I Moved to Paradise. My Wallet Didn't Survive.

If you think moving to the US Virgin Islands is a dream, let me tell you what it cost me. I spent weeks obsessing over forums, thinking I could outsmart the island price hikes. I budgeted for $6 eggs and $9 milk, but I didn’t budget for the feeling of watching my savings bleed out over shipping, deposits, and a car that barely made it up the hill to my new place. I thought I could DIY my way through—pack my own container, find a cheap rental, maybe even build something. The reality? I paid for a shipping container that sat in the sun for days because I didn’t bribe the right guy. My first grocery run was a gut punch. I tried to laugh it off, but the numbers didn’t lie. Every small decision felt like a mistake I couldn’t undo. I wanted adventure. I got a spreadsheet full of regrets. If you’re reading this at 2AM, wondering if you should make the leap—double your budget, then double it again. The view is beautiful, but the price tag is brutal. #HomeBudgetFail #DIYDisaster #BrokeButCreative #Home