FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: budget dining

  • Eating Out on a Buget – Tips for Vacation Dining

    Food typically takes a major chunk of any vacation budget. Cooking in your room can save some serious dollars, but many accommodation options don’t have kitchen facilities. Without the comforts of home, travelers often need to eat out, and these restaurant meals can add up quickly. This article offers budget tips for restaurants and other eateries.

    Wherever possible, avoid paying full price. Before you set off, consider signing up for group deals websites in your intended destination, or investing in an Entertainment Book. Both services allow you to dine out at local restaurants for a fraction of the price. Local newspapers also often have discount vouchers for restaurants in the area.

    It can be tempting to go crazy when you’re dining out, but resist the urge to indulge in all three courses. Eating an appetizer, an entrée, and dessert can become a habit that’s difficult to break. Consider how hungry you really are, and order accordingly.

    If you are feeling especially peckish, it’s typically cheaper to choose a buffet restaurant over one offering an a la carte menu. Many smorgasbords charge less than $10, and allow patrons to enjoy as many appetizers, mains, and desserts as they like. The dishes offered are also typically diverse, so they can be a great way to sample plenty of local specialties and food from around the globe. They’re especially affordable for families too, as many buffets allow children to dine free.

    If you’re desperate to try your destination’s high-end restaurants, visit at lunch rather than dinnertime. Lunches are never as busy, so restaurants do their best to lure diners in. It’s common to find more affordable menus and delicious lunchtime specials.

    Specials aren’t only offered at lunchtime though. Most restaurants offer a selection of daily specials at a reduced rate, no matter what the time of day. Choosing one is a great way to save some money, and try a dish recommended by the chef himself!

    With the concept of Meatless Mondays gaining popularity, more diners are considering vegetarian options. Meals made with vegetables, whole grains, and other plant products are generally lower in calories than meat-heavy dishes, but forgoing meat doesn’t just make sense for health nuts. Meat-free dishes are often more affordable. At a good restaurant they’re typically just as delicious as the meaty alternatives too. Who could resist a mixed mushroom risotto, a spinach and ricotta cannelloni, or a hearty vegetable curry?

    Alcohol is another temptation that can add a significant amount to any restaurant bill. Bottomless sodas or water will keep you satiated without breaking the bank. If you must enjoy wine with your meal, consider ordering a single glass or sharing a carafe rather than a bottle.

    cutleryIt might seem a bit stingy, but if your budget’s tight, don’t be afraid to ask for half portions. Some restaurants will happily serve you a smaller meal for less. Alternatively consider ordering an appetizer rather than a main course. Often these smaller, less expensive meals are large enough to satisfy.

    If you find yourself becoming full, don’t let your extra food go to waste. The large portions at generous restaurants can actually make two meals. Take a doggy bag home, and you can enjoy an easy lunch the following day!

  • The World’s Best Guilty Pleasures – Culinary Delights That Won’t Break the Bank

    Forget those over-priced Michelin-star meals cooked up by celebrity chefs. Some of the most delicious items you’ll indulge in overseas will barely make a dent in your budget. These are the fatty, sugary treats guaranteed to expand your waistline and harden your arteries. They’ll test the theory that everything is fine in moderation. These are the world’s guilty pleasures, and they’re accessible to even the most frugal of travelers!

    There’s a reason why the English are famous for their breakfasts. They start the day with a slap-up dish so satisfying you’ll probably still feel full at lunch. The plump sausages, thickly cut bacon, fried eggs, black pudding, and even fried bread probably won’t do your heart any favors, but it’ll taste so good going down.

    We’ve all had roestis, but these shredded potato cakes are best in their native Switzerland. The Swiss play with their iconic dish, and in many cases you’ll find cheeky extras like bacon, Bolognese sauce, and oozy cheese thrown in.

