One of the benefits to workamping at a resort, are the daily freebies you’ll pick up. When we workamped at Riverbend, people were so loopy from the hot water soaking and lord knows what else they were doing, that they often left cool t-shirts, booze, and other sundries behind. Here at Vickers, the guests leave tons of food in the cabins when they check out.
Some days, I’ll bring in a haul like this one. Notice there’s no beer in this photo. Well, there’s only been one or two times that people left behind any sort of tasty alcoholic beverage. Seems like they’ll drink all their booze before finishing their food.
Now, before you go thinking “eeew, sick, you don’t know where that stuff’s been!“, I’ll tell you that I have a few freegan rules about what I bring back: it can’t be home made, must not be in an unmarked package, and be relatively healthy.
Being the tightwad that I am, last month I started doing rough estimates of the dollar value of my daily hauls. In one month alone, I brought in $288 worth of food and other miscellaneous items.
And speaking of saving money, here’s our Road Trip Expense Report for July 2008. We’re saving tons of money here, and have only put in $99 worth of diesel into our tank since June 1st. Town is only 2.5 miles away, so I run most of our errands by bike. Also, notice our food bill. Part of the reason it was so high is because we went to Gunnison and stocked up. Our goal is to not have to go there again. So far so good, I think we have enough provisions till we leave. With a local garden nursery merchant now selling organic produce in town, we’re set.
A paid-for truck is a good thing!
Auckerman, there are some high end resorts that do sell those little packs. This place is all about roughing it though. If there’s nothing in the fridge, eat some tree bark!
Kelly, what’s the best thing you’ve found at the cabins? I’m still waiting for someone to leave a really good bottle of wine behind!
CPR, yeah, don’t remind me about the deals on trucks. I see ’em all the time. Just glad ours is paid so I don’t have to think about the cost anymore.
Unfortunately, only the rising cost of energy prevents Americans from consuming increasing amounts of energy.
Good time to buy a truck though, as a contractor I know recently found out.
Exactly !! Ditto !
and we likely will never have to buy shampoo again !!
We almost had to buy a 2nd fridge until I decided the extra electricity chg. to run it would not be worth it.
You go ironic chef!!!
This takes me back to when friends would visit me on Hawaii and then leave oodles of noodles and like consumables. Folks would spend a premium setting up their kitchens only nine days later leaving a larder that would cast a long shadow if stacked outside.
I know there’s more boodle in selling full-size containers of Ketchup and the like, but why not scale back the size and price ever so slightly and sell Visitor Vittle Packs? You know, not too big not too small and perfectly sized for those just passing through?
Shape ’em like SpongeBob Square Pants and watch the kids forgo the ‘ole salute to Captain Crunch as those same tikes will weep for ketchup and mustard Visitor Vittle Packs! Get ’em in the savory navy says this itinerant condominium condiment catcher.
Over and out – Eric.
Wow! that’s an added perk I hadn’t thought of. You’re doing great on your budget. If you ever make it to Alaska you can add fishing and clamming to your list.
I’m all for eating anything that has acceptable ingredients.
Thanks for the two additions to my vocabulary. This has been a real treat.
Well, it’s off to Sue and Eddie’s pig party. I don’t eat pork, but I do enjoy drinking.