Is it just me?

[solo1]

I evidently have become a tightwad, a cheapskate, a miser, a hoarder, etc. Well hoarder doesn't cut it since I'm not hoarding money.

Having been retired since 1991 with a pension that hasn't changed, social security that hasn't gone up, interest rates on saving in the .35 %, and an APT rental fee that just went up (again). etc. you get the pic.  The one nice thing for me is that both of my cars are in good shape and all mine.  Therein comes the BUT.

I have severe heartburn over paying more than 60-70 bucks for a halfway decent motel room.  I don't need wifi, indoor swimming pool, conference room, or (ugh) exercise room. No complimentary drinks, no candy on the pillows, etc  A refrigerator is nice but all I need is a quiet clean room with a decent bed.

In my views, it's not a big problem for working people whose salaries have kept up with inflation (i could be wrong about that.)

I used to pay $65.00, plus tax for a nice Hampton Inn motel room.. Now it's $115.00. 

Quite frankly, it's cutting into my travel plans. i hesitate to plan for overnight, especially since one of the things that comes with old(er) age is sleep problems.

 I'm not asking for advice, jes spoutin' off.

[gordonv]

Advise or not, here you go.

It's "easy". Find someone who will travel with you, get a double bed room and share the cost. You also get a ridding companion. Only issue might be someone who is noisy. I'm told I snore, but since I never hear myself, I don't believe them, and besides, I still get a good night sleep.

When I came back from IZ15, I took 3 days ridding home instead of the 2 getting there. I had noticed these advertisers at the Rest Stops along the hwy. There was one for hotels. Showed the West Cost I think, and prices where listed. Some where very inexpensive, like $59 week night. I hate the high cost of just wanting a place to sleep.

Some like the camping side of things, but weather permitting. A trailer would help with bringing some more of the comforts of home, and should pay for itself in a few years based on your travels. I think Paul mentions something like $30 at KOA?

[old2soon]

Wayne-You ain't the Only one what noticed How cursed HIGH it are to lay ones head down on the road whilst traveling. Ross and I are planning on 3 days to I-17 this year which at minimum is 4 more nights on the road over and above the cost of Ground Zero. Lots of our friends are coming from the East coast-THAT ain't gonna be cheap either. Trick is finding Mom and Pop operations that are not ONLY reasonable on the price but they HAVE too be CLEAN. Motel 6s ain't too awful bad but they are STILL in the 70-80 buck a night range. AND ya still gotz ta eat and THAT my friend-eating out-can git a bit spendy also!   I save all year for Inzane-BUT-to me anywho-it are WORTH every nickel I spend!   Sometimes I git the feelin that life is whizzin on by me at warp speed!    Gonna have to start plotting our route here AND figurin zackly WHERE we wanna put our heads down. RIDE SAFE.

[fudgie]

I agree with hotel rooms. When I travel I research and book months early. I use Orbitz a lot. I go for a lot of mom and pops now. Depending where you go you may find a cheap room. Ive paid anywhere from $50 for a room with a full kitchen to $275 for a room with 1 bed. Depends what you want and find.

I use 'the government rate' ALOT. EMS is under Dept of Homeland security, for now. So this helps a lot. Sometimes its $10 off or over a $100 off. Don't know if you can use a gov rate if you have a credentials from being in a office in NH. Worth a try. Most hotels never ask for ID.

[MarkT]

I make it a point to hit the Blue Highways when traveling.  That is, state highways have good enough throughput with speeds generally 65-70 while you go through towns which is fine for me - prefer local color, mom & pop non-franchise food and real motels where you park outside your door.  Making loading up easy and prices generally under $50. People you meet are friendly when they are well away from the interstate system, and fuel prices are usually better than the freeway as well.  Traffic generally much less. You can stop to read historical markers and visit museums and historic stuff along the way. The tradeoff is you won't burn miles as fast if that matters.  For me, the journey is also the destination.  And love to start the day with a great local breakfast.  NOT McDonalds.

