Details soon!
A Short One Today…
Things are in flux again. Hoping an upcoming trip will take my mind off things. And I’m tired as hell. I honestly think I’m burned out.
Sorry there isn’t more. Maybe next week.
Sam’s Club on a Saturday Afternoon… in China
I hate Sam’s Club. But I needed some help. I’ve got mold growing in my living room. These weird little spots on the wall. It’s an outside wall sort of; the other side is a stairwell. And it’s humid here. But this is the first time the mold has looked so bad. The “outside” walls of my bedroom are crumbling in the lower corners. It’s sort of gross.
Anyway, I reached out on one of my WeChat groups for help. I had a product recommended to me, and was told it was at Sam’s Club.
So I went.
Sam’s Club on a Saturday afternoon in China is panic-inducing. There’s so many people. I hadn’t been there in years, and the first time I’d went, it wasn’t a madhouse. But I won’t ever go to Sam’s Club on a Saturday afternoon again.
I don’t like Sam’s Club in the first place. There’s one back in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I visited it with my boss several times. He ran a vending machine concession at various federal buildings throughout the city. He couldn’t drive, so one of my duties was to drive him to SC in order to get what he needed.
I also despise Walmart and it has gotten way too much of my money while I’ve been here in China.
Anyway…
I had to buy a membership, and after a few minutes, was a newly minted member. The lady asked me if I needed a cart, but I said no. I just wanted one thing. I went upstairs and started looking around, then I showed the photo of the mold killer to an employee. I was led to the “household essentials” aisle.
It wasn’t there.
But I saw something that might work. After using the translation function on WeChat, I found out it was air conditioning cleaner that got rid of mold. Bingo! I took a pack of three and decided to check out the rest of the store.
I’ve never seen so many people shopping before. I made mental notes of things Sam’s Club had that I hadn’t really seen anywhere else. They seemed to have a good stock of sour cream, something that is elusive elsewhere. I use it to make chip dip.
They had a decent selection of shrimp as well, but there wasn’t much else that was impressive to me. I never saw if they had cocktail sauce for shrimp, but they probably didn’t. Their snack section had huge bags of Lay’s Classic, which definitely got my attention. Lay’s Classic, the imported kind, are much better than the Chinese-made “American Classic Flavor.” But those were the only chips I was interested in. I usually eat Ruffles with my chip dip, but no Ruffles here.
No taco shells either. But I picked some up the last time I was in Hong Kong.
I did see they had Ragu Double Cheddar Cheese sauce in boxes; think juice boxes but bigger.
I wonder what the cashier thought when I brought my mold killer and liquid cheese to the counter. It’s an odd combo, for sure. She was concerned that the plastic wrap on the cheese boxes was torn, but I insisted I wanted them. Five minutes were taken up trying to ring the cheese. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but finally I bought and booked. I was desperate to get home quickly, but took the bus.
I came home and did some work for school. I broke up my work with tasks; I thought I’d try the mold spray after grading some papers.
I sprayed a little bit on and wiped a spot on the wall.
It was gone, just like that! It wasn’t what was recommended to me, but this stuff worked like a dream!
I wish I’d taken before and after photos, the difference was absolutely amazing.
It might have taken a couple of hours, but slogging through SC on a Saturday afternoon turned out to be worth it to get this miracle spray.
Maybe when I have some extra money to blow on food, I can get the giant-economy size editions of cheesecake, Lay’s Classic, shrimp, and a pack of 28 mini boxes of cereal. Until then, I’ll have to be contented/frustrated with buying several packages of stuff, because that’s all I can afford or find room for. If only I had an American-size refrigerator.
Sam’s Club had those too.
Western Food Paradise
I haven’t really been homesick, but I have gotten homesick for certain foods. It would cost a fortune to have a Monte Cristo sandwich from Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen delivered here, so I learned to make my own. Unfortunately, turkey is difficult to buy here in China. That’s where Western Food Paradise comes to the rescue. Expats craving food from home need to check this place out. I decided to do an interview finding out more about the business, so read on!
