An affordable trip that started out right with the purchase of cheap airplane tickets, cheap discount hotel rooms or cheap vacation packages can quickly turn more expensive than planned if tourists do not know where they will eat out or how much eating out will cost. Advanced planning and looking for discounts can stretch travel dollars. Eating at small locally owned restaurants and shopping at offbeat venues can keep a trip affordable.
The following are ways to get the most out of your travel dollars:
Find out if kitchenettes are available where you will be staying. If yes, find out if cookware, dishes and utensils are available so that you can plan appropriately. Even if a kitchenette is not offered, see if you can get a room with a microwave and if possible, a refrigerator. Some motels make available charcoal or gas grills for outdoor cooking.
Try to stay at hotels that include breakfast as part of the base room rate. If your hotel provides fresh fruit at breakfast, take a piece of fruit for later.
Pack snacks such as granola or protein bars, fresh fruit, crackers and other nonperishable food that can be eaten between meals.
Check out farmers markets and ethnic grocery stores which frequently offer lower prices than traditional supermarkets. Prices at ethnic and buffet restaurants are often very reasonable.
If you want to splurge for a meal do so for lunch instead of dinner. Check restaurants to see if they offer early bird specials or free kids meals. Happy hours where food is offered at a discount is common at many restaurants.
Look through a local newspaper or alternative weekly for local restaurant coupons and check area restaurant websites which sometimes offer printable coupons.
If you are taking a road trip, fill a cooler with nutritious food. Cost of fast food meals add up quickly and are usually less healthy than what you bring from home.
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