LIVING IT UP IN COSTA RICA

Costa Rica Cost Of Living Update: 4.68 lb box of dishwasher detergent-you’ll have to read the story

“Honey, you’ve been working really hard and the book is selling, I think you should treat yourself to dishwasher detergent,” Rob says this morning.

I look at him as if he just reserved two first class tickets
to Australia. We don’t buy dishwasher detergent because it’s imported and…well…we want to have enough money to actually eat. The only place to buy this product is at the expensive grocery store in Tamarindo. A place I rarely go, but when I do, I walk the aisles with nostalgia as I pass the Pop Tarts and Keebler cookies. Those were good times, I say to myself.

Although Rob tries to convince me that this is a gift for my hard work,  I’m not fooled by his gesture.

It’s not uncommon for him to use every glass, mug, or bowl before 11 AM. You can easily find him drinking orange juice out of a sauce pan in the middle of the afternoon. As the towering pile of dishes crowd the sink, I’ve been known to express my discontent through thoughtful but accurate displays of hysterics. So, as you can see, it’s not for totally altruistic reasons my husband wants this detergent.

When I press him to wash a glass before reaching for another one, his eyes jut out of his head as if I asked him to scale Mt. Everest without a Sherpa or supplemental oxygen.

“It hurts my back when I try to do dishes,” he tells me as he benches another 200 pounds. Apparently, this horrible condition also affects his ability to pick up clothes off the floor or learn how to use the washing machine. I’m thinking about having a telethon.

“Let’s go to the store today and pick up some. I don’t even want you going in. Once you see the price you’ll never buy it,” Rob suggests.

We head out to the strip mall where Rob jumps out of the car and I wait in the parking lot. Tourists are happily gathered around stocking up on groceries. They talk about the many excursions they will do: zip lining through the forest, ATV tours, kayaking. It’s fun to live in a place where everyone is happy to be there.

Rob comes out and I rummage through the bags as we drive home. I not only find detergent but a few boxes of Pop Tarts. “Hey, I figured if we were blowing the budget we might as well go all the way,” he says.

Once home, I look in the bag and find the receipt.

Cascade Detergent-$12.

I’m about to reprimand Rob when he stops me. “Listen sweetie. I love you. I really do. But I will pay any amount…and I will go to any lengths…to buy that dishwasher detergent so you will stop nagging me all day.” With that declaration, he walks away with a flower vase filled with milk and a strawberry Pop Tart.

I now put all the dirty glasses in the dishwasher and carefully measure out the powder. I take precautions to never spill any or use too much. This is still a luxury, and no matter how many books I sell, I will never look at a dishwasher the same way again.

On the flip side, Rob’s never been happier.

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:36-04:00 September 16th, 2011|Categories: Cost of Living|Tags: , |31 Comments

About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

31 Comments

  1. Berta Paul December 7, 2011 at 10:39 pm - Reply

    Live it up sister! It does clump up quite a bit… even with rice in it, but seems to work reasonably well and is eco-friendly.

  2. Tom Duffy October 4, 2011 at 12:41 pm - Reply

    Cost of Living Update- Washington DC area Oct 1st.2011–Cascade Detergent
    6.86lb $6.15. Traffic and aggravation to go to the store- priceless!

    • admin October 4, 2011 at 11:50 pm - Reply

      Ok, that makes me feel a little better.

  3. Keith Burkhardt September 23, 2011 at 11:37 am - Reply

    Just sort of discovered you via WLCR, fun read. I wanted to move to CR full time, could not quite get my partner there, we compromised and are in Jupiter, Florida. The upside is the beach is beautiful and we are now only 2 hours from our beloved Playa Hermosa/Jaco.
    Here’s another link for homemade dishwasher soap: http://www.diynatural.com/simple-effective-jabs-homemade-dishwasher-detergent-rinse-agent/

    • admin September 23, 2011 at 10:47 pm - Reply

      It’s great how quick the flight is from Florida to here. I have a lot of gringo friends here who really enjoy living in Costa Rica and can get back to the states so quickly. There is nothing better than a quick plane ride.

      Thanks for the link, you are saving my bank account!

