GROCERY SHOPPING 2021 | COST OF LIVING IN AMERICAN SAMOA | Living Expenses on a Tropical Island
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- čas přidán 27. 06. 2024
- A lot has changed during this past year, including the COST OF LIVING IN AMERICAN SAMOA. We're here today to show you how much you can expect to spend when grocery shopping on Tutuila.
Last time we made a Grocery Shopping Cost of Living video, we focused solely on grocery stores, but this time we decided we'd better include one of the many roadside produce stands, where they sell locally grown fruits and vegetables.
Let us know where you do your grocery shopping in American Samoa or which place you'd like to try. Thanks again for watching! Tofa Soifua!
00:00- Intro
01:03- Patreon & Travel Guide
01:51- Cost U Less
06:40- KS Mart
09:46- Produce Stand
12:25- Matai Mart
15:26- Tofa Soifua
You can purchase your own ebook or paperback copy of “Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu’u, and Manu’a Islands” on Amazon, at amzn.to/3aV9w2S
If you'd like to support our channel, please consider pledging to our PATREON account, where you can pay $5, $10, or $25 per month, helping us keep these and other videos about our life and adventures in American Samoa coming each week.
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I loved organic n grown veggies n fruits
food is just food. I could happily live off of rice/beans or whatever the tropical pacific equivalent is. It would be worth it to see the beauty of American Samoa everyday. From what I've seen in your videos, there can hardly be a more beautiful place on this planet. Some of the scenes you show are truly something from another world. I want to experience American Samoa first hand someday soon. I don't care if it's rainy. I'll even go to church on Sunday if necessary and I have no faith whatsoever.
Awesome! Sounds like you get it 🤙
It does feel like the whole world changed in just a year
Thank you for stopping by at Lupes Market ❤️ We thank you so much for the support .
We love it there ❤️❤️
I'm so happy for you guys that you live in a modest way. Indeed, my family came from Philippines, relocated in Illinois first then to Texas and I still felt nostalgic the life back home... simple, easy, laid back, tropical weather and friendly people. Good luck in your new adventure in American Samoa, you call home. See you in your next video.
Very cool! Thank you. We hope life is good in Texas 🤙
I've never seen a video about Samoa. You made me feel like I've been there. It was amazing to see all the big brands there on the island. My favorite was the little vegetable/fruit stand. Thank you!
Looks like a beautiful part of the world. Nice Dublin jersey too!
Much thanks to the former owner of our boat for leaving that jersey behind! Fits so nice!!😎
1916 was the year of the Easter Rising here in Dublin. A time in Irish history which would later lead to our independence. All the best to you and your family. Very cool what you're doing. :)
Great job! Also at Matai's Mart, they sell Samoan food every Sunday for tona'i's including taro, banana, papā, palusami, povi masima, pipī, māmoe, and more! Great job Melinda and Nate! It went by so fast!.👍🏾😊
🤙❤️
Hello guys,
Wow those items are expensive in the Cost-u-less. Wwooww. The Costcos here in California sells pisupo (palm brand) $25.00 for a six pack cans (11.5 oz). I was blown away; so happy 👍👍👍👍👍. I am so glad to see a lot of the same groceries that are available to American Samoa. Thank God for blessings. Stay safe/blessed 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Yeah, there’s not a lot that we can’t have access to, even if some of it is more expensive.
Love your videos.. keep them coming... I left American Samoa when I was 9... I'm 63 now and haven't been back.. would love to go back for a visit.. ❤️ from LasVegas..
Boarders are supposed to open sometime around the end of summer. Time to start planning a trip!
OMG.....Yes Matai Mart is also my favorite.....and they're learning the language...Thanks guys...
That beat goes hard . Sounds really good
Thank you for sharing. Hoping border would open up, soon. Would love to go back again. GOD BLESS YOU BOTH.
Lupe at the fruit/veg stand is such a great lady she also does the Samoan or Tongan "fofo". You guys are great also.
She’s such a gem!
