4 Simple Ways to Save Mealtime Money on Your Next Vacay

Vacations to islands, resorts, mountains and beaches are always GREAT.   Unless you have your own beach house or hook up, trips can be expensive. After transportation and lodging, food and alcohol are the next biggest expenses.

So how do my family and I afford traveling so much?  We have a plan for mealtime savings!  We have found that when we plan for food, we are able to make our trips to beautiful places way more affordable.

Here 4 simple ways I have learned to save on vacation mealtime:

1. Book lodging with a kitchen/kitchenette when able. Having the option to make your own meals and snacks can save quite a bit of money on any vacation. The average cost of eating out is $10-15 per person per meal. Of course this can be higher depending on the location and food preference.  Heck we were just in Hawaii with meals averaging $15-30 PLUS!  I have found that if I can make 1-2 meals/snacks a day at the hotel, it can save us A LOT of money!  We can also then enjoy the local cuisine and recommended restaurants with the savings we have from other meals and snacks

2. No kitchen? No problem! Most hotels offer a microwave and or a mini-fridge.  (If not included, they are usually able to be requested.  Get snacks and food that takes minimal cooking. Microwave breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, apples, bananas, bagels, bread, PB, and baby carrots are all staples that we bring on most trips. Make yourself a little kitchen kit for travel with plastic spoons/forks/knives, a small cutting board, a utility knife, and some baggies to help you have what you need at the hotel.  

3. PLAN! Plan QUICK and EASY meals and snacks you can make so you can get as much time out and about as possible. I have found if I drive to a location, that packing my electric pressure cooker is WELL WORTH the space. I am able to make anything from oatmeal for breakfast to chicken sliders for a quick meal. My family can eat healthy and the money we save on food allows us to do other activities instead!

4. Skip the Coffee Shop. Unless there is a REALLY great café' with coffee you are just dying to try, use the coffee provided in your hotel. Now... I don't love black coffee or just plain cream and sugar, so if you like me and need froofy coffee, I have found buying your favorite coffee creamer and keeping in the hotel room saves us A LOT. Imagine...how much you spend for two specialty coffees at Starbucks! I have now just given you a hack on saving $10-15/day! You're welcome!