#17 Traveling and Food

When we travel, I take along my own bottled water and beverages. It is much more economical than buying things at a quick shop. We also take along snacks for in the car.

If we are going on a long trip, sometimes we take a picnic lunch to eat on the way. It is much healthier than anything we can get in a fast food restaurant and is much more economical.

Packing a lunch is a hassle and takes extra time, and there is extra clean up, so we do not do it if it is just my husband and I or we are with a group any more. That, and it is difficult to find picnic tables. We often have to eat sitting in the car in a hot parking lot. But it is economical. If we are spending the night in a motel and are not with a group, we will buy something to eat in the room at a grocery store often.

We get discounts at motels from our auto club. We also tend to stay in moderately priced motels rather than the high end type.

When we really needed to cut costs traveling with several children, we camped along the way at campgrounds in a pop up tent camper or a tent. It is a lot of work but economical. The kids have fun playing outside and eating out in the open air. Most campgrounds have bathrooms with showers and swimming pools.