Many of us work tirelessly in a bid to get the so-called beach body prior to a vacation. Then, when it comes to the crunch, we’re happy to binge on beer, fast food – and whatever else takes our fancy. There’s nothing wrong with the approach for the short-term (well, not really) – and it’s completely common.

The same applies when it comes to our eating expenses. We will save up money prior to going on vacation, and then as soon as we get there the restaurant and general eating bills will start to pile up.

Well, today is about putting a stop to this. Here is a brief guide on how to save money when you jet off on your next getaway.

Consider the self-catering option

The initial cost of self-catered apartment or villa might be off-putting, but trust us, the savings in food are likely to trump these significantly.

As soon as you have the ability to cook in your accommodation, your costs dwindle. You do one big shop, and that’s it for the week. Instead of paying potentially three figures for eating in a restaurant each day, you’re paying the same amount for one week of in-accommodation dining. It’s a no-brainer.

Be aware of the different portion sizes

Different countries have different portion sizes. For example, in the US, these are renowned as being on the larger side. It means that if you are heading there, try and split your plate between two of you (or more).

Of course, the opposite rules can work against you as well, but it’s a trick worth keeping in mind.

The power of snacks

Something that a lot of us are guilty of whilst on vacation is NOT snacking. Sure, snacking does have some bad press, but if you turn to the right kind of snacks it means that you’re not going to be dipping into restaurants and bars that offer the wrong (and expensive) type of food.

Take some small snacks with you, and the urge to eat out will soon reduce.

Don’t be fooled by the airport prices

Let’s conclude with the last part of your trip – the part where you mull around the airport and try and find some gifts to take home. Quite often, these gifts are edible, but also very expensive. After all, the airports love cashing in on these.

Well, we would urge against this. Instead, look closer to home, or specifically online. For example, you don’t have to visit Mexico to buy Mexican candy. Naturally, the same rules apply with other cuisines. The power of the internet means that foreign food is readily available anywhere, and you don’t have to pay the inflated airport prices to get it.