Posted: 02/09/2007--25/11/2008 || Rate this Article: 3 || Views|| Sign In || Register ||Hello Guest
Traveling can certainly be expensive, and one of the things that add up day after day is the money that you spend on food. While some hints are more helpful for families on vacation than a businessperson attending a convention, there are several things you can do to bring down the cost of food the next time you travel.
If youre driving, bring your own meals as much as possible. A small cooler can hold sandwiches and drinks without taking up valuable packing space. Have a picnic at a park or rest area along the way. In addition to saving money, it will be a nice break from being on the road all day. If you dont want to bring an entire meal, even packing a few snacks and drinks will keep you from making impulse buys at gas stations and might make your order smaller when its time to eat.
When you find yourself eating at a restaurant, carefully weigh your fast food and sit-down meal options. If all you want is a sandwich and chips, wouldnt a fast food place be good enough? Also look for local cafs and restaurants. Not only will you be more likely to get some home-cooked food, but the prices will usually be more reasonable than at large chains. When you end up at a sit-down restaurant, consider eating an appetizer, salad or soup instead of an entre. Pay attention to the time and look for lunch specials. Drinking water instead of soft drinks or alcohol will also lower your bill.
If youre flying to your destination, make sure you eat before you get to the airport. The exact same fast food meal will be much cheaper when you buy it a few exits from the airport. The same principle applies when heading to a tourist attraction. If you can eat somewhere outside of the theme park or museum, you will definitely save money.
If youre staying at a hotel, look into suites or rooms with kitchenettes. Theyre more expensive, but for a family or an extended stay, they can be worth it in the money youll save from cooking a few meals. Look for a nearby grocery store or even a convenience/drug store. A little bit of a walk or drive will be worth the money you save from even doing something simple like buying a package of bagels and some juice for breakfasts. You should also take advantage of the continental breakfast if your hotel provides one.
Check the hotel room for a local coupon book/magazine. Restaurants will often print special deals in these advertising booklets to try to entice you to eat there. When youre planning a vacation, you should also be on the lookout for special coupons and deals in travel brochures, and even keep an eye out for coupons from national chains a few weeks before you leave.
You dont have to live off of bread and water to save money on food the next time you travel. A little bit of planning is all it takes, and a few dollars off here and there will add up in the end.
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