Spain?

It's good to see you around, Jonni! Hope you're well... 

Great link, by the way. That looks like a solid lead for observador... 

 

As a MEPSYD hopeful for the 2009-10 school year, I'm already adapting to a more frugal lifestyle in an effort to save/prepare to stretch 700 euros per month.

Are there stores that are notoriously cheap/expensive? I have experience w/ El Corte Ingles and know that it is just as convenient as it is expensive...at least in Vigo. Is Alcampo competitive? I've only really seen VIPS in Madrid, but that's pretty expensive too, right?

Basically, I'm not looking for a product in particular just yet...just a place that is affordable to shop at. Just so you get an idea, I've been able to comfortably make $80 grocery bills last 2-3 weeks. Any suggestions?

[euros]

As a MEPSYD hopeful for the 2009-10 school year, I'm already adapting to a more frugal lifestyle in an effort to save/prepare to stretch 700 euros per month.

Are there stores that are notoriously cheap/expensive? I have experience w/ El Corte Ingles and know that it is just as convenient as it is expensive...at least in Vigo. Is Alcampo competitive? I've only really seen VIPS in Madrid, but that's pretty expensive too, right?

Basically, I'm not looking for a product in particular just yet...just a place that is affordable to shop at. Just so you get an idea, I've been able to comfortably make $80 grocery bills last 2-3 weeks. Any suggestions?

Look for a supermarket chain called "DIA". They are a low-cost supermarket chain that is in Madrid, so they probably have locations in other parts of the country. Also you might be able to get a free lunch (or pay a small fee) to get lunch at your school. That really depends on the school though but it's something to remember to ask them about.

If there is any particular product that is a "must have" for you (like contact lens solution, peanut butter, protein bars, etc.) stock up and bring it with you to Spain. You'll at least save a little bit of money that way since many of the "must have" items for some Americans are things that are either a). not widely available in Spain or b). cost more than what you'd pay for it in the U.S. My favorite example is contact lens solution. $2 at Wal-Mart in the U.S., 11 euros in Madrid. BIG difference.

Hi Brandon,

Beckett has made some good suggestions. I'd also like to add LIDL as a recommendation. It is a hard discount store and it's prices, quite often, are often lower than DIA. The main difference is that DIA carries more well known national brands than LIDL. However the meat section at LIDL is really decent.

I recently sliced my weekly shopping bill in half simply by changing supermarkets and buying more store brand products. We now do our shopping at Ahorramas and spend about 65€ a week for a family of three. The biggest expense on that list is the 12 liters of milk that we buy each week.

Other than that, I would recommend Mercadona. Their store brand, Hacendado, is high quality and very reasonable in price. Beckett, what brand of contact lens solution do you use? I have always been a B&L Renu user, but have recently switched to the brand carried in Mercadona. After checking the ingredients list and finding it to be essentially the same, I gave it a try and have since switched. Price difference? B&L 11€ and Mercadona 5€.

For those of you who are big on specific brands but want to be cost conscious, check out the following blog: http://www.jorgegonzalez.com/listado-de-marcas-blancas/. There is a list of the major national brands that manufacture products for various store brands.

Happy shopping!
 :)Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,
I wear soft lenses. I'm not partial to any brand, that's why I buy the Wal-Mart $2 brand when I go to the States. 

Thanks for the tips! I'll definitely take both stores into account...and I had no idea that Wal Mart sold contact solution for $2.

Mountain Dew!!!  i've seen it once in madrid and it was terrible (maybe it was old?)  has anyone seen it anywhere?