Overly frugal?

Compared to other SE Asian destinations, Bali is quite expensive. Thailand and Malaysia are much cheaper. Vietnam is midway. Bali, quite expensive.

We went to Bali for 9 days. We decided to stay at the Grand Hyatt, in Nusa Dua (the Beverly Hills of Bali) on ... POINTS. Thank you Charles....your gift to us for all your business trips!

We had two adjoining Club Hyatt rooms and they were delightful. They were going for US$250 per room per night...how grateful am I that we weren't paying!! THe resort itself is gorgeous. Four swimming pools, on the water, private beach, storks and other birdies, lizards, fish in the ponds, etc. Beautifully kept grounds.

The weather was a dream. It rained twice, for two hours, and then stopped. Just enough to take the edge of the nailing heat.

Back to bucks.

The resort was....expensive. The cost of a cheeseburger and chips was $100HKD, or $15US.

We were given a complimentary breakfast in Club Hyatt. This consisted of fruits, tea/coffee/juices, yogurt, breads, a couple of cereals, and two small heated items, like sausages and grilled tomatoes.

For me, this was perfectly adequate. Tea, toast and fruit for breakfast? WHat could be better? The kids were appeased that none of the cereal included the word "Choco" in it's title when they discovered the fresh baked chocolate croissants. Charles was content-ish. He would have been happier with lattes, an omelette station, and a few other bonuses one associates with a nice (but not free!) breakfast.

So we would eat our great breakfast and then head off to our activity. If it was a hotel day, when it came time for lunch, because I am cruel and mean, I would up our family and move them off the resort and further up the beach to some indpentent surfer hangout restaurants where a burger and chips was HK$38. It was five minutes walk, but look at the difference in the price!

Speaking of price, we were there for Easter. The Kids Club was hosting a one hour Easter Egg Hunt. They said it was two hours long, but if you looked at the schedule, check in was 30 minutes long, and eating the chocolate and other sweeties was 45 minutes long. I bet explaining and would be a good 20 minutes, re-ezplaining another 15, which left 20-30 minutes for the hunt itself. The cost? US$20 oer child.

Our kids were quite keen on this idea. I told them that (surprise!) i wasn't. I offered to make a deal with them. We would have Easter Egg hunts (and make the blasted gingerbread houses) the Sunday after we returned from Hong Kong, and the kids could choose one special event/activity if we didn't do the Easter Egg hunt. They agreed.

The girls decided on hair braiding

Jasper wanted tennis lessons but settled for a new hat (he loves it)

Seb got to watch a movie approved by his father

And if it was a day in the hotel, after I let breakfast settle, I would get changed into my running kit and go for a run - first up to the temple near the hotel, then down to the golf course, then turn round, go past the resort entrance again, and into nusa dua. there was a little restaurant we went to a few times, and not only was the price right, BUT THEY OFFERED FREE PICK UP AND DROP OFF. That's a savings right there!

Then I would run back to the resort. One time, just as my run was finishing and I was heading back up the drive to the GH, i met a fellow carrying two Starbucks cups.

Starbucks....exactly what our accountant has in mind when he refers to "the Latte factor".

But, it was a holiday and I had been a bit of a frugal miser, and so I inquired if the Starbucks was near or 45 minutes by car away, and he pointed to the shopping complex across the street. YIPPEE!!! I found it, and bought my man some sort of cold vanilla latte drink. It wasn't a condescending "here's a treat because you're saving so well," and I hope he didn't take it that way, it was more, "I know these are something you love, and we're loving this holiday...so it's a good match." Just like MC and I are.

Is too much frugality a bad thing? I think so. You need to enjoy experiences without constantly worrying about cost or ordering the cheapest thing onthe menu. But do kids need to learn the value of money and choices? I do think so. I'm trying to strike a balance. Any feedback welcome.

 

Comments

[Elaine]

I grew up with very frugal parents. No toys or anything else given outside of birthdays ("save your allowance"),vegetables/fruit bought according to what was in season, and so on. BUT...when Dad came home from business trips there were always presents, and every so often when we went out shopping with Dad he might buy us a toy on a whim. We weren't allowed to drink sodas at home (both for money and health reasons) yet when we went on family camping trips there were always sodas for us kids in the cooler with the grownsups' beer.

What am I trying to say? That if you have general frugality but with set windows of splurges -- trips, or special days (Easter?), and the occasional surprise, it works out well. I'm a super-saver as a grownup and sometimes have to allow myself to splurge, but I think that's better than the opposite. And the occasional splurges as a child mean so much more because they're occasional!

[Mo aka Mum aka Maureen Lyons aka M]

I can't wait to read what your father - aka "Frugal Blake" - is going to write in response to this blog! Waiting.....

M xox

[edebock]

I was thinking the same thing, Mo!

[Nina]

Tess, so glad you think that way about kids learning about money and choices. We practice that in our home and it makes a huge difference. My guys are into discussing the options we provide and it's great to see how they weigh things. I don't think this kind of parenting is harmful, it teaches them that none of us have money trees in the back yard and that you have to earn what you get which makes it more precious in the end. Great job!

[Boulder]

You are teaching the value and power of choices! We all have that, but not everyone learns how to execute on the notion.

Sounds like a FAB time & PS looked at the hotel site for pics. Way to go MC for the points!!

xoxo

[GDadLyons]

I am soooooo proud. One of the best blogs yet. Would love to say more but I don't want to wear out my computer.

Lots of Love to all....Dad

[joeinvegas]

Glad you all had a good time. And massages for Charles!

[Boulder]

How adorable is your Dad up there?

Do we get some photos? Should I beg MC for them?

xoxo

[Mel]

Your ol Dad is a good chap! Tess darling, I am also horribly frugal. I can't help it. Gary is a big spender, the kids love going shopping with him. I hate being ripped off though.
You and I should go on holiday...I am thinking a nice youth hostel with a dorm.

[gweiposter]

I'm in the frugal boat with you - for some things. I don't mind spending good money on a good meal, but for a burger and chips? Or worse something the kids take one look at and say "yuck"? My view is that way you save money so you can later spend it without guilt. Like I always take mini-buses and buses, so that on the occasion I need to take a taxi, it's completely justifiable