So you want to travel! And you’re concerned about the cost of the travel. I understand; I get it! Before leaving home, you can estimate some costs: transportation, food, lodging and sightseeing admission costs. Use realistic numbers when calculating these estimates and then add what you feel could be your “slush fund”. Those monies are what you may need to cover the surprises … increased fees, emergencies, or paying for an event you truly wish to attend and just learned about while on your trip!
Does everything cost money? Not exactly. Where things do cost money, there may be ways to accomplish the same or similar in less expensive ways. I look for ways to not break my bank account.
Gas to power the vehicle. Some people can drive hybrid vehicles and get better gas mileage than me with my van at 20 miles per gallon. However, others wish to travel in a larger RV and they only get 8 miles per gallon. So choose the travel vehicle best for your travel budget and go forth!
My go-to choices when looking for gasoline at less dollars per gallon is to check my GasBuddy app. There I see what gas station has the least expensive gas price, especially when there is no Costco in the area. Otherwise I use my basic Costco membership for my gasoline bill. With it I often pay 5 to 25 cents less per gallon than another station in the area. Those cents add up to saving dollars.
Other people may use Sam’s Club, another membership that can help you save money. I recently signed up for Love’s Travel Stop. Besides saving cents per gallon, I can wash my windshield with their longer-handled windshield brushes. Plus if I need a shower, after a few boon-docking nights or Harvest Host nights with no services, I can reserve/take a shower for $18 at a Love’s Travel Stop.
Food to power you. You’re driving down the road and billboard messages entice you to try a place at the upcoming exit for their cheese, ice cream, hamburgers, etc. Willpower is needed. Keep your budget in mind!
Dependent on your method of travel … are you tenting, in a van/RV decked out with kitchen, or such as my van where I use a backpacker stove at a picnic table? In your estimates, you would know the breakfast with yogurt, cereal and blueberries may not be every morning. My coffee and tea per day are a constant. So how many mornings did you plan to eat an omelet or pancakes out?
In your estimates, you may have planned lunches with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or cheese and crackers, fruit and nuts. What number of lunches may be eaten on the road? Or will you snack and have a late lunch, early dinner on the road?
I have seen people carry all kinds of kitchen appliances, even if their RV has a kitchen! Additional grills, InstaPots and waffle makers. If you’re carrying them along, are you using them?
My approach: when the weather is nice, I’ll cook every meal on my backpacker stove or make a sandwich or have food directly from my cooler. When weather is not so nice, I quickly boil water for a dehydrated meal from my food box. If I am swamped with bad weather, I consider buying food I can eat with no prep needed.
Here’s where supermarkets are helpful. I love having a sandwich for lunch or dinner and often will buy a bread roll, sandwich fixings at the deli counter and make my own sandwich. I love the markets where you can buy one roll at a time! My best meals are when I buy a roasted rotisserie chicken and shred the chicken breasts for future sandwiches with tomato and avocado! I usually eat the thighs and legs straight-away. I love adding coleslaw to all my supermarket sandwiches. Some markets have the California sushi roll, rice pudding, small curd cottage cheese and kefir … other food items I look for when in a store. Don’t forget to check the day-old product shelf! You’ll probably be eating the item that day and you’ll be saving 50%! Fresh fruit and individually-packed fruit containers work for me to keep a balanced diet.
Every state in our union has a special food to brag about, such as brats, cheese curds and Kringles in Wisconsin. So I look for the food and try it … another joy when traveling! Some day I’ll actually do a food tour as I travel. That would be so much fun!
Don’t forget to eat where locals eat. Often I find more food served at a less expensive cost, so ask for recommendations to local eateries. I also learned they often only take cash … so be prepared!
Each day I will make coffee and tea, then it is water for the rest of the day. Hot days, electrolytes are added. Relaxing moments and wanting something different on my tastebuds, I’ll drink a small soda or electrolyte drink purchased from the supermarket. Late afternoon, I often have a Guinness beer. Buying drinks from establishments is costly; however, I do have a set amount of money on my Starbucks card. Rainy days may be the morning I buy my coffee at that establishment, but when I am out of the money I set on the card, I am done.
Where to sleep at night. If you are traveling with an RV, or like myself in a self-contained van, the decision is quite easy. Choose the campground you can afford. Many apps and guides can help, plus each state has state parks. I also like the Harvest Hosts membership where I can request a stay, pull in to the location and only pay $30. I’ve met campers who stay on Bureau of Land Management or Army Corp of Engineer locations. Again, there are books providing those details.
Motels, hotels, bed and breakfast places, glamping and cabins are other options. If you go the motel/hotel route, then join their loyalty card so you can save dollars, and/or gain a free night, after staying so many nights. Or select a credit card linked with a hotel chain. You’ll spend money throughout the year, so pay those bills with the credit card and points add up. It’ll allow you to use the points toward the hotel chain the credit card is linked with. As a result, enjoy a free night at the hotel while on the road.
Sightseeing costs. Prioritize what you want to see while traveling. Dependent on the museum, art gallery, wildlife refuge, theme park, local, state or national park, beach or place you wish to visit, there may or may not be a cost. Do some research before heading to an attraction. Some places have hours later in the day with a lower entrance cost. Others are free on some or all days.
Gift shops … wow, here is a place to easily spend money. Check your budget and think before spending. I always see so many cute things to purchase, but my budget just doesn’t allow it. When I do purchase something, it truly is something special!
If visiting more than one, for example state park, it may be worth buying an annual or season ticket than a daily ticket. Combine activities. Some are free and others may cost. Try not to shell out money every day.
I have a hard time being indoors on a beautiful day, so I’ll head to a wildlife refuge, local park or nature center … all of which rarely have a cost. Or I’ll take a longer hike or bicycle ride. But, there are some sights you just have to see and they will/may cost an entrance fee. That’s okay since your original travel plan may have had them already in your budget. Go for it! The point of traveling it is to learn and see a variety of new things. Remember, there are discounts for seniors, military, etc. so make use of them too!
Don’t let money slow down your travel plan. Do set some monies aside each month in anticipation of a trip. The money you currently spend to eat at home or visit a special exhibit needs to be shuffled to cover on-the-road expenses. Be clear-headed about your goal. You’ll figure out what works best for you and your family. Each time I travel I learn something new or discover what works best for me. Plan what you can and be ready for the adventure! Go have fun!
