Meet a Reader | Florida Brooke
Happy Monday, everyone! Today we are meeting Brooke, a Florida reader who grew up near me in the Mid-Atlantic area.
She's a Disney savings queen and an avid baker, and I think you will probably chuckle at the money mistake her husband made before they got married. 😉
1. Tell us a little about yourself
I'm 49, and I've been married for nearly 24 years to the kind man who introduced me to Jesus (insert kissy face emoji).
My husband and I were born and raised in the Mid-Atlantic (Delaware and Maryland), but we've mostly lived in Florida since 2010.
I'm currently a homemaker, caregiver to my 81 year-old father (mostly long-distance with an in-person visit every month), and a part-time eBay seller.
Other interesting jobs that I've had in my life include working at a public library, being an assistant to a financial planner, and acting as a standardized patient at a medical school.
I've recently suffered the loss of 3 loved ones (my mom and second dad died in 2020 and 2021, and another family member is now estranged from me), so it's been a rough road.
After these losses, it's taking a long time to get back to doing the things I love (crafts and sewing, baking desserts, and planning frugal-ish trips to Disney World).
2. How long have you been reading The Frugal Girl?
I remember recommending Kristen to a friend around 2011, and I had been following her for awhile, so I must have started reading close to the beginning of the blog.
I have fond memories of Wednesday Baking and Food Waste Fridays - but I equally love the newer series, especially Thankful Thursdays.
3. How did you get interested in saving money?
My mom raised my sister and me on her own for a good bit of my childhood, and money was very tight.
Mom grew a garden to supplement our food, and although Mom found a way to meet our needs, we didn't have a lot of extravagance. Going to Burger King or Shakee's Pizza once a month was a special treat.
I learned to budget as a girl and to not outspend my income, and I've never looked back.
4. What's the "why" behind your money-saving efforts?
I have been a homemaker most of my marriage, and in the beginning we had to stretch a dollar to make ends meet. Over time, it became less of a necessity - until my husband left his career and went back to school in 2014 to complete his Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees.
(I was tickled to hear of Kristen doing something similar! And a special shout-out to 2-year colleges - LOVE them!)
We had a very lean almost-8 years during his schooling, including moves to Iowa and then Michigan, for my husband's graduate school education, and starting over in each place was challenging and costly.
We relied on lots of help and my income to make ends meet and try not dip into our savings/retirement fund. These days we stay frugal to make up for those years of not contributing to our retirement funds.
5. What's your best frugal win?
We have never had a car payment during our marriage.
(My husband did, ahem, charge a used car to his credit card a couple of years before we met, though.)
We've been able to save up and pay cash for vehicles, vacations, and anything else we've needed or wanted. We've also been able to be a one-car household for probably more than half of our marriage.
At times it wasn't easy (think one spouse working and one spouse going to school and working a part-time job, on completely different schedules), but it was always worth the sacrifice to keep our costs down and not go into debt.
6. What's a dumb money mistake you've made?
When we bought our first house in Baltimore in 2001, we made the dumb mistake of taking out a HELOC to pay for things like carpet, kitchen modifications, and.... furniture. 0/10, don't recommend.
Fortunately, we smartened up pretty quickly and paid it off in a couple of years, but it still cost us a lot in interest, and we're committed to saving up and paying cash for those sorts of things in the future.
7. What's one thing you splurge on?
Vacations - mostly to Disney World. I'm an avid researcher, and I think I've found a million ways to save money at Disney.
I geek out over the details and research involved in the attractions, hotels, restaurants, etc., and my husband and I love to interact with the Cast Members. (We're the people that are always asked by family members: "You're going to Disney AGAIN??")
I also travel once a month to see my father, who lives 2 states away, and we like to visit my in-laws in Maryland as often as we can, less often since the pandemic started.
8. What's one thing you aren't remotely tempted to splurge on?
Makeup.
I am blessed with a husband who prefers my face without any makeup, and really, I can't be bothered with it.
9. If $1000 was dropped into your lap today, what would you do with it?
Save it for retirement after giving a portion away. Boring but practical!
10. Share a frugal Disney tip with other Frugal Girl readers
(A personalized question for Brooke, since she's a Disney fan!)