Who started the company?
Western Food Paradise was created by two foodies; Matt and Bonnie. We’re husband and wife and we share the passion for good food. I, Matt, am Italian and am in China since 2016, while Bonnie is from Handan in Hebei province.
When did it start?
It was May 2020 when we officially started to deliver imported food all around China. Yet, the idea was a couple of years older and related to my trips from Italy to China. I used to bring some of my home food with me on the trips to China, shared it with my friends and saw the great need for these products. I quickly noticed the incredible longing for home-food in so many expats.
Why start it?
I experienced the painful lack of good cheese and meat in China. And those that were available, were sold at shockingly high prices in just a handful locations. Sure, Taobao was available, but the quality of the food was usually terrible. The decision to make a hobby become a service available to everyone in need came when we ordered a can of anchovies from Taobao. The moment we opened the can, a smell of rotten fish invaded the whole house. Even the cat was alarmed by it. Bonnie called the shop, where they affirmed that expiration date was ok, and therefore the fish eatable. We threw it away, and decided that it was about time to open a shop where prices were fair and quality undoubted.
What did you hope to accomplish?
The goal was always clear because born out of necessity. We wanted to be a reliable source of imported food at fair prices. There just wasn’t anything like it. You either headed to luxury supermarkets and overpaid, or hoped that what you bought online was decent enough to eat. It didn’t have to be that way, and we set out to offer better prices and guaranteed quality of food. What we didn’t think of but became one more reason customers trust us, is that we bridge the language gap for expats in China. We do anything we can for our customers. We schedule delivery times, make sure packages are delivered exactly where requested (to the door, or to the lobby, or to a specific gate) and in case of problems we’re 100% here for them. Our customer service is active from 8am until 11pm. If someone has a special request, we do our best to fulfill it. At the end of the day we’re here to help and we want customers to enjoy the whole process. It’s all about food, one of the most exciting things of all.
Where are you located?
We’re in Shenzhen, Guangdong.
How has business been?
When we started, we had no plan, no forecast, no business plan. We had a goal, shared it, and it picked up like wildfire. It resonated with so many people all around China, that we soon left our jobs to concentrate on making this service the best we could. It is a fun ride. We work with extraordinary people, have an amazing team, and fantastic customers.
It’s said necessity is the mother of invention. At what point did you say, “I gotta get some western food here or I’ll die?”
We never felt like dying, since Chinese food is amazing. But the longing for a real pizza (who said Durian pizza?) is always strong for an Italian. After 4 months in China I can’t resist it anymore. So we went to Naples in 2023, had about 15 pizza in 7 days, attended the “Associazione Pizza Verace Napoletana” – the official Neapolitan pizza school – and learned how to make the real UNESCO pizza. Now we can have it anytime we feel like, and even offer it frozen among our products.
I’ve used your services to get turkey. It’s not a very common meat here, like it is in the United States. Can you tell me why turkey isn’t common and duck is available everywhere?
Turkey is a native American bird that didn’t exist elsewhere before the discovery of the continent. It isn’t even common in Europe today, just as in China. On the other hand, duck is a native species and deeply rooted in Chinese culture and cuisine.
What is the most requested food item?
It’s hard to say. Expats in China come from all corners of the world and we receive many requests. Overall, it seems like some expats can’t find their hometown cheese and spirits.
What’s the most unusual food request you’ve had?
I’d have to say the request for dolphin meat.
Has there been anything you couldn’t get?
Like the above mentioned. There is plenty that also makes no sense to import. While we try to accommodate every request, for some products there isn’t the demand.
I can’t ever seem to find grape jelly. There’s all sorts of other flavors, but what is it about grape jelly that makes it impossible to find?
Usually the lack of a product is directly related with little demand for it.
The quality of your food is excellent. I got my hot dogs the other day, and I covered them with the chili con carne I got from you and had decent chili dogs for the first time in China. Do you have a quality guideline, like the food providers for the Royal Family and do you boast about it?
