Spill the beans... self-catering on holiday tips

miss_renegade

What we do when we go away is buy a cheap local bottle to make cocktails with
At 6Euros each for a cocktail in a bar, it doesn't make sense buying them when you can get a bottle of say local Malibu and cartons of pineapple juice for cheaper (and it lasts ages!)
We tend to buy a multi pack of croissants for breakfasts as they last a few days, and make our own sandwiches for lunch (usually to take to the beach!) I find i generally eat less abroad in hot weather anyway as we're constanly drinking water to keep hydrated!

GlynD

prudent_princess wrote: »

I would rather have to do do all this (its no trouble actually - in fact I enjoy it!) than stay at home!

Most of the items we have to take are already in our trailer tent any-way..it's just a case of thowing in some tins and packets before we go.

If you enjoy doing it then ok. If it were me though I'd rather stay home than have to do all that work to save money when I get there. I prefer to relax on holidays and have nothing to worry about therefore if I can't afford to go and spend freely, I stay at home. Mind you I live in a kind of an idylic setting and not everyone does so it's horses for courses I guess.

Gloomendoom

smithcvs wrote: »

Really good advice. Anyone going for the first time will save a fortune if you ask at the store for a Winn-Dixie card (discount card) free of charge. Can usually be used on the first and any subsequent shops. Go for it !!!!

:huh: Going where for the first time?

prudent_princess

GlynD wrote: »

If you enjoy doing it then ok. If it were me though I'd rather stay home than have to do all that work to save money when I get there. I prefer to relax on holidays and have nothing to worry about therefore if I can't afford to go and spend freely, I stay at home. Mind you I live in a kind of an idylic setting and not everyone does so it's horses for courses I guess.

I absolutely love where I live...but I still want to go away.
Its seeing new places and experiencing new things, meeting new people etc etc.

I love that we save a fortune on the holiday itself and have soo much more spending money.

Whats so hard about throwing a few tins/packets in to a bag?

prudent_princess

GlynD wrote: »

If you enjoy doing it then ok. If it were me though I'd rather stay home than have to do all that work to save money when I get there. I prefer to relax on holidays and have nothing to worry about therefore if I can't afford to go and spend freely, I stay at home. Mind you I live in a kind of an idylic setting and not everyone does so it's horses for courses I guess.

The thread is about tips on self catering on holiday.

Why are you on this forum???

theshed

While in Florida some of the parks and Disney hotels have food offers. You pay an amount upfront are given a wrist band and can then use as often as you like in selected restraunts and food outlets. Admitedly choice can be limited but for the odd day it is well worth it especially as cold drinks are usually included.
TopTip, our children like to wear their wrist bands as a sort of trophy and as we found on the next visit the band was the same colour we took turns in buying one less and reusing the old one ! Chavvy I know, but I guess Universal can afford it !!!

bluecowonthebus

maestro2001 wrote: »

Could I ask which website you use for this? This is something we are seriously considering in the future and would appreciate a recommendation. Thanks.

This isn't something I have done but I was a member of the NCT charity which operates a houseswap register for their members - convenient if you have young children. https://www.ncthouseswap.ning.com

Otherwise there is some information in this article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/8296404/House-swapping-on-the-rise-as-holidaymakers-save-money.html

GlynD

prudent_princess wrote: »

The thread is about tips on self catering on holiday.

Why are you on this forum???

Try reading all of my posts if it's not too much trouble.

Angelfeathers

Heh, I am so used to taking everything bar the kitchen sink that it's hard to believe that some people don't!

Basically, I like to know I've got what I need with me. I also like cooking, and find cooking a basic meal while I'm away actually far less stressful than going out and trying to decide which restaurant, which meal etc.! (Yeah, I know I'm weird!) I always take some tins, some ready-cooked meals, loads of bottles of tap water (frozen to keep things cool), cereal, herbs, flour, ketchup etc. etc. with me, as well as things like a wooden spoon for non-stick pans - ever since a cottage that had all non-stick pans and only metal spoons!!!

julie777

DON'T OVERBUY!
I used to get far too much food in. Don't bother too much about lunches as after a late breakfast and nibbles here and there they probably won't need a midday meal.
VERSATILITY!
Get in things which can be used for any meal such as eggs, sausages, beans etc.
LEFTOVER DAY!
Don't plan every day's meals as you will probably have enough leftovers for the last day of the week.
MAKE IT EASY!
If you can get TV dinners at a good price then do so - you can put your feet up while it's cooking!