Airports are a terrible place to shop.
However, as I was travelling this week I didn't do a regular grocery shop for my #marktfriday post for 
Now most people who know me will know that I really hate wasting my money. When I'm in the airport and I see this:
You would know that paying $3.59 for a single bottle of Pepsi makes my skin crawl. Especially since I usually pay $3.49 for a 6 pack. Just look at last weeks post!
But airports are a weird place. No liquids are allowed through security screening. I had a 14 hour flight coming up so my options were limited. I could (a) rely on the drinks that they serve on the flight which are small and limited (b) pay a horrible price for a bottle of Pepsi or (c) Bring an empty water bottle and fill up at the water refilling station outside of the airport washrooms. The cheap option is to refill the water bottle of course. But I loathe water and warm water that's been sitting for 8 hours is even worse. I broke down and bought the overpriced cola. I'm so ashamed.
Actually I'm not really ashamed. I save when its not important so I can spend when it is. Having something to drink on a long plane flight IS worth the extra money.
However, the next day when I was continuing my flight I was in a little different situation. I was thirsy and had to wait for about 5 hours in the airport.
There were numerous options for food and drinks.
I could spend $4.50 for a spam sandwich. Yes, it is a real thing in the Philippines and that is in Canadian dollars. P185 in Philippine Peso's. Really though it made me sad to see that price tag because just 8 hours earlier I was here:
Where I got one of everything in there for about $2.50 Canadian (102 PHP).
I could wait for food at that price!
But what about drinks.
It is amazing that the same drink (300ml Coca Cola) cost different prices just a few steps away!
Pepsi isn't listed on this menu but it was the same price as all the other drinks P55
And here is the P70 price tag (sorry its fuzzy
Now that the cheapest drink is about $1.30 while the most expensive is about $2.50. Why would anyone pay double when they can get the same product just a few steps away. Some things I just don't understand.
Now I was conflicted because I knew that once I got to my destination I could get that exact same Coca Cola here....
At my brother-in-laws Sari Sari store. The regular price is P19 (a little under 50 cents). And for those who don't know Sari Sari is is roughly a this and that store where they have a little of this and a little of that. I didn't pay and my sister-in-law didn't want to be on camera so sorry can't show me checking out.
However, there is a third option at the airport. The airport lounge.
Normally this is my go-to place in the domestic airport in Philippines (NAIA 3....there are 4 airports around one runway sytem...its weird but that's a story for another post).
The airport lounge is P500 (about $12.50) so it is the most expensive option.
However, the airport lounge offers free drinks and free food. It is also much quieter, has better wifi, better air conditioning and much cozier chairs.
End result:
Sometimes it is better to wait. That's what I did this time.
Sometimes you just want a drink and want to pay more. I did that in the first airport and if I was really thirsty I would have done it in the second. But please walk the extra few steps to get it at 50% cheaper. I could also say shop around while waiting so you know the average price!
Sometimes its just better to pay more. Sure P500 is more expensive but if I'm eating a meal (P200) and have a few drinks (P55-100each) then it starts looking pretty inexpensive when the comfort factor is taken into account.
Nothing wrong with any of those decisions as long it is an informed decision not just a grab the first thing you see.
Just my two cents worth.
...and my report for this week.
Thanks for reading.
And as always, I love comments :)