Supplies to bring? (live, moving to, bars)

[whtviper1]

Originally Posted by Robin Rossi

What's the price of a staple, say, a gallon of milk, on BI vs SoCal? Any idea what the price of a Costco 2-gallon box of 2% is?

Give them a call, I'm sure they'd be happy to let you know.

[CyberCity]

Originally Posted by raechul

Well, we're moving! I've been gathering a few things to bring, food wise, so we're not blowing all of our money when we get there and I have a question:
What essentials would you suggest buying ahead of time to avoid the higher cost on the island ..

Just bring your medical necessities and essentials. Anything else, you can either buy here, or make an adjustment to the brands you use and buy it here. If money is going to be tight, you might as well learn from the get-go on how to make a go of it on a budget. Some budget cutting things could be buying store brands and inexpensive brands of shampoo ($1.39), laundry detergent ($3.99), etc. Hawaii Island offers all essential products, but there can be a big price difference between stores and between brands.

Pack just what take time to replace (prescription drugs, etc), and enough toiletries to get you through a few days (toothpaste, toothbrush, hair style gels and shampoo), just act as if you are going on a week long vacation. Within that week, go to a Longs or Walmart or Target and buy a months worth of products. You'll do fine.

I'd not bother with bringing any food, other than food for the airplane and some snacks in case there is a delay and I arrive late at night. Perhaps a pouch of tuna mix or peanut butter and some crackers, if you are that worried about the next day.

Of more concern is if you have adequate funds to be making a move to Hawaii. Stressing on needing to bring along food so that you are not "blowing all our money" seems to be cutting it very thin. Either that, or you don't have a full appreciation for the numerous and well stocked stores that we have in Hawaii, which include discount brands.

Good luck. Recheck your finances.

[raechul]

Originally Posted by CyberCity

Just bring your medical necessities and essentials. Anything else, you can either buy here, or make an adjustment to the brands you use and buy it here. If money is going to be tight, you might as well learn from the get-go on how to make a go of it on a budget. Some budget cutting things could be buying store brands and inexpensive brands of shampoo ($1.39), laundry detergent ($3.99), etc. Hawaii Island offers all essential products, but there can be a big price difference between stores and between brands.

Pack just what take time to replace (prescription drugs, etc), and enough toiletries to get you through a few days (toothpaste, toothbrush, hair style gels and shampoo), just act as if you are going on a week long vacation. Within that week, go to a Longs or Walmart or Target and buy a months worth of products. You'll do fine.

I'd not bother with bringing any food, other than food for the airplane and some snacks in case there is a delay and I arrive late at night. Perhaps a pouch of tuna mix or peanut butter and some crackers, if you are that worried about the next day.

Of more concern is if you have adequate funds to be making a move to Hawaii. Stressing on needing to bring along food so that you are not "blowing all our money" seems to be cutting it very thin. Either that, or you don't have a full appreciation for the numerous and well stocked stores that we have in Hawaii, which include discount brands.

Good luck. Recheck your finances.

Thanks! Yeah, I'm only bringing enough food for us to make some miscellaneous meals while we stay at our airbnb host for the first week.

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by raechul

Well, we're moving! I've been gathering a few things to bring, food wise, so we're not blowing all of our money when we get there and I have a question:

What essentials would you suggest buying ahead of time to avoid the higher cost on the island (like toothpaste, contact solution, TP, sunblock, etc.)? I figured it would make sense to stock up on a few items we'll need while we can get them cheaper on the mainland, I just don't know what items are going to be that different price-wise.

If you are going to have to bring stuff with you to avoid the high cost of buying them on the Islands, (and that supply will only last for a few months at most) to help you with your finances, then are making a grave mistake.


If the short-lived savings from bringing those things with, are enough to make any difference at all in your finances, your lack of financial backing dooms you, unless you are planning only a temporary trip. You should have $40,000 at least for seed money.

IMHO, to entertain this idea either by posing it, or encouraging/guiding you on what to bring, is Insane.

If you have to save money by bringing TP with your, don't leave, don't even think of leaving.

[Joliefille]

I would agree with Dreaming. There isn't a Sephora on the BI or anything like it. Rather than food or contact lotion, I would bring things like swimsuits, cute sandals, sundresses or summer clothes for kids (if you have them). The only department store is Macy's and they don't have a large selection to choose from and most things never make it to 2nd or 3rd markdown unlike many mainland department stores.

Not to be a bore, since I've posted this before, but the things I usually stock up on are unusual spices or ingrediants from Trader Joes or World Market. Decorative items, better linens, silk flowers. Its strange what is widely available and what is impossible to find. Almost defies description.

Think long term use, not short term savings. To save $10 on things you can find here at Walmart does make sense to me. Best of luck!

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by Joliefille

I would agree with Dreaming. There isn't a Sephora on the BI or anything like it. Rather than food or contact lotion, I would bring things like swimsuits, cute sandals, sundresses or summer clothes for kids (if you have them). The only department store is Macy's and they don't have a large selection to choose from and most things never make it to 2nd or 3rd markdown unlike many mainland department stores.

Not to be a bore, since I've posted this before, but the things I usually stock up on are unusual spices or ingrediants from Trader Joes or World Market. Decorative items, better linens, silk flowers. Its strange what is widely available and what is impossible to find. Almost defies description.

Think long term use, not short term savings. To save $10 on things you can find here at Walmart does make sense to me. Best of luck!

This is the most important part of the OP

"I've been gathering a few things to bring, food wise, so we're not blowing all of our money when we get there "

Bringing a few nick-nacks from home, where thay are a bit cheaper, is going to help prevent her from blowing all her money. "All her money" must amount to a pittance. However, instead of warning her of the abject foolishness of what she is proposing, you offer that she bring some spices from Trader Joe's????

The only advice she has any need to hear (and she has EVERY need to hear it) is to stay home, don't even think of leaving until your budget will last you a year or so with no income at all. Hawaii is very high-cost and low-pay. I would budget $2,500 a month for a year and have that in cash before I left. If not, TP, lens solution, spices from Trader Joes will be the LEAST of her worries.

[Joliefille]

Originally Posted by Robin Rossi

This is the most important part of the OP

"I've been gathering a few things to bring, food wise, so we're not blowing all of our money when we get there "

Bringing a few nick-nacks from home, where thay are a bit cheaper, is going to help prevent her from blowing all her money. "All her money" must amount to a pittance. However, instead of warning her of the abject foolishness of what she is proposing, you offer that she bring some spices from Trader Joe's????

The only advice she has any need to hear (and she has EVERY need to hear it) is to stay home, don't even think of leaving until your budget will last you a year or so with no income at all. Hawaii is very high-cost and low-pay. I would budget $2,500 a month for a year and have that in cash before I left. If not, TP, lens solution, spices from Trader Joes will be the LEAST of her worries.

Robin, what island do you live on? You do live in HAWAII right?

[Robin Rossi]

Nice Red Herring.

[Robin Rossi]

Originally Posted by Joliefille

Robin, what island do you live on? You do live in HAWAII right?

Aside from your Red Herring, do you have any substantive response? Perhaps you could address my point, that if bring TP et al from home is going to make a difference, than the move is wholly inadvisable?

After all, this person's future is at stake.

[trailtramp]

The original post on this thread takes the cake for most ridiculous. Moving to HI from mainland and bringing food to save $? Sounds like they will be signing up for welfare once they get there. Dumbest thread ever!