Remittance

 Copilot:

Mexico USA; are there reliable statistics about how much money earned in the US by Mexican ex-pats is sent back to Mexico in a year?

Absolutely—there are solid, up-to-date statistics on this. The money sent back to Mexico by Mexican nationals working in the U.S. is tracked as remittances, and it's a major economic lifeline for many families and communities in Mexico.

🇺🇸➡️🇲🇽 Key Stats on U.S.–Mexico Remittances

Total Remittances in 2024: Mexico received $64.7 billion USD in remittances, a record high.

From the U.S. Alone: A staggering $62.5 billion USD came from the United States, accounting for 96.6% of Mexico’s total remittance inflow.

Average Transaction: Each remittance averaged $393 USD, with 13.7 million transactions recorded.

Transfer Method: Over 99% of remittances were sent via electronic transfer.

Top Sending States: Nearly half of the U.S.-to-Mexico remittances originated from California and Texas.

📊 Economic Impact

Remittances represent 3–5% of Mexico’s GDP annually.

The flow has grown consistently for 11 consecutive years, reflecting both economic ties and demographic shifts.

This isn’t just about money—it’s about connection. These remittances often support basic needs, education, healthcare, and even small businesses back home. Want to dive deeper into how this affects local economies or explore trends by region?

Are there analogous remittances to Canada, or do Canadians just spend in the US as tourists?

Great question—and the answer reveals a fascinating contrast in how Canada and Mexico relate economically to the U.S.

🇨🇦 Canada: Minimal Remittance Inflow

Remittances to Canada are negligible compared to countries like Mexico or the Philippines.

Canada is a high-income country, so it’s not a major recipient of remittances. Instead, many Canadians send money outward to family abroad—especially to countries like India, China, and the Philippines.

In 2022, Canada received less than $1 billion USD in remittances, while Mexico received over $60 billion USD from the U.S. alone.

🧳 Canadians in the U.S.: Tourists, Snowbirds, and Shoppers

Canadians spend billions in the U.S. annually, but this is consumer spending, not remittances.

Popular spending categories include:

Tourism: Florida, Arizona, and California are top destinations for Canadian snowbirds.

Retail: Cross-border shopping is common, especially in border towns.

Real Estate: Canadians are among the top foreign buyers of U.S. property, especially in warm states.

                                                                        

So while Mexico receives money from its diaspora in the U.S., Canada’s economic ties are more about leisure and lifestyle spending. It's a different kind of cross-border relationship—less about financial support, more about shared prosperity.

Want to explore how Canadian spending in the U.S. has changed post-pandemic or dig into outbound remittance flows from Canada?

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I have been breezing through a series of videos from this particular vlogger in Japan. The vids are all

 the same: one follows a Tokyo office worker forced to commute 1 1/2 hours each way to work

everyday. He takes his meals in Tokyo, and muses about his 'alienated' life. 

The meals are interesting, and I am getting a sense of what the elements of Japanese food are.

Fascinating if he goes to a Chineses or Korean restaurant to show us his favorites!! He once 

went to  a Starbucks for breakfast and ordered sweet coffee and a hot dog with lettuce. The

comments from North America were incredulous. (NO!!)

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I'm nursing a cold, and pictured is my fruit salad and coffee beakfast. What might this cost me in a Tokyo, Japan casual eatery?

🍊 That fruit salad and coffee combo looks like a gentle hug for your immune system—and a pretty typical light breakfast in Tokyo’s casual cafés.

Here’s a breakdown of what you might expect to pay:

                                                                              

🧃 If you go for a set menu (which many cafés offer), you might get a small salad, toast, and coffee for as low as ¥500–¥7002. But fruit salad isn’t always part of the standard sets, so ordering it separately could bump the price up a bit.

If you're near a convenience store like Lawson or FamilyMart, you could DIY a similar breakfast for under ¥600—fruit cup + bottled coffee. Not quite the café vibe, but budget-friendly and surprisingly decent.

Want me to recommend a few cozy spots in Tokyo that serve healthy breakfasts?

Would the fruit be fresh or canned?

🍍 In Tokyo’s casual cafés and eateries, fresh fruit is generally preferred—especially in places that serve fruit salads as part of a health-conscious or trendy breakfast menu. Cafés like Green Brothers, Citron, and SaladStop! pride themselves on using seasonal, fresh produce sourced from local farms2. So if you’re ordering a fruit salad at one of these spots, you’re likely getting fresh grapes, pineapple, and citrus.

However, in more budget-friendly or chain cafés, some fruits might be canned, especially tropical ones like pineapple or mandarin oranges. It’s a cost and convenience thing—canned fruit is shelf-stable and easier to prep in bulk.

🛍️ If you’re grabbing a fruit cup from a convenience store like Lawson or 7-Eleven, it’s often a mix: fresh-cut apples and grapes, with canned pineapple or peaches tucked in.

So the short answer: mostly fresh, unless you're in a lower-cost or grab-and-go setting. Want help finding a café near you that leans fresh and fabulous?

I was under the impression fresh fruit could get very expensive in Tokyo. Is this no longer the case?

🍓 You're absolutely right—fresh fruit in Tokyo can be expensive, and that reputation still holds true in many cases. But the story has some nuance now.

💰 Why Fruit Is Pricey in Japan

Sold by the piece: Unlike many countries where fruit is priced per kilogram, Japan often sells fruit individually. A single Fuji apple might cost ¥150–¥200.

Luxury fruit culture: Japan has a famous “luxury fruit” market—think perfectly shaped melons, cherries, and grapes that can sell for hundreds or even thousands of yen. In 2024, a pair of Yubari King melons sold for $30,000 USD.

Limited domestic production: Japan’s climate and land constraints mean many fruits are imported, which drives up prices.

🍌 But There Are Affordable Options

Convenience stores: You can find fruit cups or bananas for ¥100–¥300 at places like Lawson or 7-Eleven.

Farmers markets: Seasonal and slightly blemished fruits are sold at lower prices. The UNU Farmers Market in Harajuku is a great example.

Seasonal shopping: Buying what's in season helps. For instance, bananas are consistently affordable at around ¥250/kg.

So yes, fruit can be expensive, especially if you're chasing perfection or out-of-season imports. But if you're savvy—shopping seasonally, hitting up farmers markets, or grabbing konbini fruit—you can enjoy fresh produce without breaking the bank.

Want a seasonal fruit guide or tips on where to shop smart in Tokyo?