Dalia Carmona Marrero, widely recognized on social media as "Dalita la Cubanita," recently shared a video on Facebook detailing the expenses she incurred preparing for her daughter Emma's return to school in Spain. The total cost, nearly 200 euros, caught many by surprise, covering basic supplies and textbooks.
Living in Málaga, this Cuban expat itemized every purchase made to equip her daughter for the new school year. The basic supplies—which included watercolors, scissors, markers, colored pencils, pencil cases, sandwich boxes, and sketch pads—tallied up to 92.20 euros. Additionally, around 90 euros were spent on textbooks and folders required by the school.
What shocked her most was the price of the textbooks. "The books are incredibly expensive. Around 45 euros each. I dread the thought of needing four, five, or six books. Oh, help," she exclaimed in the video.
Challenges of Adjusting to New Terms
Dalia humorously recounted her struggle with local product names. She searched for "plastidecor," not realizing it was the Spanish equivalent to crayons, until a shop assistant at a Chinese store clarified, "That's just crayons, always has been."
The content creator also addressed previous criticisms accusing her of relying on state aid. "A troll left a nasty comment suggesting I live off handouts. I owe nothing to anyone," she firmly stated.
Emotional Moments and Personal Choices
One touching segment of the video featured Emma's wheeled backpack. "I always wanted one of those. Never had it. With the muddy and horrendous, pothole-ridden streets in Cuba, it wouldn't have been worth it," she reminisced.
Dalia proudly noted that her daughter personally selected each school item. "I love that about Emma, her decisiveness. I'm quite indecisive myself, thankfully she didn't inherit that," she joked. Emma chose Pokémon-themed sandwich boxes and lunch kits, complete with compartments and spoons.
Comparing Costs and Realities
Despite acknowledging the high living costs in Spain, Dalia put her spending into perspective. "Life is tough. But hey, I do it all for my princess," she concluded.
Her total expenditure of 200 euros falls below the Spanish national average: for 2026, the back-to-school cost is approximately 505 euros per student with paper books, according to the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU). Basic supplies without books average around 90 euros, nearly matching Dalia's spending on essentials.
The stark contrast with Cuba is evident. Preparing a child for school on the island can cost about 34,600 Cuban pesos, equivalent to almost 11 minimum wages, amidst widespread shortages and soaring prices. A Cuban mother on the island reported spending over 30,000 pesos just to outfit her preschool-aged son, estimating the total could reach 50,000 pesos to cover everything needed.
Dalia's video garnered over 13,500 views and 141 comments, offering an honest portrayal of the challenges faced when emigrating and adapting to a new economic reality, without dramatizing or sugarcoating the experience.
Understanding School Supply Expenses in Spain vs. Cuba
How much did Dalia spend on her daughter's school supplies?
Dalia spent nearly 200 euros in total on school supplies and textbooks for her daughter Emma.
What was the most surprising expense for Dalia?
The high cost of textbooks, approximately 45 euros each, was the most surprising expense for Dalia.
How do school supply costs in Spain compare to those in Cuba?
In Spain, the average cost of school supplies with textbooks is around 505 euros. In contrast, preparing a child for school in Cuba can cost about 34,600 Cuban pesos, equivalent to nearly 11 minimum wages.