In a month our ride to GOTF will unfortunately be almost all interstate.  Just because we need to make good time and it's a bit safer when pulling a heavy camper trailer to not have cross traffic. But we will exit the freeway and hit state roads when it's time to find a motel. The Zumo is really handy for impromptu navigating.

I generally ask for the AARP discount.  Not that I'm a member - screw their liberalism - but I generally have one of their "temp" cards with me - though have never been asked for it. Saves $5 or so generally.  We don't bother to camp on the road until the destination as that only saves about $15 which isn't enough savings to make up for setting up camp, effort & time wise. Plus you get the shower which may or may not be at a campsite.  Our Timeout camper takes up to 20 minutes or so to setup with practice so if we weren't lazy it might be smart to use it on the road but "at the end of the day" - literally - when tired from a day in the saddle it's so much nicer to get a room and a hot shower and a nearby hot meal with no effort. I use the Zumo, keep the dB current, and search for the word "motel" - most of the time that word will get you a proper motel rather than a building with an aisle to your room - though some yahoos misname their business. If you're on the Blue Highways - that's the type of lodging prevalent in most towns anyway.

[LandElephant]

Something you may look at is AirBnB. I Just traveled 5 days in one bedroom home shares with cooking privileges for about $50 a night. Was apprehensive atfirstbecause I am a veryprivate individual butmany of the host werenice, accommodating, and the places were clean. One was on a farm with plenty of space and the wifeprovided someof the bestsugar cookies I've ever had.

That's about 2 nights in a Hampton Inn. Many of the people are retirees trying tomake some extra money. Clean room, bathroom, and if you want your privacy just let them lnow and most times they will leave you alone.  One place had a old Golden Retriever that enjoyed just laying by your feet and getting petted a co I ple times.

Although most of us are set in our ways, the internet, smartphone apps are making it easier anc better to travel.

Charlie Morse
Land Elephant

OBTW, not giving advice but maybe some information you can use to stretch you dollars. Travel safe.

[Jess from VA]

I also get heartburn from motel expenses.  

Sharing is great, but it's not easy to arrange when riding solo most of the time.

And the extra fun of wondering if the cheap ones I insist on staying at will have wildlife in the sheets.

I always do a close inspection, and I've been lucky.

It's the bed spreads sparkling under a black light that give me the creeps.  Unwanted DNA samples.  Hey, Bill Clinton slept here.

The cabin in northern MI, that had one big roof leak in a big storm all night, right into the bed.  Not the wet dream I was hoping for.

The ancient dark dungeon-like room in Sicily, that had one bare bulb hanging from bare wires, that when you switched it on gave a good 220 shock, every time.  I was pretty sure this was intentional, to hold electrical expenses down.

And I've been lucky enough to have some couple going for olympic gold next door, banging the headboard off the wall all night.  Several times.  And all the calling for God.... is this really the time you want him looking in on you?

And the one time in Los Angeles with an enraged crackhead pimp trying to recover one of his girls by kicking in random doors.  My wife was wondering if I would really shoot him with the Hi Power.  Only if he comes in the room.  

It's not just a trip, it's an adventure.    

[MarkT]

It's the bead spreads sparkling under a black light that give me the creeps.  Unwanted DNA samples.

Shees.  Don't tell my wife.  We'll never stay in an apparently clean $50 room again. I knew that about the bedspreads and never touch them but have not brought my powerful blacklight to check on road trips.

I could tell you about the nightmare whore's hotel we stayed in, in Omaha, when we had a breakdown on a trip and the tow truck driver dropped us off there.  We were stuck.  He asked, I told him what type of place "a clean, family type hotel, not really expensive".  "I know just the place for you."  He heard only the last part apparently. Dropped us off and vamoosed fast.  What an Ahole.  Jerk must have laughed all the way back to the shop. The place had roaches, mouse turds, yellow sheets, toilet paper shoved in the door peephole, viewer's holes drilled through the wall next to the bed, check-in standing outside bulletproof glass and the rooms rented by the hour. Head boards banging, threadbare walls with voices - "aren't you done yet?"  - "just a minute..."  BANG BANG BANG. And it was no area to be walking at night, and in the winter - we were on a Christmas trip. Bad enough walking the 2 miles to the AAMCO in the daylight next morning.  We slept in our clothes and got out of there ASAP.

