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Seattle on a budget

by Erika Torres
18 comments

No, it was definitely no budget trip for us. We tried, and failed miserably.

If you recall, we ended up going to Seattle two weekends ago for the city fire department test, which Eric took.

First–it was incredibly cold. Like seriously, I know I’m all Ms. Southern California and everything and you all think I’m weak but I lived in Boston for four years okay? I know cold. I spit in Cold’s face, okay?

But as soon as we were walking from the terminal to the Lightrail, my fingers wanted to separate themselves from my body and seek shelter. I. WAS. FREEZING.

When we got to our room, I ended up putting on all the clothes I had brought for the entire weekend. SO yes, I was literally wearing everything I had brought. I wore my leggings underneath my jeans. I wore my pajama top, a t-shirt, a sweater and a jacket. And I was still cold.

I don’t know how you people from the rest of the country put up with the cold. Seriously. You should all move to Southern California, it was 70 degrees this past weekend!

Anyway, this is what I looked like:

And I was still cold, people.

Ok so I’m glad you all realize how cold it really was. I’m sure you’re reading this and staring out the window at your snow covered streets and cursing me right now. But I swear, it was cold.

The rest of the trip was fun–or as much fun as you can have while walking and literally feeling your ass go numb. No wonder you east coast people seem pissed all the time. I’d be pissed too if it were that cold with no hope of sun anytime soon.

I need my vitamin D.

Oh so yeah, back to Seattle. We walked around all day Friday, for about two hours Saturday, went out Saturday night, and Sunday I was ready to go home by noon. But our flight got delayed, it was raining, and we felt like homeless orphans walking around. We tried shopping but refused to buy anything, so we ended up in the library. Yes, the library.

We had nothing else to do. I was miserable. By the time we made it to the airport, two Long Island Ice Teas helped to cure the homesick blues.

Seattle, it was (kinda) fun…but I hope I’m not calling you home any time soon.

The budget

  • $358.80 Jetblue flights
  • $238.64 Two night stay at the Sheraton
  • $170 cash
  • $17.97 in-flight drinks
  • $37.80 Space Needle tickets
  • $7.71 gloves and hat
  • $246.52 food and entertainment
  • $14.50 transportation

GRAND TOTAL: $1091.94

Oh and best place to eat in Seattle? Umi Sake House for the happy hour, the sushi melts in your mouth, sooo good! And Lola for breakfast. Seriously. Worth every penny.

18 comments

ashley March 17, 2011 - 4:27 pm

I just stumbled on your blog, and everything seemed nice and I was about to hit ‘add to favorites’ until I read this entry. I understand that everyone’s idea of ‘on a budget’ is different, but you should clarify that your idea of a weekends’ vacation budget is around $1k.
My husband and I are ‘on a budget’ and our idea of a budget weekend vacation is around $200. Granted, that never includes airfare, but I can’t imagine spending $250 on food and entertainment alone. And if I’m on a budget, the thought of spending money on in-flight drinks is ridiculous.

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Newlyweds on a Budget March 18, 2011 - 4:05 pm

Well Ashley, you obviously can’t read very well since it states in the very first sentence of this post that we did NOT stay on budget and went overboard.

um…so yeah….

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Daniela March 23, 2011 - 8:56 am

Ok so I was about to say “wow, this Ashley girl needs to take a chill pill and read through things more carefully’ but then I saw this response to her and now I want to say “wow, this blogger has an attitude problem!” you should probably consider being more tactful as this response turned me off your blog!

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Red March 18, 2011 - 5:10 pm

Living on a budget and vacationing on a budget are two separate things. The costs add up when flying to a place you’ve never been, staying in a hotel, and eating out. I think it goes without saying that it’s their money, and they don’t need your approval to spend it.

Erika does a kick ass job at LIVING on a budget. She’s got a gem of a blog here, so if you move on, you’re the one missing out, not her.

Good riddance! p.s. How about leaving an email address next time instead of hiding behind an anonymous “ashley.” Kind of easy to be an ass when no one can really confront you on it, huh?

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Daniela March 23, 2011 - 8:58 am

For the record I entered my email address in the reply i made obove and into this one. I dont believe they show unless you have a login or a website address you can type in. I have neither.