Awesome video great job keep up the positive energy and god bless
Im here in the main land but my parents are still there in American Samoa. It's been 16 year's in u.s. Thank you for the great video. God bless you both. Love watching your video's. ❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏😊
Talofa and Hi all the way from Seattle Washington...love watching you guys video's i really miss home 🇦🇸🇦🇸 someday hopefully when they start opening up the flights again soon...God Bless 🙏🇦🇸❤🇦🇸
Thank you Guys🙏❤🇦🇸
Hi 👋 Hopefully they’ll be opening up soon 🤞
Hello from Sydney Australian, love all your videos, God bless
Cool! We visited Sydney a few years ago. God bless ❤️
American Samoa was the only place has no civic-19 ever. I'm originally from Guam U.S. Territory it's aU.S. military Air Force, Navy and Marine base. But when me and my wife retired from our employment we headed to Tucson Arizona which was pretty good, cuz Guam's food was expensive and Tucson was way cheaper and even fuel ⛽️ too. Enjoy your new life, samoa is beautiful 🌹🌴🍯🌽🌸🤙🏼👍🏻🙏🏼
New user and I love it!! I was born in American Samoa 49 years ago and never been back. 😔God willing I will be back someday but thank you for this video it’s so awesome to see cost of grocery! 😍
Awesome! Thanks for joining us. It would be great to see you back here one day ❤️
My wife wants to know if you have Miracle Whip on the island. We don’t have it here in the Yucatan Mexico. She said if you have it we’re moving! 😂
Yes, they do have Miracle Whip.. pack up and move to beautiful American Samoa. Love it very much there. GOD BLESS.
Here is a YT recipe to make your own Miracle Whip at home: czcams.com/video/rh-iEV1EYSY/video.html
Also Todd Wilbur has a cookbook where he has figured out how to copy cat a bunch of Ameican fast and common foods.
He has been doing it well enoungh to be doing it for about 25 years. topsecretrecipes.com/top-secret-recipes-by-todd-wilbur.html for about
....the cookbook is probably cheaper than moving 😂😁
He also posts some of his copycat recipes on that site for free. I have copied the Krispy Kreme donuts at home and a few others and they all worked very well and taste like the USA if you follow the recipe. Enjoy!
Love the videos🤙Keep it coming🤩🌺
Hopefully you guys can vlog at the golf course in Iliili. It’s my home and thank you so much for this channel
It’s officially on our list!
A lot like Florida used to be...all kinds of roadside stalls selling produce very reasonably.
My grandmother made cucumber sandwiches for summer meals. Very simple and good. Slice up a cucumber, some mayo and bread...
I love to see how your family explained about your life in American Samoa. Hope you guys doing well there. Love from Malaysia
Awesome! Thank you for this video. 👍🏼
The price are great compare to Hawaii. But American Samoa is further out. ,that's not bad. Love it.
Dear family ❤️😷
Another fantastic video
Thank you heaps🙃👍
I love your channel! Thanks for these posts.
I see an opportunity for a dairy farm for local consumption. Also, if prices are high on some produce, put in a garden at your home.
Awesome video you guys! thank you so much.😊
Thank you!
Thank you for the shopping tour this year, take care and be safe. God bless 💜, tofa soifua.
Another epic video guys, thank you for sharing👍🏽
🙏
New subbie here. Watching from the Fiji Islands 🇫🇯
Hi 👋 Thanks for subscribing and watching ❤️
You guys are awesome 😁😁😁. I love all your videos. Makes me miss home even more. Keep up the good work.
Thank you family 👪 faafetai lava and alofa atu...God bless 💖 🙏 tofa soifua...
I can't to come back for a visit. I'm amazed at the stuff they have there. I think it's pretty good for a small island far away from the US. Thanks for showing all the stores.
Nice the first video of y'alls was the food video good update 👍🏾
Very cool! We’re glad you found this one helpful too.
Love the bloopers at the end 🤣
Hello Amsam fam🙏❤️Another phenomenal video! Very informative! Blessings to y'all family!🤙🤙🙏
Thank you ❤️
I miss am Samoa. I love going to the mini markets at night and going for a night drive.
Another great performance! Fa!
Love watching your videos, thumps up on fresh veggies..see you on your next video..
Like always awesome contents keep them coming much alofas
Thank you!
Love love love your video beautiful family God bless
That's it I'm moving there. 👍😁
Wow! Getting close to 10K subscribers. I love the content of you page. 🌺
Thanks!
I miss home so much i love you guys Videos..(new subscriber)
Love seeing the foods again and prices. It was awesome as people know what they are going to pay once they come and visit or stay. Thank you again for this video. Least i know they have real milk. I would love to send you some aussie food for you all to try.
Thanks, Maree! And we’d love some Aussie food!
@@AmSamFam One day you will have to give me a address on the island to where I can send some stuff too so you can all try some Aussie foods. 💕
@@mareelewis7639 how about today 😉
Our address is:
PO Box 983125
Pago Pago, AS 96799
USA
Thanks so much Maree ❤️
Thank you Melinda and your family for all the love and great videos you have shared with us! Can't wait til the boarder open to come meet you guys! Faafetai faafetai lava❤ My favorite stop for veggie and coconuts is the one in your video!
So glad to hear that you’re planning a trip over here!