At Disney, don't plan to go to the parks every day (and spend more on tickets). You'll need the rest, plus there's plenty to do outside of the parks for free or low cost:
Spend some time exploring your hotel (especially if at Disney...the details are amazing and most people are too busy to notice) and enjoy the perks like movies at night, pool activities, and walking and biking trails.
Alternatively, use Disney transportation to visit other Disney hotels (from Disney Springs, walk to Saratoga Springs and then take a boat back; take a monorail from Magic Kingdom to the Polynesian Village Resort and enjoy a Dole Whip).
Have fun talking with friendly Cast Members and relax with your family. Sometimes the best memories come from these quieter moments, not while chasing all the latest and greatest rides.
11. Is there anything unique about frugal living in your area?
We currently live on the east coast of Florida, and when we moved here for my husband's job I was shocked at how expensive it is, at least compared to the inland Florida city where we previously lived.
However, Florida has amazing state and local parks, and it doesn't cost a lot to visit them (and some are free). Some of our favorites are Honeymoon Island and Little Talbot Island State Parks.
When we lived in Gainesville, we often visited the University of Florida campus and the natural history museum for free.
We once took my parents to see the bat houses at the university, and hearing my mom giggle when the bats emerged from their houses was priceless - and literally free.
Where we currently live, we can see rocket launches from our parking lot.
We also currently live about one hour away from Disney World, and although that is not an inexpensive place to visit, we can drive to Disney Springs and walk around all day for just the cost of a few small tolls.
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Brooke, thank you for participating! I love the story of how you guys have worked together to make your husband's education happen, and I really like the picture of your hands together.
Your peach cobbler looks so delicious; do you have a link to the recipe? I have some frozen peaches that I could use up that way. 🙂
I am curious: what's your favorite Disney park? What's your favorite ride? And what's your favorite time of year to go to Disney?
Alrighty, enough from me.
Brooke, this was so much fun to read! I'm envious of where you live, and hope to retire there someday. And I wanted to reach through the screen to taste one of your cookies in the muffin tin - they look fantastic!
My questions are: what are your most and least favorite parts of living in Florida? And when you go to Disney, do you drive over for the day since you're nice and close, or stay over and make it a multi-day visit?
Thanks for your lovely interview!
@BJS,
Thank you! My favorite thing about Florida is the weather. The mild winter temperatures are dreamy to me, and even in our (very long) summers, we have afternoon showers that keep the glaring sunshine at bay. My least favorite thing about living in Florida (right now) is the social-political atmosphere, which I find very stressful.
We do both at Disney! The past couple of years we've only taken day trips to Disney Springs, but we have a multi-day trip coming up soon (which we postponed several times during the pandemic).
@Brooke,
I’m curious about the thing that you like least about Florida. I have heard that things have become a bit contentious is the central part of the state. I guess the mayor of Orlando doesn’t like the Governor. I didn’t realize it was having such an impact on the entire socio-political atmosphere. Where I live in Florida political-social climate is fairly civil with the exception of local politics. Local residents are often squaring off against developers who want to destroy sensitive lands and limit access to the beach and waterways. Sometimes we win; sometimes we lose.
Hello Brooke!
I love reading about Florida. My hubby is from Hialeah and went to school at the Florida Institute of Technology. He used to tell me stories about watching the launches. He was a space science major.
I was so envious of his experiences. After so many years of hearing about Florida, he surprised me with a road trip there.
It deluged. Every. Single. Day. In the end I never got to see much of Florida.
Someday.
Thank you for the lovely pictures and story. You really do live in a magical place.
@Maria Zannini, thank you! I'm so glad you got to visit, although too bad about the rain. :/
@Maria Zannini,
It is best to visit December through April. It is generally drier and cooler then. Although it rains quite a bit year round, the summer and fall bring heat, humidity, tropical systems and intense sunshine.
@Maria Zannini, - How cool! I was born in Hialeah and lived there until I was 11. We then moved (south) to Kendall where I really grew up. We've been in North Florida tho since 2000.
Hello Brooke! It’s always great to meet another frugal Floridian. Sometimes I think we may be the most endangered species in the state. Kudos on being a one-car family that saves so much money and it’s not easy to do in the Sunshine State.
There is so much that is familiar in what you have written. You currently live where I spent my early childhood during the golden years of the US Space Program. The photo of the Indian River and the VAB is amazing and brings back fond memories.
