We’re starting with the grocery store because it will be the perfect frame for our bright and colorful financial picture. Here’s a selection of things you can buy for 100 rubles*:
- A carton or bottle of milk – about 80-100 rubles;
- A carton of eggs – about 70-100 rubles;
- A loaf of bread – about 40-60 rubles, depending on the store (see below);
- A kilogram of bananas / oranges / apples – about 80/90/100 rubles respectively (on discount);
- Half a kilogram of rice or a box of pasta – about 90 rubles;
- A kilogram of flour – about 70 rubles.
You can also get some yogurt (regular or plant-based) – about 60-70 rubles for a 150 g cup; a very small bag of dried dates – 30 rubles; or even a portion of ice cream – 70-100 rubles; nothing to be ashamed of there!
Looking for a way to plan a very budget-friendly and semi-healthy day of eating? Here are some ideas:
- Breakfast: instant oatmeal + a banana + a small chocolate bar/a small carton of milk = 90 rubles total;
- Lunch: 3-4 potatoes + a tomato + onion = 65 rubles total;
- Dinner: frozen pancakes or stuffed blinis = 70-100 rubles total.
Credit: Catherina Zavodova
Going beyond groceries, shops like Ulybka Radugi or Podruzhka will offer you travel versions of hand cream or sanitizer, dishwashing liquid, and even a protein-laden snack to go – each under 100 rubles.
If you are in a desperate coffee-craving situation, stop by a Cofix and get a more-or-less decent cup of any kind of coffee for 60 rubles. They also have various condiments in the form of sandwiches and baked goods on offer, though not all of them will be within the 100 rubles limit.
Next on our list is Volcheka Bakeries, the absolute heaven for pastry-lovers on a budget. Get a piece of a pie or two, a small tarte, or even a slice of red velvet cake – and you will most likely have some change to spare after any of these purchases (but not all of them combined). It’s also the place to go for accessible fresh bread, with ciabattas sold at 19 rubles and baguettes at 28 rubles each.
And don’t forget about St. Pete’s culture offerings: with a student ID you can get your tickets to, for instance, ROSPHOTO (check out the ongoing exhibition) or KGallery, for exactly 100 rubles.
Finally, if you have a little over 100 rubles to spare and are feeling adventurous, get on a tram (I’d choose route 3) or a bus (my pick’s 128) and travel all the way to its final station. To save time and truly complete this local’s experience, take the subway home from there. This journey will add up to 125 rubles or 85 rubles if you use a MIR payment card.
*all grocery prices as seen at a Perekrestok supermarket.
Looking for more ways to save money in St. Petersburg? Check out our latest guide for top budget-saving tips.
