Tips on travelling cheap

[Pergamum]

Okay, I just started planning...but it already looks like I am going to be flying to at least 7 cities and putting about 5,000 miles on my car during my furlough travels to many, many other cities.

I have a minivan waiting for me (with a SWEEeeet dvd player for the chilluns).



How do I not break my bank while keeping in touch with supporters? With gas so high, we are worried...


--We usually try to stay in homes...though hotels are SWEET sometimes when we need privacy,
--We also do not eat at restaurants unless we eat with others (stopping at grocery stores to buy a loaf of bread and smoked turkey...etc).

We have one supporter that has accumulated points in a timeshare and we might be able to use a place for free....but most of the places are in vacation spots (where our churches are not).



Ideas from others (tell me if these are good ideas..and then add your own):

--Joe suggested we see if someone can lend us their cell phones instead of us buying cell phones new,
--Someone else suggested that folks can donate gas cards,
--Someone else asked if donating frequent flyers miles was possible (is it?),
--We had several churches make us sandwiches when we departed to cut out our need for a restaurant trip midway...(one such trip can eat 50 bucks in an hour!)...



Any other advice on travelling cheap with 2 kids, a pregnant wife and many thousands of miles?

 

[kvanlaan]

Come stay with us. Accomodation: free. Food: free. Laundry: free. You'll hardly be noticed at all. You may even get lost in the shuffle.

Other than that, stop at supermarkets when you fill up with gas to get ingredients to make lunch, get a small propane stove at a garage sale to cook (so you're not eating sandwiches all the time), and drive 55 mph. Also, go to Hypermiling :: Even without a hybrid car, no more need to compare gas prices

Check out the frugal tips threads - lots of that stuff can be applied as well.

 

[LawrenceU]

Get a WalMart cash card. Buy your gas at Murhpy Oil, which is located at many WalMart stores. You will get a discount off of already cheap gasoline.

 

[Pergamum]

I wish I had more contacts in Ontario Canada...that's a LONG way away.

 

[Herald]

Pergy, if you're still planning on coming through the Baltimore-Washington area, let me know. You'll be fed, clothes laundered, a place to stay, gas tank filled.

 

[Scottish Lass]

Gas is also under $2/gallon in much of the States. You've got a place in Kentucky if you need it while traveling through to supporters.

 

[brianeschen]

Frequent flyer miles may be used by anyone if the owner is willing to make the arrangements. All it takes is for them to have the trip details and then make the call.

Our family always prays when we travel (for free/cheap stuff). It is fun to see how God provides.

 

[Leslie]

Stop for grocery stuff at medium-sized cities, places like Aldi's (the best for prices) or at least Jewel or the likes. The small shops connected to gas stations have MUCH higher prices for food items than large grocery chains.

We camp in National Forest campgrounds, much cheaper than any other camp grounds. Can you have one of your supporters fix up in-the-van sleeping accomodations for you? Something that folds away and you can use sleeping bags?

 

[jwithnell]

You might see if there are hostels with family rooms in any of the places where you don't have contacts. They're likely to be cheaper than hotels and give you a place to cook and (sometimes) do laundry.

 

[py3ak]

I think you'll find a lot of generosity and understanding from people - especially if you do a bit of judicious uncomplaining grumbling about things. Tell horrible things as though they were funny stories and you get bonus points for being cheerful and patient, plus all the sympathy.

Dress your children in the rattiest clothing you can find, but keep them clean. That way they are cute and cash-enticing.

If someone's buying, have them take you to Denny's (or just poke your head in the door without buying anything) and get the coupon books for hotels. You can often save a lot off the regular price that way: and if you have a rewards membership you can earn free nights.

 

[OPC'n]

You can stay here if you come to wi! I have a whole finished basement that can be you guys'!

 

[Edward]

a restaurant trip midway...(one such trip can eat 50 bucks in an hour!)...

$50 for a meal for two adults and 2 kids? How old are the children? If they are still young, a stop at a McDonald's with an indoor playground, meals for everyone should get you out for about $20 with some exercise for the children. More, but not much more than sandwich makings and drinks from a grocery.

Get a cooler so you can buy drinks at WalMart instead of convenience stores.

Look for public playgrounds in the nicer suburbs where the children can get some exercise when the weather is nice. Google can be useful for finding locations like that along your way.

If you do stay in motels, be careful about false economy. Saving a few dollars on a room for the night can be offset if you are robbed.