I now live on the Northeast Florida Coast, and am very familiar with Little Talbot Island. We ride bikes there and my favorite hike is out to Black Rock. What makes this one of your favorite state parks?
Although I’m a Florida Native, I have spent little time at Disney World. My kids absolutely hated going to the Magic Kingdom when they were young. (They did enjoy Animal Kingdom.) Perhaps now that I will soon have a grandchild things will change and I’ll visit again. Are you an Annual Pass Holder? If so, do you think it’s worth the money?
Lastly, UF’s Natural History Museum is a hidden gem. I have a family member who has worked in and with this museum for many years. The north, central part of the state is so different from the coast. You mentioned the bats, but did you visit The Devil’s Millhopper while living in Gainesville? (a Natural Geological Site and an interesting microclimate) Did you tube down the Ichetucknee River?
Wishing peace and good health. Go Gators!
I have been to northeast Florida! We have friends who live in Yulee, which is near Amelia Island.
@Kristen,
I used to go to an auction house in Yulee. There also used to be a wonderful U-pick blueberry farm there. It is an interesting place to have visited.
@Bee,
Go Gators!
We loved the peaceful, quiet beach at Little Talbot Island. We spent a Christmas there and it was absolutely lovely. I grew up seeing the Atlantic from the Delaware beaches, and I just loved being able to see it from Florida, especially in a non-commercial area.
We have been Disney annual passholders in the past, but not currently. I don't think we would be able to take as many multi-day trips with my husband's current job - and also, we definitely take advantage of Florida resident tickets offers that often come around the beginning of the year. It's not as big a commitment as an annual pass.
Yes, we loved Devil's Millhopper! We never tried tubing at any of the springs (tubing with gators wasn't something that interested us, haha).
@Brooke, - It's worth a day trip to Ichetucknee Springs! I don't think we saw any gators on our tubing run. Lots of turtles.
@kris,
I didn't see gators either when I tubed it. It's a beautiful trip.
@Bee, do you know if the you pick farm is still in operation? We live ridiculously close, but have never been. I think it would be so fun for our kids and great way to support local farms.
@Bee, we are former Floridians - when we lived in central Florida, we had one of the WDW passes that only residents could purchase. It was great because we could go to the parks a lot and not worry if we didn't get to see everything in one day - we'd just come back another time. If you plan to go often, then it is totally worth the money. However, a lot of the perks of APs have recently gone away, so do the math before you commit.
@Haley, I’m not sure if it is still there. This was some time ago. They used to advertise on Craig’s List. I did a quick search on the internet and didn’t see that particular one. However, I saw one or two other that looked promising.
Dowless Blueberries and Blubyyou.
It is a fun activity to do with the kids.
Hi Brooke,
It was nice to meet you. I'm sorry for the losses you have suffered the past two years. I hope you have an easier period in your life going forward.
@K D, thank you so much! Hope springs eternal. 🙂
Kristen, thank you so much for hosting me today. 🙂
Here's the recipe I use for peach cobbler:
https://cantstayoutofthekitchen.com/2014/09/21/magic-peach-cobbler/
I modify it a little as needed - a little less sugar, and I often add blueberries to the peaches. Super yummy!
Ooh, choosing my favorite Disney park is so difficult!! I CAN say that we probably visit Epcot more often than any other park (Food! Festivals! Open spaces!), but I love them all. I can't choose one favorite attraction, but I love Soarin' at Epcot and the Kiliminjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom. Oh, and the older O' Canada 360 vision film in Epcot (my husband used to sing the song to me all the time)!
When we lived in Maryland, we preferred to come to Disney just after Labor Day, to see the Night of Joy concerts and to enjoy lower crowds. These days, Disney is working hard to keep crowds fairly level throughout the year, so this strategy no longer works. If you can, avoid holidays and the middle of summer.
Have to comment today to say - Former GNV person here and now I live about 20 miles north and GNV is my closest real city! Nice to see another person from the area who loves The Frugal Girl!
I'm also a frugal Disney person and LOVE finding the best deals and spending time at all of the resorts. We're letting our annual passes go this year (after a huge splurge at the Galactic Starcruiser and one more trip with our grandchildren in May) but plan to make regular trips to stay in the resorts and just relax, avoiding the parks altogether. There are many, many ways to enjoy WDW on a budget, and resort hopping is one of the best.
