My favorite thing about living abroad is the now-or-never mentality that pushes you to discover new things each day. But when you are on a budget, confronted with a never-ending wealth of options upon which you would like to spend that budget, corners must be cut, luxuries put aside. But that doesn’t mean you have to go hungry.

One of the most important characteristics of a meal is its flavor. If you don’t have the money to combine gourmet ingredient into delicious sauces, you should look for those simple ingredients that pack a punch. I’m talking about hot sauce. Hot sauce can single-handedly correct most mistakes made while bargain purchasing at the grocery store. Surprised that the tomato sauce you bought in a bag has a pungent chemical aftertaste? The hot sauce will drown that out! Did you think beans and rice yield their own sumptuous flavors straight out of the pot? Douse it in hot sauce and you will see the difference! In countries where vegetables are dirt cheap, try making your own spicy salsa of tomatoes, garlic, onion, cilantro, hot pepper, lime juice, salt and pepper.

In countries where the water is drinkable, take advantage! Powdered drinks can help keep you hydrated by masking any unfamiliar flavors you might have been avoiding in the water. Also, Knorr and Maggi are two very popular soup brands throughout Latin America, costing about 50 cents on average for a 4 to 6 serving size package. If you need a little more substance than that, throw in an egg while it is boiling and stir briskly for some egg-drop soup, and add a little hot sauce for flavor.

Another thing to focus on when looking for substance is starches. Beans and rice and mashed potatoes are my favorites. While beans and rice are best when spiced up Costa Rican-style with cilantro, onion, red pepper and Lizano sauce, they can take on any flavor and fill you up well. Mashed potatoes just require a bit of milk and butter, and of course a little hot sauce to spice things up.

And when a kitchen is not available or you need a break, do as the locals do. In almost all Latin American countries restaurants offer you a plato del dia or menu del dia. These are pre-defined meals that may include several courses, and generally come with your beverage included in the price. These can run as cheap as $1 if you find the right place. If you are finding menus in English, that is probably not the right place.