For the past few days I have been providing tips on how to save money while on a family vacation. Bottom line: It all comes down to planning. By anticipating certain scenarios you can successfully prepare in advance so your wallet doesn’t take such a major hit.
MEALS
Next to transportation and lodging, food is what families spend the most money on while on vacation. Think about it; the cost for a family of five to eat three meals a day at a restaurant during a 7-day trip can set you back hundreds of dollars. To soften the blow to your budget, you might consider eating just one meal a day at a restaurant and come up with creative menu options for the other two. For example, regardless of where my family vacations I always pack a few picnic lunches. Even if you decide not to pre-pack food prior to leaving your home, you could easily stop at a local grocery store and pick up some bread, peanut butter, cold cuts, crackers, cheese and beverages and place them in a backpack. Then, when you are driving to or from one of your must-see destinations make a pit stop at a local park, beach, or along a riverbank—-and presto–instant picnic. Plus, your kids get a chance to run off some energy before getting back in the van.
Another way our family saves money is by cutting back on the amount of food we order at restaurants. For instance, I almost never order a kid’s meal for my 3-year-old since it costs almost as much as an adult meal and she rarely eats the entire serving. Instead, I order a meal I know both she and I will enjoy and ask for an extra plate. (It’s a good idea to check with the wait staff before doing so.) This way I know she will eat what is in front of her and if I get hungry later I can always pick on the snacks I pre-packed before leaving our home. This obviously would not work well if you have an older child or one that eats a lot, but by sharing an adult entrée with a kid under 5 you can save at least $5 per meal.
Another tip: If you are on the road and eating at a restaurant is your only option try making lunch the big family meal out. Typically, a restaurant’s lunch menu is less expensive than its dinner menu, even when the options and portion sizes are identical. If you fill up at a late lunch you can save money by eating less at dinner.
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