@Denise, yay!! Resort hopping is so much fun!
How did you like the Galactic Starcruiser? We have yet to see Galaxy's Edge in person, let alone the Starcruiser, but it looks amazing.
Hi Brooke! Fellow North Florida reader here (Keystone Heights - right outside of Gainesville) Loved your Disney tips. I'm not a Disney fan bc it's so expensive, so it was nice to see a frugal(er) side of it.
The bats are pretty great, along with the Santa Fe Zoo (which is pretty cheap). Gainesville is a neat little community with free or low cost stuff to do.
We've camped a few times at Little Talbot State Park. The beaches up that way are beautiful!
@kris, we love the Santa Fe Zoo, too! When my husband was a student there, he got to go for free, but I happily paid the fee to see it.
Good morning Brooke. This is sounding like a Florida reunion here. First, let me say I'm sorry for your losses. That's a lot to deal with in a short space of time.
I have to confess to the UF/Gator fans that everyone in my family but my husband, who didn't finish college, graduated from FSU and we are all diehard 'Noles. Just to be honest here 🙂
I took my kids to that museum in Gainesville when they were young - it was so much fun. I have NOT done the Devil's Millhopper - I am afraid of heights and I don't see myself enjoying it.
I agree that going to Disney in winter is the best. It's amazing that you have found cheaper ways to go, Brooke, because it is very expensive. I am amazed! Our kids went with their school classes, and we took them once when they were younger, but that was enough for all of us. I know some people who go every year, but it's not our style, I guess.
It sounds like you have that frugal thing down. Way to go!
@JD, haha! Gators and Noles can live together in peace. 🙂
@Brooke,
Ha, we have to- one of my daughters married a Gator, and the other one is engaged to one. We all love each other regardless, but my girls still root for their 'Noles.
@JD, I am also graduated from FSU and am a life long Noles fan!
I live in Palm Beach County, where I have lived most of my life.
My daughter is at the age where she's starting asking to go to Disney and well, we've already had the "it ain't happening" talk. I know there are guides with how to do it reasonably but I'm not all that interested now.
Hi Brooke!
I'm sorry for your recent losses. It's hard to lose a parent. Hugs. Also, I've been a caregiver for both of my parents, both from long-distance as well as in-town. It's challenging in a way that you can't understand until you've done it. Prayers for strength and patience and endurance for you!
You sound like a fun person and it's been enjoyable to read about you!
@Kris, thank you so much. Yes, being a caregiver is the most difficult and challenging (but also rewarding) job and responsibility I've ever had. You might think that since I'm not local I'm not hands-on, but that couldn't be further from the truth. I'm especially thankful for this time I have with my father after the losses I've had. Time is precious.
Brooke, so wonderful to hear from you. I too have had losses - deaths, estrangements, and the many losses during Covid. My suggestions, based on visits with a very wise therapist follow. Face your grief. All losses are real and grief is personal. Put things you have no control over on a very high shelf and leave them there. Self care and listen to your needs. Need a nap then take it. Need a walk do it. Pray and trust God. How is this frugal? My many co-pays at the therapist can hopefully help others to feel supported and support friends. Grief is very real right now in our world and we often don't recognize it and deal with it.
@Nancy, thank you so much. I've been in counseling to help work through the grief and forgiveness, and I thank God for those who are gifted in this way and come alongside us. I also started back in massage therapy and am amazed how touch can release grief and feelings. I hope that my experiences will shape me to be helpful to others in the future.
Hi Brooke! Thanks for sharing with us! Your opening sentence gave me a big, big smile. Can I ask where you lived when you were in Michigan? (Curiosity, ya know. I love my state!)
Your frugal win about only having one vehicle is huge. We were able to do that for most of the time we lived in Virginia and it really was a huge cost savings.
I'll try to store your Disney nugget away for someday as I hope to be able to take my family sometime before my kids leave home!
I pray that God comforts you in this time of loss upon loss (praise the Lord that he is "the God of all comfort") and brings refreshment to your heart.
@Ruth T, thank you! We lived in East Lansing, and my husband got his Master's from Michigan State. 🙂 We had planned to go to the UP and to Canada while we were there (and even got our special MI licenses to cross the border), but then covid hit and all our plans were dashed. Boo.
