@Cody ********
well, if you consider yourself a tourist, you may want stick to tourist visa requirements. A tourist can not stay more than a total or 180 days in the country. Only two land crossings per year is allowed. Only twice your 30 day exempt stamp can be extended for further 30 days.
Whether we agree with immigration rules or not, they exist.
For instance, if I want to go visit the US for half a year long road trip, it does not matter if I spend a grand or not, I will be denied entry if I don’t follow to the immigration requirements.
If the county is cheaper than yours, it does not mean you can drop a grand and bend the rules.