Setting My Intention

Clearing Clutter. Finding Joy. Living Slow

  • Home
    • Privacy and Cookie Policy
    • Disclosure
  • New? Start Here!
  • Work With Me
    • Affiliates
  • At Home
    • Decluttering Your Home
    • Meal Planning
      • Recipe
    • Organizing
  • In Relationships
    • Motherhood
    • Family
    • Self Care
  • In Life
    • Blogging
    • Budgeting
    • Fitness
    • Goals
    • Slow Living
  • FREE Resources
    • Top 10 Blogging Resources
    • FREE Meal Planning Printables
    • FREE 10 Step Decluttering Process
  • SHOP
    • Terms and Conditions
You are here: Home / In Life / Budgeting / 5 Helpful Tips on How to Travel on a Budget

May 17, 2016 by Angela

5 Helpful Tips on How to Travel on a Budget

My sisters, mom, and I recently traveled to the Grand Canyon. It was a trip that was on my mom’s “bucket list” for years. This is actually the first time in several years that we’ve taken a trip together as a family. Here are a few things I learned about how to travel on a budget when you’re traveling with others who may not be on a budget.

5 helpful tips on how to travel on a budget

My sisters travel quite a bit with their family and their friends. They are much more seasoned as travelers and have more disposable income than our family. When I decided that this was an important trip for me to join in on, I was a little worried about the money and expectations. We were all splitting my mom’s part of the trip, but I was concerned about how we would handle meals during the trip. I know that food can easily make or break a budget when you’re at home or traveling.

5 Tips on how to Travel on a Budget

1. Open up the opportunity for an honest dialogue

This was the most important step in making this a trip that would fit my budget. I emailed my sisters and asked them questions about their expectations for when we were actually on the trip, and shared my concerns.

Growing up, when our family went out with other families, no one split the check. One family paid and then the next time a different family paid. It was a cultural norm that someone treated for a meal. I often feel that expectation when dining out, which is difficult when you can’t afford to pay for a large party.

Both of my sisters were very understanding and enthusiastic about making meals affordable during our trip. I’m not sure if this concern even crossed their minds, but by bringing it up beforehand, I was able to raise their awareness and clear up expectations.

2. Eat Simple Breakfasts

Our hotel didn’t provide breakfast as part of the stay. I told my sisters that I would like to buy simple breakfasts that I could eat in the hotel room each morning. I didn’t expect them to do it, but that that was what I was planning to do. It turns out they wanted to do it too so the first day we went to the grocery store and bought cereal, oatmeal packets, bananas, and peanut butter. I also brought apples and a large bag of trail mix I brought with me on the plane which lasted through the whole trip.

Coffee Tip: I’m a coffee lover and like my coffee strong. If you want a good cup of coffee near the Grand Canyon, RP’s Stage Stop Internet Cafe and Gift Shop is the place to go!

3. Have picnic lunches…or dinners

One thing we learned about the Grand Canyon was that people come for the hiking and not for the food! When we hiked in the Grand Canyon, we stopped at the Market and had a picnic lunch. It was delicious and cheap. We bought bread, salami, cheese, lettuce, chips, and hummus which we all shared.

The last night before we flew home, we did the same thing but had a picnic dinner in our hotel room.

4. Share Meals

The times when we did eat out, most of the time we shared two meals between three of us. This was a great way to try more things on the menu and keep from feeling overfull. Restaurant portions are so large these days that feeling stuffed or leftovers are usually a given. When you’re traveling, though, leftovers usually get thrown out.  Sharing meals is a great solution.

5. Skip the souvenirs

It’s tempting to buy something from the gift shop at the Grand Canyon, especially when it helps fund the park. But if you’re on a budget and you’re desperately trying to declutter, skip the souvenirs.

I ended up buying one baseball hat on our way to Sedona because I forgot to pack one. I bought my family some Sedona Chocolate which was a clutter free gift and something small I knew they would enjoy.

What are ways that you stay on budget when you travel?

This post will be shared at these link ups.

Related

About Angela

Wife. Mom to three boys. Writer. Reader. Aspiring Minimalist. Lover of chocolate and fitness. She loves blogging about the ways she is finding success in simplifying life one step at a time. Her mantra is "Progress, not Perfection."

❮❮ Previous Post
Next Post ❯ ❯

Comments

  1. Abby @ WinsteadWandering says

    May 17, 2016 at 8:20 am

    These are great tips! I always bring a reusable water bottle to avoid paying for overpriced bottles, especially at the airport. We don’t do many souvenirs (that might change as the kids get older), but we love to grab a refrigerator magnet from places we travel. They’re cheap and we’re reminded of our fun trip every time we open the fridge.

    • Angela says

      May 18, 2016 at 1:21 am

      I did that too Abby! I was happy to see the filtered water bottle stations in the airport I was in! It is a great way to save at the airport.

  2. melinda says

    May 17, 2016 at 6:38 pm

    Hi Angela, Funny this should be in my inbox today. My Mama and I are traveling Thurs to see my baby graduate as an eye Doctor! Can you say proud as Punch?? lol
    We were already planning to take food, cuz we are both on tiny budgets!
    But I hadn’t thought of sharing meals! Thanks!

