With a little preparation, it is easy to curb spending on healthy food and personal care products while on a road trip.
Here are three money-saving tips to get you started:
1. Stock up for road trips before hitting the road.
While you might not be able to bring along all of the fresh produce you will need while on a road trip lasting more than a few days, you can easily stock up on dry goods and food products that will not expire until far into the future. By stocking up on dry pasta, organic canned beans, frozen vegetables, healthy snacks, supplements and cereals when they are on sale, you can avoid having to pay full price for them during your travels. If you use coupons to purchase these items while they are on sale at your local grocer, you can save even more.
2. Visit farmers’ markets and produce stands.
Local farmers’ markets and produce stands are perfect for finding locally grown, organic produce that is often less expensive than similar foods sold in grocery stores. Visiting a farmers’ market is also just a great way to spend an afternoon and experience a bit of the local lifestyle, so this can count as a money-saving measure and a fun activity. Many local markets have entertainment, prepared foods and vendors selling locally made arts and crafts, making them a perfect option for taking a break from being on the road, stretching your legs and exploring local culture, while also picking up some healthy, fresh food items.
3. Pick up Sunday and Wednesday newspapers while traveling.
Picking up a Sunday paper while you are on the road will allow you to take advantage of money-saving coupons that come in the Sunday inserts. There may also be sales ads for local stores showing where you can get good deals on healthy items wherever you are traveling. Keep in mind that Sunday papers on holiday weekends usually do not have inserts, so be sure to check inside the paper before you purchase it.
Most grocery stores run their sales from Thursday through Tuesday, which is why you also want to pick up a Wednesday newspaper – since that is usually where you will find weekly ads for local grocery stores. Many grocery stores now have a section of their sales ads dedicated to natural, healthy selections, making it easy to find the best deals.
In Part 2, we’ll chat more about how to save money with coupons and saving even more by matching coupons with store sales.
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