    In Australia pies aren’t pizzas or sweet treats. They’re flaky pastries crammed with beef mince and gravy. In recent years pies have gone posh, with seafood, venison, and curry varieties hitting bakeries. But you can’t beat the original Australian food, preferably topped with a generous amount of tomato sauce. Don’t even think of calling it ketchup when you’re Down Under!

    Almost anything you buy in the United States could be considered a guilty pleasure. The country’s portions are ridiculously generous, and its chefs are game to deep fry just about anything. Make sure you sample all the dishes they’re famous for, including beefy burgers, hot dogs packed with relish, and crispy French Fries.

    Italy is also all about indulgence. The country’s creamy pastas, generously topped pizzas, and lavish meat dishes will all pack on pounds. While the diet’s forgotten make sure you save room for the sweet stuff. The buttery brioche bread and gelati can’t be beat.

    Argentina’s alfajores are designed to tempt your sweet tooth. They’re like a cookie sandwich filled with dulche de leche, a Latin American kind of caramel. As if that wasn’t indulgent enough, often they’re rolled in shaved coconut for a final indulgent flourish. They’re delicious, but so rich that it’s challenging to eat more than one at a time!

    Gulab jamun proves the countries of the Indian subcontinent aren’t just about spicy curries. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal all serve up these doughy balls which are slowly fried, then coated in spiced sugar syrup. They’re often eaten at festivals and weddings, but being abroad is good enough reason to celebrate, don’t you think?

    A New Zealand pavlova
    A New Zealand pavlova

    The Aussies will insist the pavlova’s theirs, but New Zealanders know their country is the true birthplace of this moreish meringue dessert. The dish has a deliciously crisp crust and a soft center. It’s incredibly naughty, but the extravagent fruit topping should help assuage your guilt.

    What have we missed? What are your favorite guilty food pleasures?

  • Vacation on a Shoestring – Save Money & Travel on a Budget

    With a big wide world full of glamorous destinations, it’s very easy for our travel ambitions to become much bigger than our bank balance. But you don’t need to spend a fortune to see what the globe has to offer. By following our simple advice, you can take a vacation for next to nothing.

    The cost of accommodation can be one of the biggest holiday drains. We’d all love to stay in five-star luxury, but if you’re planning a holiday on the cheap you’ll have to quash that dream. Instead consider spending a night under the stars in a local campsite, or living simply in a hostel. Depending on your destination though, even these down-market digs can be a bit expensive. Do your research and plan ahead well before you set off. If your budget is looking stretched you’ll have time to organize free accommodation. Sleeping on the couch of a friendly European or house sitting in the United States is a great way to save cash and experience life as the locals do. Just remember to be a good house guest while you’re staying in someone else’s castle, especially if you hope to receive an invitation to return!

    Once your accommodation’s sorted you’ll need to eat. Here you’ve got two basic choices: eat out or raid a local supermarket and stay in. The latter seems an obvious option for cheapskates, but it’s always nice to spend some time away from the stove. If you’re only eating out once a day, make sure that it’s lunch. The midday meal is often much cheaper than the evening one, and it’ll give you enough energy for sightseeing. Look for eateries with daily set menus which offer a starter, main, and dessert for a reduced price. After three hearty courses, you might still feel full at dinner time!

    No one wants to spend their vacation staring at their accommodation’s walls, so you’ll need to organize a way to get around. Public transport is the obvious solution for frugal travelers, but it’s not the only one. If you make friends with the locals, you can often bum a ride to somewhere interesting. If you haven’t made any connections, the notice boards of hostels are a great place to start. You’ll often find available spaces in cars that will only cost you a portion of the petrol money.

    New Zealand money and calculatorSo once you’ve arrived at your dream destination, what are you going to see? Whatever it is, if you’re traveling on a tight budget it’ll probably be free. Thankfully most cities offer a wealth of free attractions, from national parks and gardens to museums and art galleries. Some sights are free only on particular days though, so do your research and plan a money-saving itinerary before you set off.

    So why are you still daydreaming about that vacation? By following our advice you can see any destination your heart desires without maxing out your credit card.