Thank you. Jesus is my hope and strength. 🙂
@Brooke, Go Spartans! 🙂
@Kris, Go Green!
@Brooke, I know it would be quite a hike to go from Florida to the UP, but I sure do hope you can make it up there sometime!!
And my brother's an MSU grad, too. So fun!
@Ruth T, Maybe someday! It looks so beautiful up there!
So nice to meet you!! How long did you live in Michigan? What college? I agree starting over is hard!
@Stephanie Mazzon, thank you! We were in Michigan about one year, from fall of 2019 to fall of 2020. My husband went to Michigan State.
Hi Brooke - I rarely comment but could not pass up your response to question #6. I have never seen a negative comment about a HELOC before. I believe that perhaps your experience is more about the use of a HELOC versus the HELOC tool in general. We have had a HELOC for many years & have found it to be extremely useful in particular circumstances due to the very low interest rate, as compared to much higher interest rates through other financing options. Our HELOC was incredibly helpful as a low interest strategy to fund vehicles & when a major medical emergency caused my husband to be unemployed for one year. Much of the time it has laid dormant but we appreciate the security of knowing it is there if we need it. Since our home is paid off, we recently renewed it with a much higher limit. Like many financial tools, the key would seem to be using a HELOC wisely & with forethought. 10/10
@Lisa M., Yes, you are absolutely correct, I was speaking about our personal decision and use of the HELOC.
@Brooke, I think the point you were making is valid, i.e., do not take on debt freely or unnecessarily regardless of the source. Having resources saved to use is ideal but if one must finance, use caution & seek out the lowest interest rate available.
Brooke, I enjoyed learning more about you. I'm sorry for your losses and hope that your future is brighter. Love that you're a one-car family. Thank you for sharing your life in sunny Florida with us!
@MB in MN, thank you!
Hi Brooke,
Thanks for giving FG readers a glimpse into your life.
You live in a beautiful state. My first cross country flight was to the gulf coast of Florida for a wedding and birding adventure. I went in November; it was so nice to fly out of Seattle's rain and gloom and land in summer sunshine.
I'm going to use muffin pans next time I make cookies. Since I'm baking for one. I think the muffin papers will help with freezer storage.
You make Florida sound so appealing! I was there once and the weather was so hot and humid that all I did was try to find the nearest air conditioner and lay on top of it. My brother lived in Orlando and I live in interior Alaska and we used to share seeds and try to grow some of the same things just to see what would happen. Thank you for giving us such an enthusiastic review of your state.
I am extremely intolerant of heat and humidity so this is my M.O. in Florida as well. lol I will say that the Florida weather is very nice in January and February, though! It's a welcome break from the cold gray weather here, so I can definitely see why people snowbird.
Sonia doesn't mind heat and humidity at all and neither does Lisey; the two of them would thrive in Florida's climate!
@Lindsey, haha! There are definitely days when I have to shower again after taking a walk outside!
Brooke, I enjoyed your post. I am truly sorry for your losses.
@Lizzy, thanks so much!
Great thoughts on visiting Disney! I went there on a school trip in junior high. I'm not sure if we will ever go with my boys (10 & 8) since there are so many other wonderful places to visit.
I am amazed at your view of rocket launches! This nerd (former chemical engineer) would love to see one some day. We visited the Kennedy Space Center on my junior high trip. So fascinating!
In my sixth decade, and have never been to anything Disney! Sure would like to, though. I love Florida and have made a point of seeing as many different parts of it as I could- pretty magical place! Lots to relate to in this post!
Your post is so interesting. You had a wise mom who taught you well. You are very blessed. We have taken our kids to Disney twice. The first time was around Thanksgiving and there were hardly any people there and they were mostly international visitors. It was great. Hubby and I got engaged at Disney. We went there for his birthday. There were gobs of romantic places to propose but he pulled out the ring on a bus. We actually met on a bus, I worked at Disney World the summer between sophomore and junior year of college. I just LOVE Disney World. I even have stock in Disney.
Really interesting post. I love Florida and Disney and I worked at Epcot on the International programme back in 1998-99. This summer we are visiting for trip number 5 but no Disney this time. We are going to the Panhandle for a week and then a week in Orlando. We will do some resort hopping though.