by Sheila-Ann Bender

Created on: July 14, 2008   Last Updated: February 12, 2012

When I was growing up, my parents were the ultimate penny-pinchers, but yet they always managed to take my younger brother and me on wonderful family vacations each summer. They were my greatest teachers when it came to knowing how to save money when traveling with my own little future brood of six. Here are a few of the best tips Mom and Dad taught me:

Take a vacation from "healthy eating"

It's great to eat lots of organic vegetables and green smoothies while home, but you might have to lighten up a bit on the road. Unhealthier foods are cheaper, and fresh organic foods spoil more quickly. I'm not saying that you have to eat entirely unhealthy foods, but you will need to be a little more lax. If you're really opposed to sugary processed foods, buy plenty of boxes of raisins, packages of baby carrots and nut butters to take along on the trip. Remember that a week or two of not-so-healthy eating, won't kill anyone. You can stay on track the other fifty weeks of the year.

Don't buy food items at convenience stores

It's okay to stop for gas and restrooms at convenience stores, but purchase drink and snack items from the major grocery stores before you leave home. Several months prior to vacation, start stocking up on sodas and snack items when they're on sale. Set aside a special place in the garage or pantry for vacation nibbles that are not to be opened before you pull out of the driveway.

Don't pay for breakfast

Find hotels that offer free complimentary continental breakfasts or bring on-the-go breakfast items from your hometown grocer-such as granola bars, fruit and powdered sugar doughnuts. Have small bottles of orange juice or milk inside your ice chest.

Picnic items

Have a picnic for one meal a day. Keep lunch meats, sandwich spreads and cheese inside an ice chest, and always keep a loaf of bread, chips and fruit on hand. Have a contest with the kids to see who can spot the first picnic area when it starts drawing close to mealtime.

Limit restaurant meals

Don't eat in a restaurant (including fast food) more than one meal per day. This will save you a bundle. Resist the urge to order expensive steaks or lobster while trying to save money on a vacation. Eat sensibly priced meals, and a set a spending limit with the kids. If you've handled money well, and it's almost time to go home-go the whole nine yards just once and splurge on one nice meal. Remember, to look for restaurants that offer kids meals for free. Once when my own kids were small-and we were on

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