Yes can't wait, good luck with your boat house it starting to look nice and beautiful❤️
I swear LandOfrost is everywhere lol 🤣 Good quality ham lunch meat, turkey could use a little less process but yea. Roughly the same price here in MI as well. (unless it's on sale)
Lets go brandon... go Warriors!
you guys are my second best channel on youtube Deermeat for Dinner is my all time favorite
Thanks! We’ll have to check out Deermeat for Dinner.
there is a really important documentary i recommend with all my heart to you and your family...and everyone. it's called, FORKS OVER KNIVES. it's probably the most important 'health' information that has ever been produced. lovely fresh produce at the roadside stand. very scary, corporate supplied processed food throughout the stores. all of your diseases and cures are between those two elements.
Yes I remember Cost-u-less,I don’t know those other stores they’re all new and that roadside produce stands right by my friends house🙂thank you for all the videos I look forward to watch and see what it looks like back home now...I miss home🥺hopefully we will get a chance to be on the repatriation flights so we can come back home...thanks again n God bless❤️🙏
Good luck with the flights! ❤️🤙
I haven't been home for 8yrs now & I think the prices are still the same. Btw, are there no devondale anymore? That was my favorite milk😂 ugh I miss home🥺 thank you fam for the uploads♥️♥️♥️♥️😊
There is 👍🏾
Why did you leave home?
Can you guys do an ASMR on Samoan foods?
Interesting idea. We’ll have to look into that.
Greetings from California! Thanks for the great video.
This is probably because I live in a high-cost area, but it seems as if the prices have gone down since your last video. Would your family say that canned and frozen fruits and vegetables (e.g., canned peaches) are easy to find and affordable in American Samoa? Also, I really enjoyed you sharing the uplifting story about Tutuila Greens - great to see the territory getting access to fresher and more locally grown produce. On a side note, while I agree the Cost U Less seems very similar to Costco, the color scheme reminds me of Home Depot.
P.S. Would be interested in learning more/watching a video on payment options in the territory, assuming your family hasn't already covered that. I wonder if everywhere accepts credit cards, ApplePay, and mobile wallets or if people still use older forms of payment such as cash and checks.
Thanks for the recommendation! You may be right about the prices. Last year there was a pretty severe food shortage when we shot the last edition, due to delayed cargo ships. That may have pushed some prices up.
Yes I will support u
Thank you! ❤️
thank you so much for sharing ur video i just can't believe cost of living in the island talking about foods n prices are high wow that make me sad i live in Kentucky mostly my whole early teenage life with my husband i was only 19 i'm from the island life was different back than but i can't really say anything because this is now in the future compare back than lol again thank you so much for sharing please stay safe GB❤🙏🙏🙏👍
❤️
Love your videos, you make me miss home. I'm hoping to take my palagi (white) wife and afakasi( half white)kids back to Samoa where I grew up. Faafetai tele lava. Alofa atu from SLC, UT
It’s a good time to escape to a COVID-free location!
Thank you
I was surprised to see that a lot of your prices for food are about the same or better than here in California where we are. Even though some are high.
I don;t really agree with this statement . .same or better, hardly. same and more expensive, yes
Gave me goosebumps when you showed Matai's. That is home for me. Was Zeeks Treats open next door? Man these videos really make you miss home a lot. Can't thank you guys enough AmSamFam 🙌
We’ve never actually tried Zeeks Treats, because they are never open when we try. I would love to know their hours of operation, so we can give them a try sometime.
Perhaps the next one you could do a video on the fruits we have here in American Samoa. To save you money from buying coconut, just ask a Samoan family for some or pick some from the beaches you guys visit. Lol
Have you tried Golden Gaytime ice cream? The best in the whoooole world lol that’s the first thing I go to the store for every time I visit home!
Yes, we have. Yum. I haven’t seen it around as much lately, we must be running short currently. 🤷♀️
Groceries lol welcome to Canada 🇨🇦
KS is kind of like ridleys here in pocatello or winco
Taro is expensive because it is a Samoan delicacy
....it's used regularly all over Japan too...
Organic veggies and fruits 👍👍😀
Your family should visit Upolu & Savai’I island 👍🏽
I absolutely enjoy watching your videos, very informative. I have family friends that are from American Samoa, and have been telling me I need to go visit. Once boards open I’m going to plan a trip down! I know it is probably cheaper to stay with friends and family but if that wasn’t an option, what would some suggestions be when coming to visit for a couple of weeks to say maybe a month?
There are a few great little hotels, like Sadie’s by the Sea, Tradewinds, Maliu Mai, and Moana o’ Sina. They’re all absolutely beautiful.
