Whether it’s the beach, a cruise, or a destination city for sightseeing, we all enjoy and need vacations. They help us relax, recharge, and reconnect. People plan and save money, so they can splurge and pamper themselves while on vacation. Spending money is expected, and eating is a big part of where vacation funds are used. These are some easy tips that will help both planners and free spirits extend their vacation money without taking away any time from relaxing.
1. Use Coupons from Travel Brochures and Pamphlets
Vacation and tourist spots have brochures and pamphlets displayed everywhere. Hotels, gas stations, rest areas, and shopping areas, are all good places to find these. Take a minute or two to see if there are any attractions, restaurants, or shops that you are planning to visit or wanting to try. On a recent beach trip, my girlfriend and I used several coupons that saved us around $20.00. One of the coupons we used was for a free appetizer with meal purchase. That coupon alone saved us $11.00.
2. Keep it Casual
I’m not saying you should skip a nice meal, but the more fancy the restaurant, the higher the prices. Bistros, cafes, pubs, and diners have a more relaxing atmosphere and often lower prices. Try some of these no jacket required options and limit the white tablecloths restaurants.
3. Have Lunch Instead of Dinner
Restaurants serving lunch sometimes offer smaller portions or limited options. On the up side, it’s usually less expensive, less crowded and more casual. Save some money and avoid the wait time by going out for Lunch.
4. Kids Eat Free
There are lots of restaurants where kids eat free or inexpensively depending on their age. Do a little research to see what offers are available where you are vacationing.
5. Have the Kiddos Order from the Children’s Menu
If kids don’t eat free and chicken nuggets, hot dogs and pizza are your child’s favorite, then order from the children’s menu. If the kids object, tell them you love them and politely remind them you’re the grownup. If your little one is a big eater, order two children’s meals. It is most likely still less expensive than ordering from the adult menu. Besides, you know you want to eat a chicken nugget or swipe a few fries from their plate.
6. Happy hours
Happy Hours are not only great for saving some meal money, you can also save drinking money. Double Win!!! Tara and I used this tactic on our beach vacation recently as well. The place we went to had almost 20 $5.00-$6.00 appetizer options to choose from. The selections included bar foods, beef and seafood. Drink prices included $3.50 vodkas and glasses of wine. You can see this great Happy Hour menu here.
7. Eat with the Blue Hairs
Senior Citizens aren’t only eating early to get home before Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy start, they also know about early bird specials. All joking aside, listen and pay attention to your elders. They know that early bird specials are a great bargain. In addition to saving money on dinner, they can avoid the busier dinner crowd and wait times before Vanna turns that first letter.
8. Talk to the locals
Your vacation destination locals are a great resource. Ask them about their favorite restaurants and hangouts. They have the scoop on places that can be less expensive, have minimal wait times and tasty local dishes.
9. Free Breakfast
Many hotels offer free continental breakfasts. Some offer deluxe versions that include eggs, bacon and other additional items to fuel you and help start the day. Take advantages of this and eat! This most important meal of the day can sustain you until lunchtime or later, helping to curb your food spending.
10. Bring Meals with You
A condo was the last vacation accommodation Tara and I were at. It was within driving distance, so we opted to take some meals that traveled well to cover a couple of dinners. I cooked taco meat and spaghetti sauce at home then froze them for travel. Once on vacation, I only had minimal prep for both Taco Tuesday and Spaghetti night. We not only saved some money, but the time-consuming part of the meal prep was done leaving home, allowing more time for relaxing.
11. Go to the Grocery Store
Vacation is not the time to do a full grocery run but pick up some staples and snacks if they can be stored properly where you’re staying. Yogurt and fruit for breakfast. Lunchmeats, cheese and bread for lunches. Veggies and salty snacks for munching. Since items like this are less expensive at the grocery store than at restaurants you’ll get more beach time if you’re not running out for every meal.
12. Take a Few Comforts from Home
I take a good cutting board and my favorite chef’s knife on vacation with me when I can. Why? Because sometimes what’s available at the condo we’re in sucks or is non-existent. Having a couple of familiar kitchen tools makes me want to cook more and eat out less. If you’re accommodations has a kitchen be okay with cooking a meal or two while on vacation. Pack the slow cooker or Instant Pot for the trip. These appliances are time savers and help give you more time for relaxing. Mississippi Pot Roast is an example of a slow cooker meal that is easy and feeds quite a few people making it a great choice for a vacation meal.
13. Use Daily Deal Sites
Websites like Groupon, LivingSocial and restaurant.com aren’t only helpful for saving money in your home town. Use these sites to help you plan meals out while on vacation. You can often save up to 50% on your meals and attractions. Groupon and LivingSocial also run additional discounts on occasion like 20%-25% off your purchase saving even more money.
14. Drink Responsibly
Vacationing is a time to relax but moderately enjoy those pricey adult beverages at meal time or skip them altogether. A few drinks can add to your bill total quickly. Instead, opt for a refillable choice like soda or iced tea that is less expensive. Even better, rehydrate yourself and choose water with lemon. It’s refillable AND free.
As you can see there are quite a few easy ways to save money on your meals when on vacation. Try to implement a few of these tips on your next trip. You can relax and save money all at the same time.
