There is not much that can be called “frugal” about traveling to Japan. The flights are expensive, the hotels are expensive, transportation within the country is expensive and I imagine that the food is expensive. Because this is a highly organized group trip, (33 children, six adults) there’s not much under my control. Everything is planned out, so it’s not like I can take off on my own and find a cheap noodle joint for lunch. There will will be some free time, but I’m not counting on it.
But my goal with this trip is to be as frugal as possible with the things that are under my control.
For example:
We needed four roll-aboard suitcases, but we only own three. I borrowed instead of bought the extra suitcase. Total cost = $0
Both my son and I had to bring a “formal outfit” for the trip. Because we are casual Portlanders, we started this from square one. I first tried to borrow the slacks and dress shirt from a friend, but my son is rather small, so this went nowhere. However, I was able to find him a new looking pair of trousers at the kids’ consignment shop for $6. I actually head store credit here, so they handed me five dollars and change when we completed the transaction. It turns out we already had a dress shirt, and a child-size tie was found at Goodwill for $3. Total cost = +$2.
I wanted a book to read during the trip, so I stole a copy of paperback copy of The Hour I First Believed by Wally lamb from one of my mother’s guest cottages. Some tenant left it there, and my plan is to abandon the book in Japan rather than cart it around once I’ve finished. My mother is A-OK with this plan. Total cost = $0.
I went to my favorite consignment shops and bought a pretty skirt and a Chico’s Travelers top for myself, which together look fancy. And the top can also be worn with jeans or anything else. Total cost = $30.
I am neither bringing my cel phone nor my laptop. I am bringing my son’s iPod touch, (which came free with our refurbished laptop.) and my husband has set up a FaceTime account, so we can communicate if necessary.
I needed an attractive bag to put host family gifts in, (can’t wrap the gifts, as customs might unwrap them) and I wanted to give something non-disposible. I had seen that Powell’s bookstore was giving an extra $5 to all book sellers this weekend, so I brought in a couple of my son’s books, which they bought for $4. With my $9 in store credit, I bought two darling lightweight canvas totes with the Powell’s logo and some extra decoration. (Yes, they put a bird on it.) Total cost = +$1.
Bringing ”Omigaye” host family gifts is a big deal, but I neither wanted to burden the family with useless knick knacks, nor did I want to spend a fortune. I ended up buying:
- Bob’s Red Mill apple and blueberry granola packets on a day when all B.R.M. products were 40% off at Fred Meyer.
- A box of six-packs of Oreos in different varieties. The host family that my son will stay with is the same family my older son stayed with two years ago. The daughter, Erina then visited us for two weeks that summer, so I know them well. This little slip of a girl motored through an entire box of Oreos one day which was entertaining to say the least. This was very on sale at Safeway.
- Two boxes of organic Tazo Chai tea. It was also on sale at Safeway.
- Two small boxes of Applets and Cotlets, which is a local company. Of course, on sale.
- Two pairs of cool hipster knee socks that say “Portland” up the side for both Erina and the teenage girl in my host family. (I bought these at Sock Dreams, and used a $5 off coupon from The Chinook Book.)
- A bag of Ghiradelli chocolate mints. Yup, on sale.
- A set of Mod-Podged Portland map coasters for each host family.
- A tea towel printed like a vintage Oregon tablecloth for both of the host moms. And no, these were not on sale.
I estimate that I spent $45 on everything for the two host families. I’m pretty sure that I’m actually bringing too many gifts, but I end up doing this.
I do not plan on buying a whole bunch of souvenir knick-knacks while in Japan, although I am bringing $300 in spending money. (What’s leftover I’ll give to my older son who’s going to Sapporo for the summer.) I would like to go to a Japanese fabric store if I get the chance. (I get one free weekend with my host family.) Otherwise I do not plan on shopping my way through the land of the rising sun.
My younger son does plan on emptying out the shops. He has spending money from his grandparents and is hot to spend it all.
I still have a few tasks to complete, like buying slippers, grabbing a couple of smallish Goodwill wallets for both of us, (mine is stupidly huge) and you know, cleaning the house. And, oh yeah . . . I still need to pack.
Wish me luck, I am absolutely dreading the long flight, as my bad back makes extended sitting a nightmare. ARGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CLICK HERE to see what I sent along as host family gifts when my older son went on the same trip two years ago.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”
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