oktoberfest
 

heading to oktoberfest for the last couple of days of the festival. any tips for where to stay on the cheap and any other tips ffor the event

In my own experience: you should have made reservations months ago and even then there would be little that is cheap. However, you'll undoubtedly be able to find something and start looking now (yes, I know that's why you are here)

The thing does not take over the entire city. You could easily be in Munich and not even know the thing is going on. Are you planning on doing anything other than that?

once i get to munich i have no other plans and have no time limit so really just going to take it from there just looking for advice on what to do around.

My sister and I went to Oktoberfest several years ago, and we were unable to find any accommodations even near Munich when attempting to find a "budget" room beginning in February. We ended up having to stay in Augsberg, an hour away from Munich by train. Good luck trying to find something at this point.

The Oktoberfest offers an experience not unlike a Frat House Kegger only in big tents with oompah bands. The beer hall experience is available all through the year in munich. If you can't make it work for the O'fest just pull up a bench, order a mug of beer and join the revelry any day at the Hofbrau Haus.