Can I Find $225 in Seattle?
My husband and I are currently in Seattle, lodging at a hotel we've enjoyed in the past. It's centrally located, not a chain and most importantly has a decent continental breakfast.
However, they've jacked up the price of the valet parking to $75 per day, which is before tipping! We're here for three nights, so that's a waste of $225! There's nowhere else to safely park, so you're a captive consumer.
$225!
This is actually how much we were going to spend on the entire hotel bill, as it's mostly covered by credit card points.
I spent the first hour of our mini-vacation moping about the room, but then realized I could turn it into a challenge. I'd already planned on hitting the thrift shops while here, so maybe I could put extra effort into sourcing items to resell -- specifically to make a $225 profit!
Can I accomplish this goal? Who know, but I can have fun trying!
Wish me luck.
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
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I'm really enjoying the challenges you have been doing - so fun to see what you can do!
I look forward to seeing how you meet this challenge, Katy. And I know you will!
Excited to see what you can find to sell. Your eBay postings inspire me.
Oh dear! I've been caught in similar circumstances. So frustrating. But if anybody can raise $225 reselling, you can! I'm looking forward to seeing what you find.
I am in the midst of doing laundry. I have just switched from washers to dryers. In between I went and got gas, got dairy aid at Walgreens, and some groceries at Food4Less. I didn't make it into the house with the bag from Walgreens, so I sure hope it's in the car and not left somewhere.
The generic dairy aid was buy one, get one half off, so I bought two boxes. I bought the individually wrapped packets so I can carry them in my little purse. I keep bottles on hand, too, for at-home consumption. I hope I didn't lose them! I'll check when the laundry is done.
I didn't get any particular deals at Food4Less, except for an extra large bottle of creamer -- the value size -- which was also a dollar off. And some apple cinnamon breakfast cookies 50% off, but let's face it, that's an indulgence.
Other than that, I washed the scarf I found and put it in the Goodwill bag, and I defrosted my fridge, which will help it run more efficiently.
I am having pain issues with both my shoulder and my hip. I have an appointment to have the shoulder examined, and I'll have to make another to get my hip looked at (one body part at a time seems to be the rule for orthopedic appointments!) Even so, I'm going to tell the shoulder guy about my hip and see what happens.
If anyone can do it, you can Katy! Can’t wait to see what you find. Good
Luck! Enjoy your Seattle stay even with the hiked price.
Go get 'em, Katy! If anyone can turn thrifted items into income, it's you!
I agree that $75 for parking is a ripoff royale! But just think of it as insurance against having your vehicle vandalized. Even a small bit of damage would cost a whole lot more. Alas.
I'm currently on a similar quest, trying to make $400 from side-hustle mystery shops in order to pay for a very expensive dinner in 2 weeks. Starting on 3/9, I'm currently at $217, so I may not make it, but I'm still ahead by $217....
I was appalled when my son was a patient at MD Anderson in Houston last summer where parking was $20 a day for valet. It was the same if you did self park and there all day.
Last summer we stayed at a hotel near the Dallas Marketplace where parking was $30/day self park. No break for hotel guests.
I hope you’re successful in your thrifting
It should be against the law to charge patients and their visitors to park.
Two summers ago we had 2 cars at a hospital every day for 6 weeks. Imagine the cost of that if we had had to pay! Thankfully it was free valet parking. The valets knew me, as well as the ladies at the check in desk and the floor nurses!
Goodwill bins south of downtown
Fremont troll under freeway access ramp
New waterfront after viaduct removed
Lovely international district
Uajamaya (sp?) close bygonger
Oh, that's horrible. Feeling like your being fleeced doesn't help you feel like you're having a relaxing stay. I am certain you can make your challenge work.
This is a good reminder to check for hidden costs up front!
Personally, I’d consider this an annoyance and move on and enjoy the trip. That’s an extra $225 for an experience, and you can retrospectively assign some eBay profits to this experience. Sometimes you have to let things go.
Best of luck on another fun challenge. You can do it!!! Go Katy!!
If anyone can do it, *you* can, Katy! Have some fun and try not to dwell on the valet ... you certainly don't do this sort of thing often!
I will watch for your update. I too will need to be very thrifty on any nights away and an unplanned $225 would be a pain point.
Just got done eating BREAKFAST, I kid you not. I suppose it could be considered brunch at this point. Work was insane, and I needed to stop at Safeway afterwards for my Starbucks Double shot stuff (which is still way healthier than Mountain Dew LOL)
Scanned a billion receipts for Pogo, Fetch Rewards, Receipt Pal, Receipt Hog, and Coin Out. Now deciding if I want a second crossanwich...Safeway Select one as much cheaper than Burger King (and better tasting).