AmSamFam thank you😊
CZcams good information and the good family
Awesome great .....nice video I feel happy for the 16 min 59 sec there i am with you.....🙌🤙 oute alofa ia oe
Thank you!
Faafetai foi
Can you make a video on how to cook or what to do with Terro (vegetables). Please!
Yikes. Not sure that we’re the best ones to show how to cook taro, but we may be up for the challenge!
subscribed
America has everything
According to my father, there's also places on the island only military people or people with military family can shop at, and they're generally cheaper. One of them is called PX, which I think is short for Postal Exchange, and then there was something else I don't remember the name of.
That's right. Most military posts have these
Unfortunately, we can’t get in. 🤷♂️
@@AmSamFam My father was in the military and this week we're planning to go to Oklahoma City to get me a military ID, and then I'll be able to to go to them
I've been to independent Samoa many times and love the roadside stalls... Prices for produce are WAY more expensive for local produce in Am Sam I see...
Anchor milk is NZ brand. Anything from NZ is good stuff the dairy products to the meat
🥰🥰
Do they give out candies for change in AmSam? Here in Chuuk Micronesia, every store (big or small) will give out candies for change just because they have no pennies. So for instance if you bought something for a price of $4.31, and you gave them a $10, they'd give you $5.65 and a piece of candy for the 4 cents... LOL. It's crazy.
Some places do, yes 😄
You still haven't visit my beautiful island of Aunu'u where I grew up throughout my childhood years. Let me know if ya gonna go visit I'll have my cousins give you a tour around the island. God bless you all and don't forget to include him and Our Saviour Jesus Christ in all your plans for guidance and protection upon you and your family throughout your journey. Alofa atu.
God, I wish we would have such a large store / food variety here in Finland
That’s interesting. You don’t have good food variety in Finland? What are some of the available foods that you really like?
@@AmSamFam Since I'm originally coming from Austria, the food is very different in Finland, though these countries are "only" about 2000km away from each other. In Austria we use lots of flavors in our foods. In Finland, they don't. What I miss a lot is bread. Also soups are not really a thing here in Finland. It is also hard to get toys for the children. I think 90% of stuff that I have in my apartment now is just ordered from Amazon, because it is so hard to get here. But then again, I am used to something else and my standards are higher since middle Europe has just so much to offer. Foe example, even my vaccum cleaner and fan are from Amazon, and most of the children toys are ordered from Amazon. And most things only have one brand here, so really not much variety here. Sweet pastry can be pretty good here. Finnish people like to cook a lot, so there isn't so much ready made food in Finland. I only learnt how to cook since I live here. So now I have to make Wiener Schnitzel by myself here, though I need bread crumbs and the right flour, which my mom sends me by post, since I don't get these in Finland ^^" In Austria it is the opposite. And so funny that samoans like Vienna Sausages? I was born in Vienna, so this is hilarious :D But yea, you have so much more variety there in American Samoa than I have here in north Europe.
@@AmSamFam Since I'm originally coming from Austria, the food is very different in Finland, though these countries are "only" about 2000km away from each other. In Austria we use lots of flavors in our foods. In Finland, they don't. What I miss a lot is bread. Also soups are not really a thing here in Finland. It is also hard to get toys for the children. I think 90% of stuff that I have in my apartment now is just ordered from Amazon, because it is so hard to get here. But then again, I am used to something else and my standards are higher since middle Europe has just so much to offer. Foe example, even my vaccum cleaner and fan are from Amazon, and most of the children toys are ordered from Amazon. And most things only have one brand here, so really not much variety here. Sweet pastry can be pretty good here. Finnish people like to cook a lot, so there isn't so much ready made food in Finland. I only learnt how to cook since I live here. So now I have to make Wiener Schnitzel by myself here, though I need bread crumbs and the right flour, which my mom sends me by post, since I don't get these in Finland ^^" In Austria it is the opposite. And so funny that samoans like Vienna Sausages? I was born in Vienna, so this is hilarious :D But yea, you have so much more variety there in American Samoa than I have here in north Europe.
Your prices are not that far off from ours here in California. Some higher, some lower, but overall pretty close!
1st
#1 fan 😉
Looks expensive than American. Its gardening Time.
Well said Mataio Ne’emia.
Thank you....was curious what all was available to the island......what do married couples your age do for fun? Are there groups or clubs to have fun with?..( I'm guessing from your videos church is the main place to meet people?) are the islanders private people and mostly keep with family?....what are the kids school hours and and months?..what do you think of the curriculum? Do they have field trips?....do the parents allow sleep overs and staying for dinner?....I'm just wondering how different if at all it would be for kids from mainland. Thank you...and please disregard any questions you already talked about..... great videos!
