Hi,

I get a lot of food at a local store that caters to Asians. I'm a WASP, but made good friends with the owners. I can get bottles of hot sauce, biscuits, canned fish, pretty much everything. It simply takes a sense of adventure and a willingness to try something without English on the label. Usually the owners and their staff will tell me what's good and what's fresh, and I can get some terrific deals.

Where do you get your cheapest luxury goods. While I can buy the rice, put it back while it's cheap, I occasionally like some special items.

Personally, while I like Frank's Red Hot, I don't mind having the Japanese version for 1/3 the price.

Does anybody see the value of putting away special items for trade, or as incentive goods for friendly troops.

CK