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Original poster

Off to the States... what shall i buy

156 replies

cherrypied · 23/07/2023 18:21

I'm thinking cheap must haves

Melatonin and white strips on the list. Im sure DH will beeline for neon shade of fanta!

Anything else?

OP posts:
QuizzlyBears · 24/07/2023 05:39

Gingerboy22 · 23/07/2023 22:39

You get them here now though.

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You can, to a point - but the range is limited and more expensive. Buying in the States is absolutely better!

Also - secret deodorant, whitening toothpaste, neosporin and Naproxen (sold as Aleve I think?) cheddar ranch cheez its are THE best thing. If you’re near a target, they sell good ground coffee in different flavours.

stayathomer · 24/07/2023 05:42

OP, literally nothing is cheap in the USA these days, their cost of living crisis plus the poor exchange rate make it a very very expensive place for a Brit.
Dh and his mum got branded jeans over there that floored Irish or uk prices- they were about a quarter of the price they are in the uk or Ireland.

Thirdsummerofourdiscontent · 24/07/2023 05:44

Massive bottles of TUMS. (Or generic, they seem the same)

TerfTalking · 24/07/2023 06:00

Johnnys seasoning salt. It’s fabulous on steak and chicken etc before you cook the, a jar lasts me about four years, I’ve only ever managed to get it from Walmart.

NotTodaySanta · 24/07/2023 06:08

We're going to the US on Saturday. Does anyone know if you can get stronger cocodamol over there? I use it here for neck pain but the strongest I can get over the counter is 12.8mg.( and the Dr won't prescribe anything stronger apart from naproxen which does nothing 🙄)

Seddon · 24/07/2023 06:17

cherrypied · 23/07/2023 23:23

Its not a price thing.

Its things you cant buy in the UK

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To be fair your OP says 'cheap' so it was a reasonable reply.

I don't have anything to suggest but am following keenly.

AnnaNims · 24/07/2023 06:25

I’m going this week.

I’ll be getting the usual painkillers to last us a year 😂, Crest strips and also Tide with bleach and Bounce sheets for the dryer.

Badbudgeter · 24/07/2023 06:28

FussyPud · 23/07/2023 22:31

A fuck off huge jar of naproxen.

Or watermelon jolly ranchers, as per a pp.

You can buy naproxen over the counter here. Boots sell it as period pain reliever.

FlipperSkipper · 24/07/2023 06:40

Tylenol PM. Best thing for my migraines. Random flavours of M&Ms.

Approaching · 24/07/2023 06:44

Dark mint flavour M&Ms (and other flavours, peanut butter is good)

Pepto Bismol, neisporin. Some other drugs that are a bit different here: melatonin, aleve, neosporin, mucinex tablets, giant bottles of paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Clothes - totally depends on your taste, but there are different things on offer there. I’m big and find there are better plus size ranges - I’ve bought lots from the Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein ranges at Macys. Old Navy fills a low price/good quality niche that isn’t quite done the same in the UK.

Bags of mini wrapped Ghiradelli chocolate are good for gifts (I normally bring one back for the office) - not least because people are shocked that good chocolate exists in America!

noodlezoodle · 24/07/2023 07:09

DreamTheMoors · 24/07/2023 05:01

Oh lucky you!
I’m in the San Joaquin Valley and it was 108 today.

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Ugh, so sorry. It's terrifying really, isn't it.

Original poster
cherrypied · 24/07/2023 07:40

I'm going to San Francisco and Alaska where the weather is hopefully drier than that UK.

These are all amazing!

OP posts:
grayhairdontcare · 24/07/2023 08:06

@cherrypied I'm so jealous that you are going somewhere that sells day nurse .
Stock up on that

FussyPud · 24/07/2023 08:20

Badbudgeter · 24/07/2023 06:28

You can buy naproxen over the counter here. Boots sell it as period pain reliever.

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You can, either 8 or 16 tablets. Or a hundred or so in a jar from the US for a similar price. I have sciatica and arthritis, naproxen works, the GP isn’t allowed to put it on repeat for me because of bizarre practice practices. So being able to just buy a decent amount would be really helpful.

TeddyFluff · 24/07/2023 08:21

Gingerboy22 · 23/07/2023 22:39

You get them here now though.

Show quote history

Yes but way more expensive and not the full range.

JustFrustrated · 24/07/2023 08:25

stayathomer · 24/07/2023 05:42

OP, literally nothing is cheap in the USA these days, their cost of living crisis plus the poor exchange rate make it a very very expensive place for a Brit.
Dh and his mum got branded jeans over there that floored Irish or uk prices- they were about a quarter of the price they are in the uk or Ireland.

I bought Levi's jeans for £12 (after conversion) compared to the £90 in the outlets here.

RoseMartha · 24/07/2023 08:33

Ranch dressing
Levi's
Hershey chocolate kisses

Milk2SugarsAndAShotOfYourFinestValium · 24/07/2023 09:13

NotTodaySanta · 24/07/2023 06:08

We're going to the US on Saturday. Does anyone know if you can get stronger cocodamol over there? I use it here for neck pain but the strongest I can get over the counter is 12.8mg.( and the Dr won't prescribe anything stronger apart from naproxen which does nothing 🙄)

No, codeine isn’t sold OTC at all. It’s more restricted in the US than UK.

Piyo · 24/07/2023 09:18

Everything but the bagel seasoning

Gingerboy22 · 24/07/2023 09:22

JustFrustrated · 24/07/2023 08:25

I bought Levi's jeans for £12 (after conversion) compared to the £90 in the outlets here.

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Levis were $39.99 at the outlets when I was there in May.

Gingerboy22 · 24/07/2023 09:23

Oh yes all the lidocaine creams and gels.

forgotmyusername1 · 24/07/2023 09:23

peanut butter m&m's

SaturdayGiraffe · 24/07/2023 09:29

Big tub of Betty Crocker sprinkles, they still have a proper rainbow of colours instead of the pale ones we get.

QuietDragon · 24/07/2023 09:46

Why is a chatty, holiday thread full of people poo pooing every suggestion?? 🙄

Tarkan · 24/07/2023 10:59

cherrypied · 24/07/2023 07:40

I'm going to San Francisco and Alaska where the weather is hopefully drier than that UK.

These are all amazing!

If you're going to Juneau there are some lovely local jade shops, I lost the jade jewellery I bought there when I moved house and I was gutted. There at least used to be (it's 10 years since I was there) a huge bead shop and they sold wonderful locally carved semi-precious stones which I have stashed away with my old jewellery making supplies.

I would have recommended the Russian shop there for their cosy hats but I'm not sure that's a good idea nowadays. I do still have my matryoshka dolls from there though.

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