Hi, I’m an American Samoan native now living in the States;
Yes there are a handful selections of clubs around Tutuila island. Christianity is a big part of the Samoan islands’ lives, it’s where you’ll meet all sorts of people. Most Samoans would keep to themselves & just “go with the flow”, can sometimes be too laid back. People would sometimes not even bother to do anything, unless they’re familial obligations or something of self-interest. As far as School, we as an American Territory use the American system unlike our neighboring Independent Samoan sister who have adopted a more European system into their government; hence their complete time difference from American Samoa. School in American Samoa’s hrs differ by school system & it’s levels, but it’s the same basis from 7:30am/8am-1pm/2pm, starting around August/Sept-Dec. Jan-May/June for 1 School Year; ei: SY 2020-2021.
The curriculum honestly, is below the parr compared to the USA. Everything’s so limited & the access to ‘quality’ education is a dig. Comparing American Samoa’s education system (I’m honestly not trying to offend anyone, not even my people but it’s a sad truth) would be an equal to being in some of the low income areas in the US. The “struggle” is literally there, but we really do try our best to make the most of what we’re offered. Some of the lesson plans are very outdated, not everyone has a quick access to internet still.
I’ve had my fair shares of field trips, they were always exciting; Museum tour/Weaving goods with elders, Weather station, Senate House, Hiking Historical trails/ National Park hikes, Land grant tours & etc. My parents had us sleep over & our close friends’ homes, Samoans tend to live by so many expectations & keeping the family’s image. One night sleepover is a ‘good’, sleeping too much at someone’s house would start gossip (trust me, I’ve heard alottttt). Second hand embarrassment is such a big thing with Samoans, it’s a norm to share food with your neighbors, but returning a plate(s) empty handed could be seen as many negative things, so usually when you return a plate you’ve exchanged food with them. As mentioned in one of the videos, there are curfew times in most villages around the islands usually around 6/6:30pm , but an obvious signal would always be the crickets around dusk/sunset hrs. Most families expects all their kids to be in the house during those hrs for prayer & then Dinner. You could be the hide N seek Pro , but the moment the crickets starts sounding/crying (whatever you call it), just drop everything & go home. Almost everything are imported into the islands, but our people are still very much dependent on Nature for almost everything. As mentioned in the videos, American Samoa are very much Raw with the culture. Since our islands are very small, there are limits to how high infrastructures & buildings can be, plus, the lands are our own. It is highly not recommended for you to go on someone else’s land/property without permission for obvious reasons. Lands can be left alone for a period of time & no one would touch it, unless it’s rights were handed over. So imagine an area in your city that’s considered “low income” & have them in their own separate bubble by themselves in the middle of the ocean.
We’ll answered!
Thank you for the very interesting video, as always! I am however always saddened to see so much plastic and styrofoam packaging. Where does it all go on the island? These things never bio-degrade, take up space in the landfill, and often end up in the oceans. It was very nice to see you support roadside stands, but then, everything had to go in several plastic bags.
We agree completely that there’s too much plastic and styrofoam used on the island. There is a landfill here that just keeps filling up everyday. We used to have some reusable bags, but one by one they’ve disappeared over the years. It’s time to get some new ones. Thanks for the reminder ❤️
So which village you’re staying at and does your kids like it there. If you haven’t done so you all should visit Manua. That’s where I’m from. In the beautiful village of Fitiuta. Left there in 1978 and only went back in 94. Never been back since. Lots of history there. I’m now residing in Texas lol.
We’re in Nu’uuli for now. We have been to Manu’a and loved it! We stayed a night in Fitiuta and wish we would have planned to sty there longer. It’s such an incredibly beautiful place! ❤️
I see different items will vary depending if its imported goods...
How do you find a permanent place to live there. Retired senior, U.S. citizen, veteran, ...golf?, ...tennis?, etc...
OMG! MOM!!
😇
Do you find that the higher cost of food in American Samoa (compared to the main land) kind of balances itself out considering the lower cost of rent/apartment/ house price?
Hmmm, while rent is still pretty comparable to lots of the Mainland, but the real difference comes for those who live on family land, where there’s no tent or mortgage 🤙
Do you both still live there in America Samoa it is April 2023 and I was wondering what is the difference in the price is now thank you
Hi. What about beer and alcoholic drinks?
I'm sorry it's June 2023 what is it like with prices there in America Samoa thank you
...and there is no membership fee for Cost U Less 👍🏾😊
Good point!
What is the average monthly cost of food per person?