  4. Julie September 21, 2011 at 7:00 pm - Reply

    Love it! We finally got a dishwasher – added it to our shipment of various other items. We used to joke about our first one saving our marriage, now this one simply helps a *lot!*
    You can find the ingredients for homemade dishwasher soap here: http://www.quiflosa.com/
    they sell chemicals in bulk, cheap! it isn’t obvious, but you can walk in, shop, and leave with baggies of stuff 🙂

    • admin September 22, 2011 at 2:06 pm - Reply

      Hip Hip Horray!! I think if you have a spouse that always reaches for a clean glass….a dishwasher is a must. I’ve given up trying to change my husband, and I think the $12 cascade will just have to be part of the budget.

      Thanks for the link, I will check it out.

  5. Alanna September 21, 2011 at 12:27 pm - Reply

    When I lived in Venezuela we used to ask visitors to bring peanut butter, Oreos, batteries, and feminine products. You can imagine the looks they would get at customs.

    I remember washing laundry by hand and boiling drinking water, whenever I’m in a complaining mood here I think back to my Venezuela days. Though I like the convenience of having a washer, clean drinking water, and a dishwasher I have to say I miss the simplicity of living in Venezuela. Definitely need to get back one day.

    • admin September 22, 2011 at 2:05 pm - Reply

      You made me laugh, the things I ask people to bring with them down here. Don’t be surprised if my husband asks you to bring down a 25 lb dumb bell.

      You are absolutely right. There is always a draw to go back to a simpler life. I am glad about the dishwasher though since it keeps the marriage going strong. But like you said, I REALLY appreciate it in a way I would never have back in the states.

      • Tom May 8, 2013 at 4:25 pm - Reply

        The cure for dirty dishes. Each permanent occupier is issued a plate, cup, knife, fork and spoon. Cleaning is required immediately after use with fresh water only. It takes time for bad things to grow. This has worked in my life for 20 years. Soap is required for dirty dishes that sit out for longer than an hour or two. Boy Scout camp cleaning was……..clean the pot with sand & water, rinse and boil during next use.

  6. chuck September 18, 2011 at 5:17 pm - Reply

    If everyone had your insight and open mindedness on marriage there wouldn’t be such a high divorce rate.. 🙂 I love your blogs .. and book, but As much as I would love relocating there .. I don’t think my wife could handle it.. 🙂 but I still love living vicariously through your life…. 🙂
    I guess North Carolina will be my Costa Rica in the next few years.. LOL

    • admin September 20, 2011 at 10:34 am - Reply

      You can gladly live vicariously through us. It’s much more fun reading the adventures from a home with reliable water and electricity. Unfortunately, it’s one of things you have to give up here.

  7. alison September 18, 2011 at 10:13 am - Reply

    He said YOU deserve some dishwashing soap to wash HIS dishes because your work is going well ! How is doing his dishes your job? I’ve never heard of such disrespect from a housemate or living partner. Make a deal where he pays you to be his servant, in either barter or cash, this way you won’t feel so bad when you load and unload his dishes into the dishwasher, or wash them by hand, it’ll just be part of your job.

    • admin September 18, 2011 at 2:23 pm - Reply

      Hi Alison,

      I’m glad you took the time to respond, and after reading your suggestion I immediately burned my bra and called my sister. She is an attorney and quickly drew up legal documents in regards to my responsibilities in this household. She emailed me a long contract which surely will help me with my dish pan hands. It must be a good because she used words like “alternative sanctions”, “unconditional discharge”, and “probation absconder”. She also mentioned something about me relinquishing my royalties to her…but hey…by then my head hurt from all the reading. So I just signed it and handed it to Rob.

      After careful consideration, Rob added his own addendum. He wants me to share equal responsibilites when it comes to household duties. A few of the things listed were me helping him cut up and clean chicken without calling it “icky” and running into the other room. Another chore that I never do is take the garbage out to the dumping area, which means I never get ambushed by a team of rabid raccoons on a weekly basis. He would like that rectified.

      Also, he requires that I stop feigning menstral cramps when it comes to gutter cleaning or wasp nest removal. I tried to explain my delicate constitution makes me unsuitable for such jobs, but he would not budge on this. And I see in small print he wrote for me to stop talking about him on my blog. But we all know that’s not going to happen.

