Whittle Away at Your Waist, Not Your Wallet

April 02, 2013

Spring break isn’t only for college kids. I’ve been enjoying the last two weeks of March down in Florida for my own spring vacation for the past several years. But being on vacation usually means frequently eating out, which isn’t good for either my waist or my wallet.  Here are some tips I’ve found helpful to save on both calories and coins when on vacation:

• When reserving a room, look for a hotel that features a kitchenette and free breakfast.  Not only can you usually find healthy oatmeal and fresh fruit at the breakfast bar, this can provide a savings of about $70 over a two week vacation. My favorites include the Homewood Suites and Residence Inn, which both provide not only a free breakfast but also dinner in the evening on weekdays.  Even better, rent a condo with a fully stocked kitchen so you can cook most meals in and you can be a healthy chef.  You can typically buy a whole week’s worth of groceries for the price of one fancy restaurant meal.
• Grabbing a quick, casual meal on the go? Check out the kid’s menu! A few days ago, I visited Boston Market, where I got a full meal with a drink for less than $5.  The portion was small and the cup was tiny (it did come with free refills), but that’s okay, since it is tough to be beach body ready when you eat a super-sized fast food meal.  Don’t just use this strategy on vacation.  If you spent only half of what you might normally during the year, this could result in a savings of about $780 based on grabbing a kid’s lunch combo instead of a super-sized fast food combo three times a week for a year.
• Clip coupons for two for one dinners from the local entertainment guide and enjoy your meal with a friend.  When your food arrives, both of you should immediately box up half to take home for your next day’s lunch and then you end up getting four meals for the price of one!  This way you aren’t tempted to clean off your plate and not have anything left to take with you.

How do you avoid derailing your own budget and diet while vacationing?  Share your stories by commenting below.