Yeah, I had a similar realization but mine came from trying to budget during a longer trip, not just short visits. I kept overspending on small things without realizing it, and drinks were one of those sneaky expenses. Something as simple as a bottle of soda can vary a lot depending on where you are, and if you buy it often, it adds up quickly. What helped me was actually checking price comparisons ahead of time so I had a rough idea of what to expect. I started using pages that track product prices globally, and it made planning way easier. For example, when I was trying to compare smaller sizes too, I used this as a reference:
How much does Coca-Cola 500 ml cost globally? It’s not like I check it every day, but it gives a good sense of how prices shift between countries. One thing I noticed is that it’s not just about currency differences, but also taxes, import costs, and even local demand.