Cheapscate 101!!!

[dtsaos]

I also make the lemonade in restaurants, my dh calls it redneck lemonade. And we also share the refillable mugs.

Funny stuff! Last year a couple of times I would fill up our refillable mugs with drinks for the kids, poured into cups in the hotel and then go get myself and DH our drinks. DH was not impressed with me, but if I ever did the "redneck lemonade" in a restaurant he'd probably get up and leave me there!

 

[mrslur]

This is actually my DH's story. He grew up in Wisconsin but his parents wanted to take the 3 kids to DL. His dad built a bench type thing in the back of the car so they could sleep in the car as they camped on their way. They also camped somewhere close to DL. My MIL (who by education is an oral surgeon but was a stay-at-home mom at this point) CANNED entire meals so they could heat them at their campsites. I don't think I could have done this but all 3 kids still have fond memories of the trip.

 

[blueeyez]

I don't know why ANYone would 'bash' these stories. I mean, gimme a break! We spend thousands of dollars to even GO on these trips, so I'd like to know what in the world is wrong with trying to save as much $ as we can here and there!! For some of us, it's all we can do to have enough to just GO, much less to have to spend another [unecessary] $100 a day on meals or other costs-that we could save on by being 'cheapskate'!! For some people, money isn't an obstacle, and that's great for them- but I don't think they should "look down" on those of us who either NEED to save it, or just LIKE to try to save it- if and when we can. Of course, that's JMHO....
We are going August 1-13, and I will DEFINATELY be doing all I can to save WHATEVER I can during our stay. But, I bet we will have NO LESS fun than the other guy who spends a fortune!! (ok, well, maybe a little bit less fun....)

I totally agree with you! We are in that very same situation. The way I see it, Disney will get their money out of us one way or another. There's always those things that you "have" to buy no matter what the cost!

 

[disneymom3]

This is actually my DH's story. He grew up in Wisconsin but his parents wanted to take the 3 kids to DL. His dad built a bench type thing in the back of the car so they could sleep in the car as they camped on their way. They also camped somewhere close to DL. My MIL (who by education is an oral surgeon but was a stay-at-home mom at this point) CANNED entire meals so they could heat them at their campsites. I don't think I could have done this but all 3 kids still have fond memories of the trip.

And isn't that the point, afterall. The kids don't even notice these money saving techniques. They remember being on a fun trip with mom and dad. One trip we got to Vistana long before they had our room ready. We went to the pool (which they allow you to do) and I got all the stuff out of our food supplies, made pb&js, got out some grapes and some chips and gave the kids juice boxes. My kids remember this as their all time favorite day of the whole almost two week trip!

 

[Miniefan]

I am having fun listening to everyone's story. We don't do any major crazy things at wdw to try and save money. I always try to find the best deals and rates on the hotels we stay in, on-site, which this next trip will be the first time that we have stayed anywhere else but the allstars and pop, and my dh and I are still second-guessing ourselves on actually spending that kind of money on a hotel considering the time we actually spend in the room. But on all of our wdw vacations we have always brought a cooler with drinks, milk, sandwich fixings and cereal, fruit, little debbi's small chips and stuff like that to eat for breakfast and lunch. We don't really do any major skimping in Wdw but the reason for that is the fact that I have scraped and saved at home all year to be able to enjoy my trip, you know I take that back, I don't scrape all year to afford wdw but I do save, and try to put money back and really think over purchases when I know I am about to buy something I don't really need. I also buy our tickets at AAA and forgo most gifts opting for money or disney dollars or money put in my vacation fund. Even though we ate breakfast and some lunches in our room at the pop last Oct we still had 3 character meals, and 3 other wdw sit-down meals. We also like to go offsite and eat at the restaurants in town. Oh well, sorry so long, just wanted to offer my two cent!
Kim

 

[westjones]

I do save, and try to put money back and really think over purchases when I know I am about to buy something I don't really need. Kim

We do this too! Almost everytime I think about buying something, I think about our WDW trip and wonder if I really NEED to buy that item or would I rather put the money towards our trip. I have a special savings account set up just for our vacation money and I put money into that every month for our trip.

DJ

 

[Gymbomom]

What a hoot these stories have been.

Thanks for the good read!!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I don't know why ANYone would 'bash' these stories. I mean, gimme a break! We spend thousands of dollars to even GO on these trips, so I'd like to know what in the world is wrong with trying to save as much $ as we can here and there!! For some of us, it's all we can do to have enough to just GO, much less to have to spend another [unecessary] $100 a day on meals or other costs-that we could save on by being 'cheapskate'!! For some people, money isn't an obstacle, and that's great for them- but I don't think they should "look down" on those of us who either NEED to save it, or just LIKE to try to save it- if and when we can. Of course, that's JMHO....
We are going August 1-13, and I will DEFINATELY be doing all I can to save WHATEVER I can during our stay. But, I bet we will have NO LESS fun than the other guy who spends a fortune!! (ok, well, maybe a little bit less fun....)

I wasn't reading it as a tips thread---just an in good humour thread. We need to be careful of what we do say---I've read most as once upon a times--and while funny--we must remember the "rules" are there for a reason and that there are some diehards who will bash and possibly get this thread closed.

