Cheerful Frugality Hits The Road

Posted by: MerchantShips on Monday, March 16th, 2009

With gas under $2/gal, frugal families may be traveling again for Spring Break.  Here are a few money-saving resources I found helpful.

New frugal blog Laptop Road Trip tells moms to ignore the stares in the hotel lobby:  "Before checking in, find a grocery store and stock up."

Author Michelle Lamar adds that shopping Piggly Wiggly in Georgia can be a unique local experience kids will love. I've found this to be true for other places we love back home: libraries and playgrounds.

Large Family Mothering goes one step more efficient while traveling with her family of 13. She pre-orders food via Sam's Club click-and-pull and picks it up upon reaching her destination.

Is that smart or what? Even if you don't pre-order, the $1.50 hot dog combo and a gas fill-up may make Sam's Club worth plotting on your next route.

If you must fly, Frugal Upstate recommends 3 easy ways to save money in airports: carry on bags, a refillable water bottle, and your own food.

We couldn't bring our own lunch to the airport, but I did bring a few paper cups and spoons so the kids could share a jumbo-size treat while waiting.

Staying home for vacation? Momadvice parlayed $20 into fun family activities without traveling at all.

Don't forget to check your local visitors' bureau for coupons or buy a half-price Entertainment Book for buy-one-get-one-free admission deals. If you're not taking a trip this spring, start assembling your summer fun supplies now for the greatest savings.

Have a post about your frugal road trip? Leave us the link in the comments below! We'd love to learn from your frugality.

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5 Responses to “Cheerful Frugality Hits The Road”

Nate @ Debt-free Scholar Says:
March 16th, 2009 at 8:10 am

I would like to go on a bike trip, but I have not been able to yet this year.

Thanks,
Nate

Condo Blues Says:
March 16th, 2009 at 8:15 am

We travel with a picnic lunch! It started because we didn’t want to leave our dog in a dangerous hot car while we stopped for food on the road. But we quickly learned that we also saved money, travel time, and ate much more healthy with our picnic food.

Jillian Says:
March 16th, 2009 at 12:31 pm

Ohh! Ohh! Don’t forget Car-B-Queing! Using your engine to heat meals while you drive=hot lunch when you stop.

David C Says:
March 16th, 2009 at 10:08 pm

Car-B-Queing?! How would that work?

Jillian Says:
March 17th, 2009 at 8:05 am

Here is a good link to simple instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/Cooking…-with-your-car/

Basically, any tinfoil dinner you could make camping (meaning anything you could wrap in tin foil and throw in the fire) can be made this way.
My sister-in-law and a friend did this on a road trip from Idaho to Massachusetts. Worked wonderfully!

I’ve also heard of people using the heat in their cars to bake cookies.

 

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