Thank you Gloria! Of course we use guidelines when it comes to our products:
- We test every product before we sell it.
- Quality is more important than price.
- Since most labels are in Chinese, we make sure that the products follow EU and US guidelines, so our customers don’t need to worry about it.
- We thoroughly screen everything that comes into our warehouse to ensure quality of packaging and storage. Anything that’s off, is sent back to the supplier.
- Storing food at the right temperature, correct sun exposure and humidity is key to maintain quality. We have machines and systems in place to make sure everything is stored properly.
- The most difficult part remains sending the food around China. We use SF food service which is the best, fastest but also most expensive in China. We use all tools available to deliver products frozen and chilled, which ultimately is important to taste good.
What is your contact information? Do you have a website?
We’re purely based on Wechat. By scanning this, you can visit our wechat store:
We’re always happy to answer questions through our Wechat customer service. You can add us by scanning the QR code above.
Radical Ways to Save Money, Part 3 of Several
Don’t buy a brand-new car—I get, it, it’s exciting, but as someone who bought her first (and so far only) brand-new car in late 1994, I can tell you to avoid it if at all necessary. Don’t go buying a new car every three to five years either. I bought my 1994 Geo Metro, and as cheap as it was, it lasted a very long time. Well over two decades. My next car I bought for $800 cash. And I made payments, because I was that broke.
Don’t buy trendy clothes—Fast fashion puts out some pretty awful stuff. And not everyone looks good in it either. I’m adopting a more French attitude, and if you think that’s anti-American, well, va te faire foutre. Buy what looks good on YOU, not necessarily what’s in style today. Go thrifting, or check out some resale/consignment shops and buy better-quality stuff. Thrift stores are NOT a thing in China, so I’m really looking forward to thrifting when I go back to the states. Develop a capsule wardrobe, and avoid amassing 200 pieces of clothes. Think quality, not quantity.
Take water with you—In China, they don’t have drinking fountains in public buildings. If they do, they are basically hot water dispensers, so if you don’t carry a cup with you, tough luck. Tap water is not drinkable in China. I used to buy my own, but after seeing the amount of plastic I was going through, started boiling my water again. I also save water bottles and fill them a third of the way with water and freeze them. Then, before I go out, I fill them the rest of the way with water. That way, I have delightfully cold water even on the hottest day. Doesn’t matter that even a one and a half liter bottle of water is maybe 3.50 yuan, or 49 cents. It won’t be as cold as what I can bring (Ice is an American thing) and 49 cents saved is 49 cents earned.
Pack a lunch and/or snacks—McDonald’s and KFC and Starbucks are all over the place here. But I can’t tell you the last time I went to McD’s or KFC. Starbucks? More like StarSUCKS. If you’re heading out for errands, or going on some sort of outing, take snacks with you. I’d KILL for those little cheese crackers with the peanut butter in between, because I can’t find them in China. You know, Austin’s or Frito-Lay brand? I think Austin’s is the best but I may have to see if they are available online at Baopals (which incidentally delivers to the U.S.)
Read part 1 here: https://nowaylaowai.home.blog/2024/03/17/radical-ways-to-save-money-part-1-of-several/
Read part 2 here: https://nowaylaowai.home.blog/2024/03/31/radical-ways-to-save-money-part-2-of-several/
Radical Ways to Save Money Part 2 of Several
Challenge yourself—Could you bathe using one gallon of water? I’ve done it. Hint—gravity plays a part. Get creative with how you do things and see how much money you can save.
Just because it’s cheap—doesn’t mean you need it. I’m trying to get over this mindset here in China. There are soooo many cute stores here (MiniSo, KKV, nameless MiniSo/KKV wannabe across from Robinson’s Galleria) but I’m doing my best to look, not buy. If you can’t resist, don’t look or go online to buy anything.
