Ways to Save on the Food Budget for a Family of 6
By Jolene Cullen of Magical Adventures Travel
We are the typical American, Brady Bunch family. I have 2 children from a previous marriage and my husband does as well. One thing that happened to my vacation budget going from a family of 3 to a family of 6 was my budget DOUBLED!
Most hotel rooms only accommodate 4 so much of our vacation budget goes to a bigger hotel – but that is a whole different blog! Let us discuss that food budget.
Our kids range from 17 to 10. So, each has a plus size appetite as they are growing teens. This past vacation to Arizona, I challenged the kids and the parents alike to see what we can do to maintain a friendly food budget and they rose to the challenge.
Here are some things we found helpful to save on food as we went 7 days in Scottsdale, Arizona.
1) PLANNING!
a. Look on TripAdvisor for restaurants around your vacation destination. See what is on the menu, look at prices.
For Example: Angie’s Lobster Rolls. Wonderful place to get great lobster sandwiches in a combo (see below about POP!) and for a family of 6 to get quality lobster sandwiches with fries and a drink – total was $77.04! Drive through ONLY!
2) GET AWAY FROM THE AIRPORT!
a. Do I need to say more about this? Airport prices are crazy! Our last flight was late, and my daughter needed to eat something. She got a wrap and a yogurt parfait (no drink), and it cost $18.55. The airport is a budget nightmare. I ate the rest of my mini frosted wheat. 😊
3) HOTEL with a KITCHEN. Remember we are going to be in a bigger room anyways so why not find one that has a kitchen so that we can cook a meal or two! We opted to stay at the Holiday Inn Club Vacation in Scottsdale. A two-bedroom Villa that had space for 6 people and 2 bathrooms! There are all kinds of options for hotels with kitchens or kitchenettes!
a. Breakfast consisted of cereal and/or toast.
b. Tacos with the fixings for supper one night.
4) GROCERY SHOPPING – see above!
a. Download the local grocery store app!
i. We saved money with local digital store coupons. 25% savings!
ii. Manager savings – my son did not care for the cereal on sale and the manager matched the price for a flavor my son did like. Extra savings and extra especially nice service – completely unexpected!
b. Monitor the use of milk – YEP 1 gallon for the week for the 6 of us!
5) Let’s talk POP! (SODA, COKE, ETC)
a. Drinks that cost extra are not allowed. If the drink is included in the meal, then it is okay. However, if it costs extra – then I am so sorry! Water is the only option then. As a travel expert momma – I carry water flavor enhancers with me everywhere otherwise no one gets hurt by drinking water! 😊
6) DOWNLOAD THOSE APPS!
a. Day one we went to Wendy’s and got a FREE COMBO MEAL! That is a $6.00+ savings!
7) CHECKED BAGGAGE
a. Nothing says save on a vacation budget then packing groceries that you have already paid for from your regular grocery budget! Some of these ideas are:
i. Microwave popcorn.
ii. Water Flavor Enhancers
iii. Candy/Sweet Treats
iv. Trail Mix
v. Jerky
vi. Laundry Detergent – Dryer Sheets (Do not eat these – but if you have laundry needs – bring it with you!)
8) VISIT FAMILY!
a. Yes, this one can be a budget saver but be mindful of course. Our families get together when we visit each other so we knew in advance that one night we would be making pizzas at the aunt’s house so the kids could be spoiled and loved. Also saved on the budget!
9) TIMESHARE DISCUSSION
a. Yes, my husband and I took one for the team on this one. At check in, we were offered $300 at the resort restaurant if we sat in on a timeshare discussion for 90 minutes (yes most of you know the one). So, why not! Kids got to sleep in one morning. We sat in on the meeting. And the last night of our resort stays, the kids had fun figuring out which mocktail and dessert they could have and how we could spend $300 at the restaurant. For a family of 6, it was not that hard! No, we did not get a timeshare – maybe one year if it works out for us – but we just did not this time. I do not want anyone thinking we did it ONLY for the benefit although you would get no judgement from me if you did.
Overall, when I plan our family vacations, I budget around $50 a day per person. For these 9 days away from home for 6 people, the budget would have been $2700 for food! (9x$50) x6. We spent…. drum roll please…. $1192.35! Keep in mind that we did not do this challenge because we had to but because we chose to. Just because we can spend more – why? I find it just as fun to plan a budget friendly vacation as to plan a luxury vacation. It is in the eye of the beholder. I leave these tips here for you to take and use as you wish or to not use. This was my family’s experience and some of these tips may work for you, and some may not. And sometimes you just have to go to Starbucks! Whatever you choose, I hope you have fun and create a lasting memory!
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