Eat Affordably While Road Tripping with Your Family this Summer [Money Saving Tips]

As a child, one of the highlights of our road trips was stopping at a cafe or truck stop.  But, with today's prices with food and gas, that is somewhat of a luxury.  So, how do you feed your family and still have money to stop at the World's Largest Ball of Twine exhibit?  Here's some tips for you to consider, hopefully they'll be helpful!

I have used several of these tips in the past on my own family vacations, but I found more to add to the list while visiting the website onegoodthingbyjillee.com.

Two words, FOOD BUDGET!

I hate budgets, but when you are paying for gas, souvenirs, hotel rooms, food and unexpected expenses, it makes cents.  (yes, that was a play on words).  Don't just make a budget, STICK to the budge.  Harder to do, than type, I know.  Hopefully, these tips will help you. Good luck!

STOCK UP NOW

A couple of weeks before you leave watch the newspaper ads for coupons on your families favorite snacks for the car.  Chips, crackers, granola bars, they all keep well and you'll save money!

DO YOUR RESEARCH

Before you leave, do some web research on restaurants in the area you'll be staying.  Find out what's available and plan your daily menu around those.  You might even be able to get some printable coupons for those eateries.  A little time spend now, will save you $$$ in the long run.

CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST ANYONE?

Several hotels serve continental breakfasts to entice people to stay with them.  Find out if where you're staying does and what they serve.  You can get everything from just a dry hard roll and coffee to make-it-yourself Belgium waffles, to full we'll cook an omelet for you breakfast. (Those are the best)!

OR, STAY IN A HOTEL THAT YOU CAN DIY

Be even more thrifty and find a hotel that has a kitchenette, or at least a small fridge and a microwave. Then you can make breakfast, lunch or dinner, even make sandwiches to pack for a picnic while you're out and avoid the expensive "attraction food".  Or, in some areas you can rent a house for a week which is cheaper than a hotel room in the long run~do the math and see what works best for you and your family.

Of course, if you're going the kitchenette route, you'll want to ask what utensils they have on hand so you know what to bring.  When we went to WI Dells we brought a coffee pot and toaster for breakfasts and then bought cereal and milk when we got there.

Jillee says:

I always bring an electric skillet. Not a flat griddle, but the skillets with the two inch sides. It is amazing what you can cook or warm up in these skillets. I can cook nearly every breakfast, lunch and dinner recipe I want between a microwave and a skillet. The skillet can be easily packed and is large enough to cook food for a large family of 7 like my own. It is also smart to bring paper products, plastic utensils, a kitchen scrubber, paper towels, and a small container of dish soap to make clean up a cinch.

Whichever route you take, have a fantastic memorable time with your family!

Info:  onegoodthingbyjillee.com