BTW the AAMCO shop stole my transmission "while they were at it", replacing my broken transfer case on my Eddie Bauer Bronco II. It wouldn't stay in gear - had to hold the shifter in O.D. all the way to Kenosha WI. I refused to pay the bill - it was on a credit card - so they ruined my credit.

"Double A - BEEP BEEP M C O"  Remember that - and go somewhere else for your tranny work.

I never did get even with those bastards.  To this day I owe them say an arson attack. This was in the mid-90's.

[solo1]

I think my age of 89 next month gives me quite a few problems.  Many older persons, including me, have a big loss of melatonin. It's hard to get to sleep, it's hard to stay sleeping, and ,for me, it's hard to sleep all night in a bed.  I have a favorite chair.  Motels do not  . At Corydon last October, I woke up and drove home at 5AM with only four hours of sleep. Not the fault of the motel.

 I developed three rules over my many years. ONE: I will not subject anyone else to my getting up at all hours.  TWO: I will not stay as a guest at any friend's home (Very bad experiencing) . THREE: I cannot knowingly stay in a motel that has had cats in the rooms, I'm allergic to cats.

I had to laugh   when it was mentioned that camping would  be another way. NO WAY!  I did my camping at a much younger age, both in the Army and hunting. Now my arthritis bones wouldn't stand for that!  Nothing less than a decent motel room for me. BTW, keep in mind that I drive a Miata, I don't ride any more.

  Brian, I do have both AARP and a government ID from New Haven.  I don't like AARP but I have to be a member because of my med insurance, a long story.

I also had a list of mom and pop motels BUT the Wayne motel was listed here in New Haven.  It was known as a Detroit drug meeting place. The other small motel here in New Haven, Home Town Inn, was also mentioned but our LEO's call it the Homeboy Inn, nuff said.

I'll check into some of the ideas here.  Thanks everyone.

[Gavin_Sons]

If 115 bucks is difficult to swallow don't even look at Disney hotels. We just booked a 7 night stay from October 6th through the 12th. $370 a night. That is just the hotel, does not include park tickets or food. We did add park tickets and a dining plan. Thoight I was goimg to have to get a second mortgage.    The things we do for our kids.

[solo1]

I thought that I'd try to put things in perspective just for the halibut.

I priced a small room with no view at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in the UP of Michigan. This is the cheapest room.
A beautiful hotel built in the late 1800's and the island prohibits any cars, just horses and bicycles.

Granted, this is a great place.  The price for ONE night includes a breakfast, a buffet lunch, and a five course dinner (suit and tie required).

Here it is.  One night is $563.00, hotel (?) tax is $106.97, island tax is $11.26, total of $ 681.23 and THEN the 6% Michigan tax is added on the total ($40.87) for a total of $721.10. An added expense if you have luggage is a piddling $8.50 to and from the ferry dock (Remember no cars allowed).

The good news is that no tipping is allowed


Kinda puts things in perspective, doesn't it?.  

[Jess from VA]

I went there with my family when I was a kid.

We couldn't afford it either.

Some nice history, but a big tourist trap.

[..]

This might help

http://www.momandpopmotels.com/

http://motelguide.com/

[art]

I thought that I'd try to put things in perspective just for the halibut.

I priced a small room with no view at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in the UP of Michigan. This is the cheapest room.
A beautiful hotel built in the late 1800's and the island prohibits any cars, just horses and bicycles.

Granted, this is a great place.  The price for ONE night includes a breakfast, a buffet lunch, and a five course dinner (suit and tie required).

Here it is.  One night is $563.00, hotel (?) tax is $106.97, island tax is $11.26, total of $ 681.23 and THEN the 6% Michigan tax is added on the total ($40.87) for a total of $721.10. An added expense if you have luggage is a piddling $8.50 to and from the ferry dock (Remember no cars allowed).

