I used to be a shopaholic when it came to clothes, shoes, gadgets, and items at a 99-Cent store (more like a 99-Dollar store by the time I finished shopping).

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Although I make out a list, I must go down every aisle— just in case I forgot something.

And, I always try new items.

Here in Israel, I do the same thing. But I am on a budget.

A bottle of orange juice costs about $8 and is smaller than the gallon size I would get in the States.

A large roll of paper towels costs about $4/roll. Although gasoline has skyrocketed in the States to well over $4/ gallon, that is cheap compared to Israel prices, and prices in the rest of the world.

Yesterday I went to the butcher shop to get fresh meat and salmon.

The good thing is there are no aisles for me to go down.

The Down Side

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The bad thing is I tell the butcher what I want , and I find out later what it will cost me.

Then I called the vegetable store, placed an order over the phone for fresh fruits and vegetables. They delivered everything to my door about 2 hours later.

Today I went to the nearby supermarket for everything else but the meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.

My basket overflowed with items, having gone up and down the aisles at least twice.

Earning a Few Gifts

When I went through the checkout stand, I found out that I am such a good customer that I had “earned” a lot of free items like sponges, napkins, wine and a jar of pickles.

I walked home with nothing to carry because all my packages will be delivered to my door in a couple of hours. I just love to shop in Israel!

This morning I got a message on my cell phone that one of the clothes’ stores I go to was having a 2-for-1 sale on everything in the store.

In the mail I got a coupon for $10 off at another market in town.

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Always a Bargain

With so many little shops and corner markets competing with the large markets and department stores and other stores at the mall, there are always bargains to be found.

The best part of all occurs when you are ready to pay for what you bought. The salesperson at the shop or market will ask when you write a check or put it on your credit card how you want to pay — today, in 2 or 3 installments, or you pick a day it should go through your bank.

There was a woman in line in front of me who paid in cash but was short about $10.

The checker gave her the groceries and told her to go home and return with the money at the end of the day.

People here trust one another. Amazing!

L'hitraot, Shachar