We left on Friday for a little weekend trip to Nashville (met up with my sister and her family since they are in the states for a couple weeks...sooo good to see them, I missed them so much!!)...but, anyways...we did no couponing and lots of shopping and eating out. It was a time out from everything--cleaning, cooking, couponing...everything...and it was so much fun! We ate way too much, spent way too much and had way too much fun, but it was so worth it. I think that every now and then you should just relax and enjoy yourself...within your means...
Although we did not coupon we still did save in certain areas:
1. We did redeem some gas gift cards before our trip from one of our credit cards that does rewards. So, we spent $60.00 less on gas than we should have, which is good! We basically had to pay for 2 fill ups instead of 3. We also booked a room that offered a $25 gas gift card (will be mailed) if you chose that particular package (the package without the gift card included the same room but it was $2 cheaper...just didn't make sense not to get the gift card). *Saved $60 + $25 dollar gift will be mailed*
2. We typically stay at super nice hotels (Ritz, Trump, etc), and pay tons of money per night...but we decided to be a little more reasonable and get a decent 3-3.5 star hotel (definitely wouldn't recommend anything lower)...and it was still very nice...free wifi, indoor pool, room service was available, etc...so we did save a lot on the hotel stay also...nobody is there opening the door for you every time you get in and out of your car and there is no valet, but I definitely think I can live without that =) *Saved about $160 for both nights by going with a less expensive hotel room*
3. Bringing a cooler. We packed our cooler with water, soda, juice boxes, and milk and also brought a bag of snacks (most of which we purchased with coupons =)), so when we were in the room we didn't have to spend $2.00 per bottle of water or a bag of chips. Also, while we were on the road we didn't order drinks at the fast food places b/c we had our own. *Saved maybe $10 for the 4 of us??*
4. Eating leftovers. Saturday night we ate hibachi/sushi for dinner...kind of expensive...but so good! We had so much food leftover...so instead of ordering room service for breakfast the next morning or going out to breakfast, we all just ate leftovers--plus my girl love rice (they really embrace their Asian side, like their mommy)!! *Saved at least $10...more if we would have gotten room service...probably would have been more like $30!*
5. Sharing. I have 2 little girls (4 year old and 17 months old), and I cannot eat tons of food in one sitting...I like to eat 5 or 6 smaller meals throughout the day...I'm always hungry! =)....but, me and the girls can share a plate at most places and we're all satisfied. Like for dinner yesterday, while we were on the road, I ordered a 3 piece chicken meal and we each had a piece of chicken and shared the 2 sides and the biscuit. Then my husband ordered his own meal. This is so much cheaper than ordering myself a meal and then the girls their own kids meal, which they will not finish. The only time I will order their own meal is when I order food that will be too spicy, hard for them to eat, or if it's something that is too small or not easily shared. I also do not really care for kids meals because the food is always the same...chicken nuggets, cheese burgers, hot dogs, pizza,...I would rather have my girls try new foods, and enjoy more of a variety...
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