My post yesterday was about making the “coming home” part of traveling a little bit easier after the holiday season. Today I thought I’d touch on how to travel cheaper during the holiday season (or any time for that matter).

• Order and save samples – any time you see samples for things like toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo etc, make sure to sign up. Starting a stock pile of these freebie items is a great way to save money when you travel. There is no need to go out and spend money on travel sized items when you can collect them all year long in the form of samples.
• Contact cases have duplicate uses – If you have contacts like me, you probably have cases stuck here and there throughout your bathroom and purse just in case you ever need them. Did you know contact cases are a great way to transport things like moisturizer, foundation and cleanser? I came up with this trick since I travel for my job and was having a hard time getting all my liquids to fit in a quart size baggie. The TSA guidelines are definitely not female friendly as you can barely take any liquids if you don’t want to check your bag in. Using a contact case can help save space and gives you a 3-4 day supply of whatever you are carrying. Just make sure to label each side of the contact case so you don’t forget what they contain.
• Bring snacks – Traveling can get expensive when you are eating every meal on the road. Bringing food with you can help cut these costs and also is much better for you. If your out of ideas on what to bring, The Hillbilly Housewife has a pretty extensive lunchbox idea list that will give you a great place to start.
• Make a list – You don’t want to forget those last minute items like a cell phone charger, or worse have to go buy another one because you forgot it at home. Make a list of items that you will be taking on your trip so you won’t for get anything.

Following these four simple tips can add up to big savings for your holiday travels. If you have other tips to share, please leave a comment, I’d really like to hear what you do to save money!

From Linda Watson at Cook For Good. Don’t forget about her e-book! It makes a great holiday gift.

A few steps before you travel makes coming home easy.

My mother keeps a very clean house and never more so than before a trip. She taught us that having everything spic and span when you return makes it easier to come back to “real life” after a vacation.

You can take this good idea into your kitchen with these few simple steps. Bonus: you’ll reduce your chances of wasting money by letting food spoil while you are gone.

• A week before your trip, start shopping and cooking with the goal of using up your perishable food. Plan to bring something to share when you arrive.
• A day or two before you leave, make a pot of stew to use up perishable produce. Freeze a meal’s worth for your return.
• Make Bread-and-Fruit Pudding  to use up extra eggs, milk, bread, and fruit.
• Still have milk on hand? Make Chocolate or Vanilla Pudding or ice cream. Freeze some in single-serving cups to provide a no-fuss dessert when you get home.
• Mix up a batch of whisk bread or pizza dough. The dairy-free versions just get better with time for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. It will be a snap to bake the day you get home or the next day.
• Pack a picnic if you will be driving for several hours. You’ll save time and money compared to stopping on the road and probably eat better too.
• Freeze any bread you don’t eat before you leave.
• Cook onions, celery, peppers, and garlic and freeze to add to stews or pasta sauce when you get home.
• Feed your stoup container.
• Offer what is left to your neighbors, local soup kitchen, or compost heap

Photo Credit: Image: jscreationzs / FreeDigitalPhotos.net