      So in the end, indentured servitude is really not so bad. I know my place; he runs from killer wasps in return for me washing his Coco Puffs bowel and my right to compose silly things about him in my books. And this has contributed to a happy marriage.

      • Doris September 22, 2011 at 5:36 pm - Reply

        You are a hoot! You wash his Coco Puffs BOWEL! That is going a little bit too far…

        • admin September 22, 2011 at 6:56 pm - Reply

          LOL. You just make me catch that typo, which I was about to change, but since I was called a servant, I’ll let the mistake stand. It lends a bit of desparation on my part.

          You should be a professional proofreader!!

  8. Erin in Costa Rica September 17, 2011 at 7:11 pm - Reply

    OMG YOU HAVE A DISHWASHER?!!!!! I am typing this comment with crusty dried-up fingertips that got this way from washing dishes in the sink everyday all day. You never really notice how luxurious dishwashers are until you don’t have one and you are cooking for yourself everyday – right?! I’m Axion green with envy over your dishwasher even if you are only using it on special occasions :)-
    …do you have hot water, too?

    • admin September 18, 2011 at 1:47 pm - Reply

      I also have hot water. Apparently, I am living the high life over here. I don’t even have a suicide shower. The things you appreciate once moving down here.

    • pissyrabbit September 24, 2011 at 6:01 pm - Reply

      I was going to say the same thing as Erin! I live in Escazú and i dont have a dishwasher 😉

      • admin September 25, 2011 at 8:57 pm - Reply

        You should see me when I load it, so careful…tenderly…every plate perfectly lined up. I am in love with this appliance.

  9. Sheryl Axelrod September 16, 2011 at 10:07 pm - Reply

    Glad somebody’s getting some use out of that dishwasher now that Rob fixed it. It’s been like an albatross around our neck. At least now I don’t feel like it’s a total waste. Will bring you some detergent from Costco when we come down. If it doesn’t put u’s over the weight limit.

    • admin September 18, 2011 at 1:44 pm - Reply

      Yes Sheryl…although I don’t mind washing dishes by hand…I think it’s worth using the dish washer to keep my marriage intact. Or as Rob would say…stop me from nagging him.

  10. Cheapchick (Tammy) September 16, 2011 at 7:51 pm - Reply

    Okay, next time we come to Costa Rica and see you guys I am packing: dishwasher soap, Heinz Ketchup, Poptarts and Kraft Macaroni and Cheese (my idea). Live it up sister!

    • admin September 18, 2011 at 1:42 pm - Reply

      I love it Tammy. No room for your own clothes, but well worth it on my end. What I would do for Heinz ketchup right now….it makes me tear up just thinking about it.

  11. Erin September 16, 2011 at 5:45 pm - Reply

    If you ever make it into the Central Valley, you may want to stock up at our Automercado. (I go to the one in Heredia, but I imagine the SJ & Alajuela ones are the same.) We get a box of detergent for just over $4!

    • admin September 18, 2011 at 1:41 pm - Reply

      I think this box was extra big, perhaps that is why the price was so high. Next time I am in the Central Valley, don’t expect to see any on the shelves for yourself. I’m going to buy every box in a 100 mile radius.

  12. nadine September 16, 2011 at 4:34 pm - Reply

    Do you need care packages of Cascade packs from the USA? $12 is cray-cray. I get a coupon every single week for those, and only buy Cascade once a year because 1. Costco and 2. I only run the dishwasher like twice a week because my domestic squabbles do not include the sheer volume of glasses used, but the fact he is ALWAYS drinking out of baseball game souvenir cups that do not fit in the dishwasher! I’ve been throwing them out one at a time in the dead of night.

    • admin September 18, 2011 at 1:40 pm - Reply

      I like that….throwing them out in the dead of night. I’m going to use that method when it comes to Rob’s old T-shirts. It’s sneaky and will accomplish something I’ve been trying to do for the last 10 years.

  13. TFJ September 16, 2011 at 9:41 am - Reply

    Hi! Love reading about your adventures. Have you thought about making your own detergent? There are some do-it-yourself recipes using ingredients like baking soda, citric acid, washing soda, etc. I am not sure if you could find the ingredients locally or if you would need to order them via the internet, but maybe it would give you detergent without the $12 a box cost.

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