With a big family, outings can get really expensive, but you can plan ahead and avoid that. Most of the big money is spent in eating out. We have found ways to have a great time at an outing without spending a fortune. We take snacks. My youngins are planning to go to a horse show this weekend. They have to each pay their class entry fees, so for the rest it is just to get in and food. Well if we volunteer we don’t have to pay to get in. Try that. And for food, we eat supper before we leave and we prepare well. They got 8 packs of candy at the dollar store and even used a 25 cents off coupon. And we take gallons of water and tea in a cooler. And we make popcorn. Popcorn is the all-time best snack. NOT micro popcorn. But good ole fashioned popped on the stove in cast iron popcorn. With a little melted real butter and some salt and put in individual paper lunch sacks. Now that is a Frugal Friday Tip.
We always take snacks with us too. We buy a mega size pack of Lance snack crackers at Sam’s and throw some in the car whenever we’re going to be gone for a while.
My kids love popcorn too! They love watching it pop in the Cuisinart Popcorn Maker we use. (I think they love watching it even more that the TV!!!)
We do the snack/food take-a-long thing too! Saves tons of money and you can control the diet/sugar/etc. unlike when you eat out!!!!
Good ideas. Also, during the summer, I have water bottles frozen and pop them in an ice chest to keep in the car on outings, even during errands; we keep cool and hydrated. It is nice to carry plastic silverware in the car. We have a box of canned foods also, that is ready to go, with foods that can be eaten cold if necessary. Don’t forget to pack the can opener. Good choices: corn, beans, fruit, pork and beans, etc. It has saved a lot of money buying out when we are away from home longer than expected.