Money Saving Wednesday…Over the River and Through the Woods
Last week we talked about flying for the holidays but many of us will be making that trip by car. So let’s talk about ways to save money on the road.
#1. Fill up before you leave home. Your local gas station is almost always going to be cheaper than filling up while traveling on highways. If you are really lucky you may be able to reach your destination without a gas station stop, even better.
#2. Pack a lunch and drinks. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will keep well even without a cooler and so will several other lunch time meals. Whatever you do always take drinks with your. Restaurants and fast food outlets have huge markup in their drinks. Never purchase a drink.
#3. Wrap it up. When we traveled with our young children I purchased fun foods and snacks and wrapped them in gift wrap. Every few hours they were allowed to choose a package to open. I would also wrap coloring books and fun road games. I wrapped the food in a different wrap than the non food items. About the time the kids started the I’m hungry…we would allow them to open a food treat. This is the only time I purchased the individual boxes of cereal. They made great treats for on the road and also a great quick breakfast in a motel room. What happens every time you stop for fuel? The kids rush to the rest room and then want to buy a candy bar or chips. Eliminate the arguments by letting them know once you are all back in the car and on the road they can choose a treat to open. We always worked from the youngest child to oldest when deciding who should pick the wrapped treat.
#4. About hotels. If you are spending the night on the road be sure to pack food for meals in the motel room. Check when making your reservations and make sure your room includes a microwave and a fridge. Even many low end motels now include these in their rooms. Also ask about free breakfast. Grab an extra piece of fruit for a mid morning snack. Calculate the real costs before making a reservation. A hotel room that is ten dollars more per night is still a better deal if it includes breakfast. Even a fast food breakfast will cost at least ten dollars for two people and if you have a family, you can save big by taking advantage of the free breakfast. Also check to be sure the breakfast opens early enough for your schedule. I had the experience of having to leave a hotel by 7:00am and the breakfast didn’t open until 7:00. I was not happy.
#5. Don’t forget all those things we were doing to save gas when it was over $4.00 a gallon. Don’t let those good habits fade away. Use the cruise control. Let up on the gas before a stop sign so you don’t have to break, it’s so much fun to lift your foot and watch the consumption needle go down to 0. Do not open windows if traveling over 50 miles per hour.
What are some of your tips for road trips?
Keep your eyes open and pick up some shells, or unusual rocks or pine cones to use in crafts back home. You’ll have to stop and stretch your legs occasionally, anyway, so why not make the stops productive?
Take advantage of local products and stop at roadside stands. You can find room in your car for local fruits, vegetables, and other goods that are cheaper than at home. I’ve found honey for $4 less per quart than I’d have to pay here.
We like to stop and camp if it’s warm instead of get a hotel for the night. You have to watch mileage though because sometimes driving too far away from the freeways to a campsite can cost more in fuel than just getting a hotel nearby.