    • Angela says

      May 18, 2016 at 1:20 am

      Congratulations Melinda! You must be so proud. Have a wonderful time! I hope you make many special memories!

  3. JoDitt says

    May 18, 2016 at 11:23 pm

    I’m traveling this weekend, so these tips will come in handy. I usually always take some snacks, like trail mix, and some bottles of water when I travel by car.

  4. Emily says

    May 19, 2016 at 8:38 am

    Great tips! Yes…skip the souvenirs. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Eating while traveling can add up quickly. But a little planning prior to the trip can really help!

  5. Angela @marathonsandmotivation.com says

    May 21, 2016 at 10:27 pm

    Great Travel tips! My family loves to travel, so we are always looking for the most affordable ways to do so. Pinned ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Donna @ Soul Survival says

    May 22, 2016 at 6:38 am

    Great tips, Angela! My husband and I often make 2 meals out of our entree when we go out to eat, but as you said, that’s not usually not an option when traveling, so sharing is great. I have friends who also order appetizers instead of a whole entree. I’m with you on the souvenirs. Unless it’s something useful, it’s just clutter which I definitely don’t need more of!

    Blessings!

  7. Nancy Andres @obloggernewbie.blogspot.com says

    May 22, 2016 at 8:57 am

    Great ideas for travel on a budget Angela; I like the ideas so much I pinned the blog. Communication is so important in any relationship, as this blog illustrates. Nancy Andres @ obloggernewbie.blogspot.com

  8. alicia says

    May 24, 2016 at 9:21 pm

    Your article stood out to me on the link up, saving money while traveling can be so hard! I love these ideas! Thanks for sharing!

    Following you on instagram to know when you have new posts!
    @katemaeveco

    • Angela says

      May 27, 2016 at 5:17 pm

      Thanks for dropping by Alicia! I hope a few of these tips were new to you and that they help you save money!

  9. Victoria @ Creative Home Keeper says

    May 25, 2016 at 2:42 pm

    Great tips! Saving this to refer to later this summer when we have a little bit of a vacation!

  10. Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says

    May 25, 2016 at 10:34 pm

    I like these tips. Many of these we do on any trip we take. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to go anywhere with a family of 5! What a memorable trip crossing off one of your mom’s bucket list items. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinned to our linkup board and hope you found some great posts to visit this week!

    • Angela says

      May 27, 2016 at 4:54 pm

      Thanks Tanya. I agree (as a family of 5 as well) that we have to do all of these things to make them affordable!

  11. Mother of 3 says

    May 26, 2016 at 7:23 am

    Great tips! We try to find hotels with kitchens or kitchenettes; with a family of 5 eating out is always our biggest expense but having a kitchen available helps us keep meals inside… or we’ll get take out pizza in the room; much cheaper than a nice restaurant and I still don’t have to cook.

    • Angela says

      May 27, 2016 at 4:51 pm

      Those are two great tips! I agree, we’re a family of 5 too and eating out gets expensive quick.

  12. Echo says

    May 26, 2016 at 10:47 pm

    YAY! I posted helpful, frugal travel tips this week too! Thanks for sharing yours at the #SmallVictoriesSundayLinkup!

    • Angela says

      May 27, 2016 at 3:25 pm

      Great! I’ll check it out – traveling families need all the tips they can gather!

  13. Shirley Wood says

    May 27, 2016 at 10:08 am

    Great tips! Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday.

Hi Friend! I’m Angela

Welcome to my blog where I write about simplifying life in small, manageable steps and creating healthy habits. You'll find inspiration, practical tips and community here for the decluttering you're doing in your own life. (whether that's physical, mental, or emotional clutter) Thanks so much for stopping by! Read Moreโ€ฆ

Courtney Carver’s Soulful Simplicity Course

Let’s Connect!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

How to Start Making Changes in 5 Important Areas

FREE Step by Step Instructions!

You feel overwhelmed by your space and you don't know where to start. Here is a 1 page guide that will walk you step by step through decluttering any space in your home.

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Your 1 page "cheatsheet" is on the way!

Top Posts & Pages

  • 7 Steps to Start Hand Lettering
    7 Steps to Start Hand Lettering
  • How to Start Swedish Death Cleaning
    How to Start Swedish Death Cleaning
  • Basement Clutter Tour
    Basement Clutter Tour
  • Basement Clutter Reveal
    Basement Clutter Reveal
  • Lagom: What it is and How to Start Living It
    Lagom: What it is and How to Start Living It

Affiliate Disclosure

This website may include affiliate links. These companies pay a small commission to me for sharing their products and services at no additional cost to you.

Disclosure

All information on this blog is from the author’s experience and is not intended to be professional advice. When using ideas from this blog, readers should use common sense and caution.

Amazon Associates

Setting My Intention participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate ad program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Copyright

Copyright Setting My Intention 2018. All rights reserved. Please feel free to share content from this website with a reference to the website and link back to the original page or post.

 

Copyright 2016 Pretty Chic Theme By: Pretty Darn Cute Design On Genesis Framework