Are we broke? Or do we just live in the U.S.?

Something I didn’t expect to encounter on this trip was my sticker shock at how affordable everything is in Taiwan.

Or rather, I should say, being here in Taiwan makes me realize how outrageously expensive things are in the U.S.

A cup of coffee or bubble milk tea here in Taiwan is only NT$30 (less than $1).

A convenience store run for hairspray, wet wipes, and nail polish remover cost me around NT$300 (less than $10).

Car wash = NT$20 ($0.61)

One load of laundry (wash and dry) = NT$100 ($3.07)

A three-piece outfit (skirt, top, and cardigan) = NT$590 (less than $20)

A 30-minute taxi ride across town = NT$505 ($15.48)

Dinner for three people at a modern dine-in restaurant = NT$750 (less than $25)

I’m racking my brain around the fact that people in the U.S. are constantly feeling strapped for cash.

Is it really because we need more money?

Or are we just being charged an arm and a leg for every little thing unnecessarily?

Are we really broke? 🤔

Or do we just live in the U.S.? 😪