Consider a WFH job—Consider getting a remote/work from home job to cut down on commuting costs. Your mental health is important, so if you really don’t thrive in an office environment, think about leaving it. Of course, if you get distracted by the piles of trash and laundry sitting around, this might not be such a good idea. You’ll be saving commute time as well as clothing costs.
Ride the bus—I don’t know why it took me such a long time to ride the bus and subway when I moved to Xiamen for the second time, but I’m thrilled that I can get to work for literally pennies. A bus ride round trip from my house to work is less than 28 cents American because I put money on a bus pass, which gives me a discount. If I took a Didi, it would run me anywhere from $7-10 USD round trip. So less than 28 cents versus at least $7? Yeah, no brainer there. Yes, it takes a bit more time to wait on the bus, and to walk to and from the bus stop. But saving $7-10 a day is worth it.
Goodbye, Summit
Sorry, no cheapskate tips this week. My cat died. And I feel terrible about it.
My cat died this past week. I’m all sorts of feels right now.
I couldn’t afford to take her to China. I felt really guilty about that. However, a friend of mine is great with animals and I asked if she would foster Summit. I was confident that I’d see Summit again.
I remember rescuing her years ago when I was out delivering phone books. She was in someone’s driveway. Across the road there was an abandoned trailer, and several hundred yards back, an abandoned house. Filled with cats.
I wasn’t in great financial shape, but felt I could give her a better home than what she had. I took this very hungry kitten home and bottle-fed her.
From the start, she liked being on top of things. She climbed on top of my dog’s teddy bear. Soon, she would crawl all the way up my body, to perch on my head. Summit was the logical name. Unusual, but fitting.
At first, Summit and my dog, Daphne, clashed. I felt bad for Daphne, who probably thought it would just be us after my mom died. I tried to make her understand. My house, though not big, had enough room so they could each have their own space. Eventually they tolerated each other enough to share my bed.
When Daphne passed, I didn’t sense a change in Summit. Years prior, a friend had come over. I went out in the backyard for something. When I came back in, my friend told me Summit had been crying for me. I never would have known that, because cats being cats, I got one of the anti-social ones. She’d jump on the piano, and we’d boop noses. On my way back, she’d lash out at me.
Honestly, I was a little bit afraid of her.
One day, when I returned home, I found Summit acting strange. A trip to the vet didn’t help, but from that day on, she was different. I was never able to pick her up again. Baffled, I wondered if I’d done anything wrong.
The day came when I took her to my friend’s house before I left for China. I felt really, really guilty. When I was in China, my friend said she was concerned about Summit. I was concerned too. But I didn’t want her to be taken to the shelter. There was enough disruption in her life; I wanted her to live with someone great with pets. Summit spent most of her time in my friend’s basement. Still better than roaming out in the wild, or with someone I didn’t know. I asked my friend to be patient. Summit went from a house with one human and one dog to a much larger house with one human and several dogs and cats. It would take time for her to adjust. As long as she had shelter, food, and water, she’d be fine. Especially since she had a place she could be alone if she wanted.
I still felt guilty.
Not so long ago, Summit developed a health situation. Used to having long-lived pets, I assumed she’d live as long as Daphne, who passed at a little over 17 years.
Summit wouldn’t be as lucky.
At least she wasn’t alone when she passed.
But I’m all sorts of feels right now. Happy that my friend took her in. Happy that she had room to be alone if she wanted. Happy she had good care. And happy that eventually, she made her way up the stairs. And that she would poke her nose in the refrigerator whenever my friend opened it.
I’m also sad. Sad that I couldn’t afford to take her with me. Sad at feeling afraid of her. Sad about a lot of things.
Mad at myself, as well.
I have never had a pet while in China. I felt it would be unfair to have one here, when I couldn’t even care for the one I had to leave at home.
And it’s hard enough to care for myself.
Rest in peace, Summit. I’m sorry. I loved you. I really did.
