A mother and her children embark on a budget-friendly vacation to Las Vegas. She is extremely frugal and has many ways of saving money, such as reusing tea bags, washing dishes with them, and boiling tea leaves to clean the floors. For their trip, they pack as much food as possible to avoid buying expensive meals, wear all their clothes on the plane to avoid checking luggage, and take a free shuttle instead of a taxi.
Upon arrival, they opt for affordable activities, such as visiting a mini Grand Prix, where they can ride go-karts for $7.50 per ride. They also find a cheap amusement park with an evening ticket option that costs $19.99 per person, allowing them to enjoy the attractions for two hours.
Throughout the trip, the mother's extreme thriftiness is showcased, often at the expense of her children's comfort and enjoyment. Despite this, the family appears to have a fun and memorable vacation.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The speaker's mother is a single parent who is very thrifty.
2. The mother reuses milk cartons and plastic bags.
3. She saves up to $300 a year by reusing these items.
4. The speaker's family showers twice a week for 10 minutes.
5. A 10-minute shower in Colorado costs around 45 cents.
6. They save $335 a year on water bills by showering only twice a week.
7. The family wears all their clothes when traveling to avoid checking luggage fees.
8. Checking luggage costs $25 per suitcase for a total of $75 for 3 people.
9. The family brings food from home when traveling to avoid buying expensive food.
10. Airlines allow passengers to bring dry food on board, but wet foods and liquids must be stored in 100ml bottles.
11. The family takes a free shuttle to a nearby hotel and then walks to their own hotel to avoid paying for a shuttle.
12. The shuttle from the airport to the hotel costs between $10 and $20.
13. The speaker's mother gave her friend $20 to buy evening tickets for a ride.
14. The evening ticket costs $19.99 per person and allows access to all attractions for 2 hours.
15. The family goes to a mini Grand Prix to have fun at a low cost.
16. A ticket for a ride costs $7.50, but you can do up to 8 laps with a single go-kart.
17. The family divides the laps among themselves to make the most of the ride.
18. The speaker's mother also participates in the go-kart ride and does well.
19. The family spends $119.97 on tickets for a ride, but it's cheaper than eating at a buffet.
20. A buffet in Las Vegas costs $99 per head, including drinks.
21. The family prefers to bring their own food from home to avoid eating at expensive restaurants.
22. The speaker's mother is very strict about saving money and avoids spending on unnecessary things.