It can be difficult to stay within budget while traveling, especially if you are traveling with your family. It's so much easier to just run out for a quick meal, but all of those quick meals can add up. Other things like souvenirs or purchasing items you forgot at home also may not be in your budget. All of these things can eat up your small budget quickly and end up with you in the hole. See below for some money saving tips to use while traveling, and stay within your budget.
Purchase Groceries
Even if your hotel doesn't have a kitchen, there are some items you can buy to keep in your hotel to help prevent you from eating out for each and every meal. Most hotels have at least a small mini refrigerator, coffee pot and even a microwave. You can use the microwave to cook quite a few things. Buy groceries for breakfast and easy dinners such as donuts, cereal, oatmeal, mac-and-cheese, and Ramen noodles can all be eaten in the hotel. Eating breakfast and a few small meals inside your hotel room will help save you hundreds of dollars on your trip. Also buy drinks to keep in your hotel room such as bottled water, milk, and juice boxes for the little ones.
Take Advantage of Freebies
Talk to the hotel concierge about free things they may offer such as a pool, exercise room, breakfast, or activities in the area that are free. Take advantage of these things to help keep your spending down. Your hotel may even offer coupons for area attractions. Be sure to check for these coupons first before going anywhere.
Make a Packing List
Don't forget anything on your next trip by making a detailed packing list for everyone in your family. Mark off the items while packing and check the list again before leaving to ensure you have everything you need. Be sure to keep that list with you when packing to leave for home so you don't leave anything behind either.
Skip or Limit Souvenirs
Skipping souvenirs as an adult can be easy, but when you have kids it can be hard to say no especially when vacationing. If skipping them is impossible to do, try to limit them to only a few and give them a maximum spending amount that they cannot go over.
Walk or Use Public Transportation
To help save you on parking fees, try to walk to your destination whenever possible, or take advantage of public transportation that may be cheaper. Bring a stroller for little ones that may not be able to make the walk to make things easier on you. The stroller may come in handy to help hold items as well.
Staying within budget can be difficult when traveling, but it can be done using the money saving tips above.
