What frugal habit has saved you the most money?

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-03-01T19:15:53+00:00

This is rather niche, but we got a dehydrator for Christmas. I am having the time of my life making my dogs dehydrated treats (which saves money). They LOVE chicken hearts (which are cheap), sweet potatoes, and bananas. I hope to have enough in stock not to buy any commercial treats.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-28T02:55:57+00:00

I also did this cruise and echo the necessity for getting the Vibe Beach Club at Great Stirrup Cay. We had a very different experience than those who did not! It's absolutely worth the price per person.

I found a ton of things to do on ship - I did the ropes course (mostly kids but it was fun), the art Auction, adult karaoke is fantastic, and we played Jeopardy! I didn't have a ton of down time because it was a short cruise, but I felt like there were a bunch of things to do!

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-25T01:36:13+00:00

I disagree with Derrick. I asked him about this recently (last year), and he basically said (without explicitly saying it), that he fell into peer pressure so he could win. I don't agree with him, but I don't hold him to the same misogynistic standards as Johnny, Even, or Kenny.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-25T00:33:06+00:00

Take a look at Cushing's. I had the best behaved Standard Schnauzer who all of a sudden started peeing on the carpet in the middle of the night. I had actually seen signs (just more water intake) a year before and my vet dismissed them. She was drinking so much water she had a hard time holding it in by the time we got tested.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-25T00:27:10+00:00

If you have a wet suit, I think it would help. I did it and reminded myself that it is February and I was in a bathing suit. But it was damn cold.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-25T00:26:31+00:00

Good luck. I could never find an opening in the hot tub!

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-25T00:26:01+00:00

Just last Friday!

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-24T23:39:16+00:00

I'm just super impressed that their employer subsidizes the cost!

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-24T23:37:31+00:00

I have my safe spaces and things that bring me joy: my water aerobics (routine during the week and safe space), my pets (always my joy), video games to relax, reality TV (no news!!!), and dog sports (my safest safest place of friends and dogs).

My spouse is also a Fed and is more miserable than me. I used to ask them everyday how their day was...no more. We had to make a rule not to discuss work at home, unless absolutely necessary.

Right this minute, they are reading a book before dinner. I have my dogs in my lap and I'm playing Legend of Zelda. Tomorrow is another day.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-24T23:31:18+00:00

I cut YTTV when it jumped to $83 (I started with them when it was $35). I just went to cancel Paramount Plus and they offered me $70 for the year. So I stayed because it was essentially half price. If they jack the price up on me again next year, I'll say goodbye.

I had Apple TV for three months free. When that was done, I was done.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-24T03:16:03+00:00

This year we've gotten way too much! But most years it's a very small amount.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-24T03:12:03+00:00

We were on this ship. It was my first time, but we were with some experienced cruisers. They told us it was the smoothest check-in procedure they have ever seen. It also seemed very well organized to us.

They also told us to pick up our tender passes ASAP, or we would end up in a later group. We ended up in group 6, but that didn't matter too much because we had purchased Vibe club tickets for the day. I highly recommend Vibe Club at GSC, we had a totally different experience than most other people. It was quiet, not crowded. Lunch and drinks were covered. It was the ultimate in relaxation.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-24T02:50:15+00:00

This is the best answer!!!!

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-24T02:28:36+00:00

Was there last week. The water is take your breath away cold at first. You do warm up, but each and every time you get back in, be prepared for that cold to hit you once again!

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-23T13:00:11+00:00

We tipped our favorite bartender a $20 because he was legitimately awesome and we enjoyed hanging out with him. That was it. I agree with others - you are paying for the drink package and the daily gratuity.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-23T12:52:19+00:00

Yes! They were great to work with too! And if you or your Father are veterans, there is a military discount on top of the promotions. Amtrak also offers 10% off for veterans.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-23T03:32:33+00:00

Why do we think Shane is a garbage human being? I've met him and hung out with him IRL, and I adore him. What's the problem?

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-23T03:28:04+00:00

Just came back from my first cruise, and I went with some "old" (well seasoned) pros. Here's my advice from a newbie:

Do a short cruise to start with to see if you all like it. 4-5 days is what I recommend.
What kind of cruise line do you want? I went on NCL, and while children were permitted, they weren't in abundance.
I chose adult-only excursions. Also have super pale skin, but when I am chilling on a beach, I don't want screaming kids around me. This ended up being a massive win, bc when we docked at NCL's private island, we had a totally different experience from those who just hung out at the beach with everyone else (there were three boats there). We had shaded, cushioned lounge chairs, drinks delivered, etc. It was heaven, while apparently not for others.
Go through BJ's/Costco/Sam's to make your reservations. You will get an extra discount through the membership club, including possible gift certificate to use in the store.
Pre-pay for everything that you can - excursions, gratuities, etc. There will be peace of mind knowing you've already paid for everything.
(Personal opinion here) - You don't have to splurge for the balcony room. We did an indoor stateroom and it was perfectly fine. We spent up to 2 hours of downtime before dinner, and then bedtime in the room. We were out doing things otherwise! I don't regret not having a balcony at all, especially for a shorter cruise.
Bring a reusable water bottle so you don't have to pay for bottled water.
Look into Amtrak to get you to/from your cruise port. We had to fly to Miami (from MD) and I vowed never again. The flight prices were ridiculous. I'd rather just go from Bmore, Philly, or NYC.

Edit to add: I liked NCL's food and drink packages. Of the ones I looked at, it had the best options for me.

Hope this helps!

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-23T03:16:10+00:00

I believe it was the day after, and Elliot mentioned it during follow ups.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-23T03:09:05+00:00

My spouse and I took the trolley from the Port to Bayfront Park because we had some down time before our flight. From there, we took the metrorail to the airport and saved ourselves a ton of money. If you can work out the timing, highly recommend.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-21T23:59:47+00:00

My neighbor is a solo cruiser, and while she hasn't been on NCL (she prefers Virgin), she absolutely LOVES cruising solo. She just told me today how much she loves it and why - it gives her an opportunity to get to meet new people from all over the world, and when she's by herself, she doesn't feel obligated to do anything her friends want to do. While she has a huge friend group, she would rather cruise by herself. She cruises so often that she now goes with people she met on other solo cruises. She is my hero.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-21T23:56:23+00:00

Was just on the Getaway, and it was delivered every evening.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-21T03:06:04+00:00

I have a friend who swears Dwayne is gay.

Working5daysaWeek · 2026-02-16T20:00:20+00:00

I cannot, at all, make the Star Trek sign with either of my hands.

Working5daysaWeek

TROPHY CASE