The good news is that no tipping is allowed


Kinda puts things in perspective, doesn't it?.  

Damn at those rates you could stay at the Trump hotel,HAHA.  I'm in the same boat, wnat to go places and on a stagnent SS an pension that hasn't changed I have to be careful also. We took out a 2nd on the house to reduce the monthly outgoing and It helped a lot. Vehicles are all paid off and the only bills are house and one charge card plus utilities.I'm lucky for medicare an supp. pays 95% of all Dr. bills. It would be great to have a long vacation trip but will have to settle for a RV trip. I bought a class B motorhome and I like it a lot, gets the job done and small enough to handle in town and traffic. I had a 30' MH and hated driving it. Been retired since 05 and at 74 I'm hoping for more time to enjoy retirement.

[solo1]

Tnx Paul, added to favorites.  I got a big kick out of one in my hometown.  It was pay by hour (or week)and now out of business.

[F-six]

I think my age of 89 next month gives me quite a few problems.  Many older persons, including me, have a big loss of melatonin. It's hard to get to sleep, it's hard to stay sleeping, and ,for me, it's hard to sleep all night in a bed.  I have a favorite chair.  Motels do not  . At Corydon last October, I woke up and drove home at 5AM with only four hours of sleep. Not the fault of the motel.

 .....

I had to laugh   when it was mentioned that camping would  be another way. NO WAY!  I did my camping at a much younger age, both in the Army and hunting. Now my arthritis bones wouldn't stand for that!  Nothing less than a decent motel room for me. BTW, keep in mind that I drive a Miata, I don't ride any more.

 .....

I'll check into some of the ideas here.  Thanks everyone.

Stop moaning, you're only 89! 

[Firefighter]

I feel the same as you. The hotel cost makes me stay home sometimes. This year I thought I would try the Capital One Venture Card. I am up to 50 something thousand miles which I am supposed to be able to use on hotel rooms?? So I am charging every expense that I usually use a debit card for and see if it can give back in the way of hotel cost?? The card cost 50 dollars a year so I will have to make up for that also or I will cancel it.

The only down side so far is it is too easy to charge and too easy to over spend, will see? I normally don't stay at hotels unless I am on a ride.

[fudgie]

 I also had a list of mom and pop motels BUT the Wayne motel was listed here in New Haven.  It was known as a Detroit drug meeting place. The other small motel here in New Haven, Home Town Inn, was also mentioned but our LEO's call it the Homeboy Inn, nuff said.

I'll check into some of the ideas here.  Thanks everyone.

That's funny! For my summer trip I researched a lot of the mom and pops. Took several hrs. Reviews, locations etc. Im also a coupon cutter out of them travel mags.
 

[gordonv]

The only down side so far is it is too easy to charge and too easy to over spend, will see? I normally don't stay at hotels unless I am on a ride.

I sort of do the same, CC for every expense I can place on it. I used to still pay cash/debit at the grocery store, but since they all now accept CC I use it there too. I go home, and then pay the bill off the same day (used too). That way when the bill comes, there is little to no balance. I get cash back, no points. Computers do have some other uses.

[cookiedough]

I thought that I'd try to put things in perspective just for the halibut.

I priced a small room with no view at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in the UP of Michigan. This is the cheapest room.
A beautiful hotel built in the late 1800's and the island prohibits any cars, just horses and bicycles.

Granted, this is a great place.  The price for ONE night includes a breakfast, a buffet lunch, and a five course dinner (suit and tie required).

Here it is.  One night is $563.00, hotel (?) tax is $106.97, island tax is $11.26, total of $ 681.23 and THEN the 6% Michigan tax is added on the total ($40.87) for a total of $721.10. An added expense if you have luggage is a piddling $8.50 to and from the ferry dock (Remember no cars allowed).

The good news is that no tipping is allowed


Kinda puts things in perspective, doesn't it?.  

for that price per night, a simple NO or SORRY is well within my vocabulary.

I refuse to pay over 200 bucks for a hotel no matter where I go.  Honestly,  much over 100 bucks per night is a total ripoff no matter where I stay.  