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Mila March 17, 2011 - 12:24 pm

Good choice on Umi!! That’s in my neighborhood, and I frequent that place on a regular basis. Awesome happy hour for sure. Too bad you didn’t have a great time overall. I would suggest that people visit Seattle in July, August or even early September. It really is beautiful in the summer.
A budget-friendly tip if you ever do another visit: take the water-taxi from the pier downtown over to West Seattle/Alki beach. It’s only $3 and a great way to spend the day when it’s nice out.

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IntrigueMe (Quarter For Her Thoughts) March 16, 2011 - 11:58 am

Well I sure hope I have more fun in Seattle next month than you apparently did!! I also hope I don’t spend as much cash!

And cold…? Even Bostonians don’t know cold! You come to Cananda, I’ll show you cold!! πŸ˜›

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Maegan March 11, 2011 - 8:12 pm

I love how bundled up you are for Seattle!! Haha.

My inlaws live in Seattle, we go a few times a year … I love it there!!

Hope you had a good time πŸ˜‰

Maegan

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Red March 9, 2011 - 11:22 am

“No wonder you east coast people seem pissed all the time.” LOL! You crack me up. πŸ˜‰

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Shannon March 8, 2011 - 6:51 pm

Dude, I would like to extend a big old suck it to ya. We WALKED to go out to eat tonight in 25 degrees while it shit huge flakes of snow on us and oh ,yea, it poured fucking rain all day so it is a skating rink and impossible to drive ANYWHERE. We are expecting 8 inches of snow on top of that ice and I have to drive 30 miles in it to work tomorrow AM.

Oh right, the trip, glad you had fun. Seriously. I miss Cali….so wish i was in 70 degrees….so when are you coming to visit???:)

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Teacher Girl March 8, 2011 - 6:18 pm

I agree, it was an expensive trip, but I don’t think it was an unrealistic amount to spend on the trip. It seems like you did well. I really want to go to Seattle sometime, but I think I’ll go in the summer. It was 80 degrees today where I live!

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Stevie March 8, 2011 - 1:49 pm

As other commenters have said, that was definitely not the norm for our winters. They’re mostly pretty mild (in the 40s and 50s). You’ll definitely have to come back in the summer when it’s 80 degrees and sunny with a nice breeze. It’s perfection.

Umi is a great spot! Not my favorite sushi spot, but definitely a good meal.

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Babybluewater March 8, 2011 - 12:32 pm

Funny post and picture πŸ™‚ LOL! I HATE BEING COLD, so I totally get it. Sounds like it was an okay time overall though. Welcome back to sunny Southern CA πŸ™‚

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Meghan March 8, 2011 - 9:09 am

Seattle was much colder than normal that weekend, I remember being freezing! The winter definitely gets old here- by March I am so ready for some sun. Southern California sounds amazing right about now! In any case, glad you had fun, and hope you can come back in the summer when it’s 80 and sunny. πŸ™‚ The nice summers (almost) make the grey/rainy winters worth it. πŸ™‚

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Daisy March 8, 2011 - 7:30 am

Haha you know whats funny? I’m from Vancouver, just a couple hours away from Seattle, and you were around here during a cold snap. I swear it was way warmer last year at this time!

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jobo March 8, 2011 - 6:43 am

That picture is hilarious! I am glad you (kinda) had fun and fully appreciate the Southern California sun! I know I do when I am there! πŸ™‚ (and I agree with NY Sooner Girl, this is why we’re all pissed off all winter!)

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nysoonergirl March 8, 2011 - 6:21 am

This is preciously why I’m pissed all the time! This is a horrid, horrid place!

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brandt @ New House on the Blog March 8, 2011 - 5:24 am

I think Southern California has made your blood thin!!! I’ve only been to Seattle once, but it was quite the whirlwind 3-day trip. The Pier is essential to visit, the downtown where the Marineers (baseball) and Seahawks (football) play is kind of cool to hang out in, and the suburbs are beautiful. I’m used to forrested oaks and other random trees here in Michigan, and I was really struck by just how many evergreens they’ve got there.

AND THE FISH! Ohh the fish there is sooo good, caught fresh right from the pier! Mmmm!

Who knows, if you would have had longer, I’m sure you would have been able to do more, but with Eric doing his testing, it was probably just a quick excuse to get away.

Does this mean since you’re back you’ll be blogging more??? HMMM????

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