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Budget Dining Tips While Traveling
Eat cheaply and well with these 10 tips
by Annie B. Copps
Yankee's food editor Annie B. Copps has these 10 tips for travelers:
1. Bring a cooler with you and pack snacks and beverages.
2. Eat your big meal at lunch.
3. Eat seasonal foods.
4. Ask the locals (or cab drivers) for recommendations and avoid the tourist traps.
5. Get the local paper and look for:
a. food festivals (example: a chowder fest)
b. pancake breakfast fundraisers
c. coupons
d. early bird specials
e. senior and "under 5" discounts
6. Eat at the grocery store (soup and salad bars).
7. Avoid the mini bar (bring your own).
8. Happy hour -- They're not just for cocktails, there is always food, too (tip well).
9. Appetizers -- order 2 appetizers and a salad rather than an appetizer and entree.
10. Drink filtered water rather than bottled at restaurants.
See Annie discuss these budget tips on NECN's Cut Your Cost Campaign.
Budget dining at home: Recipes Under $10
Reader Comments
Comment from Wayne Phoenix on June 3, 2008
Article Bread Up- Lobster Down...no date on the article when was this printed? Thanks
Comment from on June 9, 2008
I often get appetizers and a salad rather than a meal, and if often costs more, particularly in places where a salad is included in the meal proce.
Comment from Helen Dube on June 9, 2008
Excellent advice. I really like the advice - appetisers and salad - it might result in weight loss as well economics!
Comment from Patricia Esposito on June 10, 2008
I agree 2 appetizers would cost more than a meal. I'd rather order the meal and take some home for the next day.
Comment from Pamela Sparrow on February 18, 2009
We often will order one appetizer (or salad ) for me and my husband will order a main course and we share each. We have found that as we age we eat less food and this really is exactly enough for us both.
Comment from Ray Narwid on August 26, 2009
We also travel with plastic knives and forks. Depending on what we eat, we cut it up to go and have it next day. Most places have refridgerators to keep it cold. if not use you ice chest.
Comment from Theresa Townshend on January 21, 2010
I like to eat a good breakfast around 10 and then lunch/dinner around 3. Two meals a day satisfy us quite nicely.
Comment from susan eagan on January 21, 2010
Another good way to get a tip from a local is to "gas up" on your way in town, and ask there.
Comment from Sandra McMillin on January 22, 2010
Look for hotels that offer a complimentary breakfast. We did this on a recent cross country trip and it really helped our budget. We also did some picnicking and had a cooler full of drinks and snacks.
Comment from Jeanne Battisti on March 12, 2010
We try to avoid eating out 3 times a day. Instead, we eat breakfast and some dinners in our room (we usually get a room with a kitchenette). Bring your own snacks too or shop at grocery store for them. Make a point of eating at least one meal in per day, preferably two.
Comment from on January 23, 2011
If you stay at hotels that include breakfast, it would be too much to eat lunch as the big meal of the day.
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