If I had my way,  I would camp inside my enclosed trailer with sleeping bags and air mattresses bringing some needed essentials and park alongside the road or in a parking lot somewhere leaving it hooked up to my truck for FREE.  

good luck finding even a mom and pop Motel for under 50 bucks nowadays.  camping fees are 20-30 bucks on up per night and that is suppose to be camping when say 20 years ago it was 8-10 bucks per night to camp at a campsite.

Even a lot of campsites locally privately owned now are pushing 50 per night with activities for the family just pitching a tent.  No thanks, would rather attempt to find a motel/hotel for 89 per night with free continental breakfast.

[solo1]

Even a lot of campsites locally privately owned now are pushing 50 per night with activities for the family just pitching a tent.  No thanks, would rather attempt to find a motel/hotel for 89 per night with free continental breakfast.
QUOTE by Cookiedough.

I'm afraid you're right. That's the new standard.

[henry 008]

If 115 bucks is difficult to swallow don't even look at Disney hotels. We just booked a 7 night stay from October 6th through the 12th. $370 a night. That is just the hotel, does not include park tickets or food. We did add park tickets and a dining plan. Thoight I was goimg to have to get a second mortgage.    The things we do for our kids.

we're gonna miss you by a couple weeks. my wife, daughter, son in law, and 2 grandkids are going oct 21 thru 28 

[Willow]

The value of a dollar just isn't what it was twenty years ago.  It changes every year, doesn't it?  The cost of businesses providing hotel rooms or campsites is not the same, in dollars, that it was twenty years ago.

If you can't or choose not to afford the price of an offered product then don't buy the product.  Let's not state or imply that someone is gouging us for unreasonable profit unless we've done some research to support such a claim.

Everytime I remember what was the cost of something to me in the past I need to place next to that thought the memory of how many dollars were available to me at that same time.   Of course that may be slightly different for someone who has long been on a fixed retirement income but that's not the case for most of us.

[solo1]

Carl, yeah I know about that, and yes, it surely is different for one on a fixed (less buying power) income. 

[Gryphon Rider]

I wonder what the price of a room will be once Trump catapults all the illegal immigrant labour back into Mexico, or wherever else they came from?  

I'm not trying to start an immigration argument, or even saying countries shouldn't deport illegals, but just that once (if) they're gone, it will be tougher to fill menial labour positions, and wages will have to increase to attract employees, and service providers will pass that increase on to you.

[Willow]

I wonder what the price of a room will be once Trump catapults all the illegal immigrant labour back into Mexico, or wherever else they came from?   

I agree that any mass expulsion of illegal immigrants needs to be coupled with modifications in allowances for people from the south of the U.S. to legally enter and work in this country.  We depend more than most know on the presence of workers from outside the U.S.  We do not need the criminals and drug dealers.

I hope we will move carefully in the direction we need to go.

[old2soon]

That fixed income thingy IS and continues to be a bite in the ol keester.   Even with my stayin fed and alive bills at this point in time I am able to save some every month. I do Own my cage and my Phatt Ghurl. Just paid 6 more months insurance on the cage. But Carl brought up a point that seems to allude some folks in positions of power. NOT gonna delve any deeper than that now or here. The 8 years I've been retired has seen my purchasing power diminish and continue to diminish. NOT runnin in the Red YET but I have no idea how long that will last. If gasoline goes to 5 bucks a gallon prior to I-17 I'll have to do some refigurin. RIDE SAFE.

[Firefighter]

I agree that any mass expulsion of illegal immigrants needs to be coupled with modifications in allowances for people from the south of the U.S. to legally enter and work in this country.  We depend more than most know on the presence of workers from outside the U.S.  We do not need the criminals and drug dealers.

We do have a means to enter and work, but too many bypass that, and the border has been wide open, even worse with Obama letting illegals roam. The way I have seen it, we have too many Americans on welfare, they need to go to work. Hopefully the expulsion wont be all at once. Anyway, we have to stop the flow in the country first. I live in the flood gates and hear from both sides.