Radical Ways to Save Money! (Part 1 of Several)
I’m on quite a few Facebook groups and I’m seeing some alarming things coming from the states, but what else is new, right? Namely, about the cost of living. Everything seems out of control from a price point. The Facebook groups don’t want any politics discussed, but it’s a bit hard to keep away from that with what’s going on. The powers that be don’t care about you. They don’t want you to get ahead, they want you to keep doing what you’re doing—barely keeping your head above water. Because if you don’t, you might start to wonder just exactly what’s going on.
And you might do something about it, if all the medication you’re on didn’t make you so lethargic.
But I’ve come to the conclusion that if you do want things to be different for you economically, you’re really going to do things that are radically different from before. They might even seem un-American. But do you want to be a Frugal Ninja for a few years, or live like this the rest of your life?
I’m here to help. You’re welcome.
Move Overseas
It’s not for everyone, but if you want an adventure, give it a shot. I’ve had a rough time of it, honestly. However, I’m thankful that I’m doing it and still doing it. A lot of people would have given up, but I’m stubborn. I also managed to pay off four bills within a year. Then Covid hit. Don’t worry that you don’t have a teaching degree, or a teaching license. As long as you have a bachelor’s degree of ANY kind, and a 120 hour TEFL certificate, you’re employable. Check out Dave’s ESL Café for jobs. I had six emails within 24 hours. Then, six emails after that. And so forth.
Kindergarten positions are probably the most common, but after you get here and work for a couple years, more positions will open up. In the smaller cities, you can have a two bedroom apartment for around $400. Transportation is around 14 cents per bus ride. And the subway to get where I hang out a lot is $1.50 round trip. As a result, I’m saving anywhere between $1500 and $2000 a month. Yes, you read that right. If you’re already a teacher in the states, you have an advantage over pretty much everyone else. And of course, the more credentialed you are, the better job opportunities you’ll have.
Free Toilet Paper and Soap
Are available at public restrooms. Just sayin’.
Think about what makes you happy
During the early days of the pandemic, I had a LOT of time to think about what I wanted in life. I suggest you do the same. It might take several sessions, as we don’t have the luxury of quarantine anymore. But whenever you have a spare moment, think about what you want your working and personal life to look like. What sort of work makes you happy? If you can’t do it full-time, try to see if you can do it as a side hustle. I know I love to work with words, so I’m trying to make that happen. In the meantime, I have a job, so for now all is well.
Side Hustle
Is there something you’d rather be doing for a living? See if you can do a side hustle of it first. That will help you see if your side hustle could be a viable career, or a passing fancy (calling all you ADHD folks out there!) that you get bored with. Check out any legal things, like liability insurance, health codes, how to file taxes, etc.
A Short One, Today
Guess I should have had something more profound today, but I didn’t.
I Have a Cold
I have a cold, but this one is different. It came on quickly.
In China, I’ve noticed my colds come on gradually. I start to feel bad, and the symptoms creep up: exhaustion, headache, a bit of coughing, and sneezing, usually on a daily basis. It’s a four day preview.
Not this time.
It was BOOM Thursday cold, Friday lots of runny nose and congestion. Saturday, more of the same, but not as bad.
I did manage to slog to the pharmacy and get some medicine, then I went for my five years in China celebration dinner, which was fabulous as usual.
I also spent a bunch at Wal-mart. Didn’t really intend to do that, but whatever. Looking forward to a shrimp dinner. Maybe later on day (depending on energy levels) or maybe sometime this week.
So right now, I’m nice and cozy in bed after stepping out for a few things. Living alone in China without a car means grocery shopping sometimes happens a few days a week. Being able to get everything at one store is a bit tough. I can see why people go shopping every day, but I still shop like an American.
Anyway, I’ve got my meds mixed into my tea. Happy Sunday!
P.S. Here’s my five year Chinaversary video, set to Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song.” It’s been a tough road, but I don’t regret coming here. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zzuOqV3DJI
No Way! Laowai! 
You must be logged in to post a comment.