Something Else Saturday - 5 Ways to Eat Cheaper on a Family Vacation

Traveling with teenagers is expensive. What we save on hotels and attractions it seems we make up for in food bills. We used to stop for a small flavored milk or a juice box and a 25 cent pack of string cheese. Now, snack is a #10 with an apple pie. When did that happen? How do they even know what a #10 is? Why do kids need that many nuggets to feel full anyway? (It's rhetorical, Dawn. I know it's the preservatives and carbs creating a never-ending cycle of...yes, that. Oh fine, explain in comments anyway.)

Lately, we've curbed all the unhealthy snacking. Okay, fine, I will rephrase. Lately, we've curbed a lot of the unhealthy snacking while on the road, which it seems we are doing a lot of these days. On a recent trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia I booked a room at my favorite hotel. However, it was only AFTER hitting the send button that I noticed this one didn't have a mini-fridge or microwave listed with the other amenities. A quick telephone call confirmed that they do indeed have these extras at no extra charge, but guests must request them. Did I have a special need for them? "Um, I am traveling with two teenage boys and a fireman," was my reply. The woman laughed and said she'd make sure it was in the room and ready well before my arrival.

When I checked in, the clerk at the desk confirmed again that the mini-appliances were in place, and when we got to the room, there they were on the adorable little rolling cart. It might not seem like such a big deal, but here are a few of the reasons these items are a necessity when our family is on an adventure that lasts more than one night away from home.

1. Hot pockets. There's usually a grocery store near the hotel. We grab fresh fruits and veggies for snacking and something like hot pockets that are quickly microwaved to curb mid-afternoon or late night hunger pains. Better yet, if we're well stocked on these types of items in the big freezer, we go ahead and toss them in a cooler then refrigerate them for the duration of our trip. It's saved us a ton, and the boys tend to look at it as their own private mini-bar.
2. Free condiments. This is the honest truth, I once watched my Granny, rest her soul, refill a nearly-empty ketchup bottle from a large handful of foil packets of the stuff. It was a little ironic that the bottle was a generic brand and the packets were a name brand, but I digress. Condiments are free. You should never have to pay for condiments on a trip, unless you have allergies or just don't care for them. Jellies, honey, ketchup, mustard, mayo, and even things like cream cheese and coffee creamer are all given out for free at fast food restaurants and convenience stores if you just ask.
3. Sunny-D. I know it's not as healthy as orange juice, but I like to think it's at least a little healthier than soda. It comes in all those yummy flavors. It's dirt cheap. And it makes a nice fuzzy navel for the grown-ups at the end of the evening. But most importantly, it is a very good reason to not give the kids upwards of $3 per soda out of the vending machine depending on where you stay and which hotel chain you've chosen.
4. Leftovers. Once, we brought a foil tray of spaghetti that we had leftover from earlier in the week. It would have gone bad sitting in the fridge while we were gone. The foil, unlike a plastic casserole dish, is recyclable. Because the Fireman cooked it, you can bet it was better than anything we'd have eaten from a restaurant. And again, it was FREE. We packed paper plates and napkins that were in the box of leftover birthday party supplies. I think we actually had more fun sitting on the floor of the hotel room and eating picnic style than we would have if we'd eaten out.
5. Continental breakfast. Unless you have allergies or some other medical condition, there is no reason why you should ever have to buy breakfast while staying at a hotel. The Hilton line offers a kick-butt breakfast of make-your-own waffles, fresh fruit, yogurt, and other yummy treats. The selection seems both seasonal and based on where you're staying. While one just outside of Richmond offered biscuits and gravy that were better than Chik-Fil-A (Yeah, you heard me!) the one in Waldorf, Maryland had bacon and eggs both days.

And there you go! What tips do you have for saving money on food (or anything else) when traveling with family? I'd love to read all your tips in the comments section. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Becky