It's in good fun--not in good tips for the future

 

[magiccouple2004]

where is that site at??? i am new here so still learning

 

[d4est]

What site are you referring to?

 

[Nini]

Here's more...

My girlfriend were on vacation in the Bahamas and were dangerously low on cash. We knew that we only had 2 days left and that we had to keep money for the entry fee back into the US (do they still do this?...it's been a number of years ). We basically told the hotel that the guy (who visited my friend in our room) must have taken all of our money and we just didn't know what to do!!! Well, since we only had 1.5 days left at that point, he just gave us a couple of meal vouchers AND we were quite frugal with them eating only bagels w/cream cheese! Admittedly, we did use the jelly to "beef up" the bagel LOL!!!

Also, I mostly travel in hurricane season for the discounted air & hotel packages!

I used to travel into NYC w/a girlfriend on New Year's Eve. We would then scout the hottest night spot for New Year's celebrations. When calling one of them, I wrote down the name of the person I spoke with which came in handy when we needed to get in the door for $100 (for both of us!!)...they weren't going to let us but I dropped the name and in we went. Well, that left us with NO money for drinks or ANYTHING!!! We just dealt with the no drinks for awhile and started dancing. It turned out that some very wealthy gentlemen were partying there for New Years as well and were throwing $100 bills around!! I spotted one on the floor and proceeded to put my foot on it, bend down and stuff it in my shoe!!! We now had some money for food AND to buy our doorman (gf's brothers penthouse apt. on wall street...stayed free!!) a cup of coffee. His name was Martin and we will NEVER forget how nice he was to us!!!!!

 

[Mercuti0]

Hilarious thread! Keep them coming!

 

[purplebelle]

These are hilarious! I think almost everyone has a time or two in their life where the cheap-o has to show its face...

 

[Nini]

Hee Hee Hee...my girlfriend and I were Ballroom Dance Instructors so we made practically NO money, just commission on lessons! I have learned to keep my eyes opened to opportunities!!! LOL

Now that I'm married and have a dd3, I just don't get out anymore!! Those were the crazy madcap younger days!!!!! We always travelled to NYC on the metro north and you just never know what will pop up in NYC!!!!

 

[BringBackTapestries]

Are we discriminating against rednecks now? Discrimination!

LOL I'm not a redneck either just thought I'd toss that in for fun.
Around here you can order a high class drink called a "Pine float". Its a glass of water and a toothpick!
On another note:
I have a friend who if she goes to a restaurant and the waitress is rude and the service is horrible she puts a penny under a glass of water and says "She'll have to work for it". Thats one thing I never understood. Waitresses & waiters rely on tips. It only makes sence to be nice to customers. Especially when the customer is being friendly.
In actually, the word tip (T.I.P.) is >To Insure Promptness<. The tip is supposed to be given at the beginning of the meal, and an additional tip given at the end if server goes above and beyond their duties.

 

[CajunDixie]

So I don't feel so bad wanting to say my DS is 2 when he'll be 3 and 15 days! Of course, DH won't let me do it, but I feel much better wanting to do that! Great ideas folks!

When we went to Sea World when DS11 was 3 they never asked his age and just assumed since he was so small that he was under 3 and free. Then when we went the next year they did the same thing. I figure if they don't ask and are just rushing us through it's their problem.

Our first cheapie trip to WDW we stayed off-site (like down past the WalMart) at a place that had 2 bedrooms, living room and a full kitchen for like $30 a night. The kitchen was so-so and I brought my own pans so that worked out great. BUT the bathroom had a leak...the tub drain had a crack or something because the floor would get wet when the shower was used and of course there was no other suite available since they were re-modeling. The other suites around us had peeps that must have been living in them full time and many of them knew each other. One group of non-English speaking guys would be outside talking loudly and it drove me up the wall!! Thankfully they left after the 2nd night.

 

[CheapMom]

This thread is excellent. I can't beleive I don't have a ridiculous story- cheap as I am.
I have done the extra bun double cheeseburger trick (much to the shagrin of DD) I have shared refillable mugs, and I have definately packed my self and my 4 other family members into a subcompact rental car and rode all the way to WDW with at least one suitcase on each of our laps. Even the baby had to hold a bag. I have taken PBJs into the park and I have bought souvies at home before my trip. None of that is nearly as crazy as some of you guys. I guess I am cheap in a normal kind of way.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Okay---several years ago...I had a cousin who was 4.....we carried him through the turnstyle (he had a ticket)--but they didn't ask for a ticket. We ended up giving his ticket to another cousin who's mom couldn't afford an extra day for her--carried the 4yo in again without problems.

I was a teen--I plead that I didn't know any better .

 

[DeanDoug]

We bring lots of snacks, breakfast bars, etc... I even go the the supermarket for a bottle of wine and sip it out of the in-room glass

I have made many a "salad" from the fixins bar... and even washed out my styrofoam coffee cup for a refill at the food courts.

What a rebel!

 

[Gymbomom]

I have had nothing to share, even though I am also a thrifty person.
But, I did think of one thing I have done at Disney. At the Clam Bake at the Beach Club, I LOVE the cookies there. I never have enough room to eat dessert so I always swipe 2 cookies for later. I always feel so cheap when I do that, but I just can't resist!!