saving money

[etommy28]

I am looking for some advise on how to save some cash on trips when you are gone 1, 2, or 3 weeks. i figure some people should have some good expireance on this.

[backwater4]

Bring your own food. Soups, snacks, even some frozen stuff in a cooler could last a while saving money. Microwave, travel coffee pot, etc. Practicing for tournaments on large bodies of water, it might be better to trailer to different launches instead of running by boat. It saves on oil and wear and tear, probably on gas too.

[Hot Rod]

Stay at a campground to save on hotel costs is one way.

Also if you take your food with you or prepare your own food don't consider that an additional expense. Because even if you were not traveling you have to eat/pay for food.  So I don't figure my meals into a trip's cost unless I'm going to be spending more than I normally would by going out to restaurants and such.

[Matt Fly]

First off, ice is costly if you have alot of stuff on ice.   

Block ice is the way to go, it last longer.   The key to keeping ice longer, keep your ice chest insulated from the hot ground and direct sun light, and don't open it all day long, each time its opened, it used that much more energy to cool it back down.  I often take one or two with just block ice to add as needed to the other.

My first 5 day trip to Fork was in the summer.   I spent over 100.oo on ice, I also had some guys who's go to the cooler every five minutes.

After that, I bought a new mini fridge and take it when i'll will be gone a week or more and have electric in camp, it paid for itself real fast.

     I freeze 2 liter bottles and 20 ozers.    Once they thaw some, you have cold drinking water, tea or coffee or just cooking water, plus, easy to grab and put on the boat for drinking water.

   In warmer temps, I will leave a can of Denty Moore stew in the open to sit in the sun all day, it will be warm enough to eat when you return, whether its hot dog chili or ravioli's, it saves gas from cooking.

I take extra deep cycle batteries to begin with, so a clip on flourescent lamp will last forever and save on some type of fuel for lanterns.

I will normally cook on an open fire, whether in my grill or fire ring, baked potatoes wrapped in foil are easy, so is a good buttered oninion wrapped as well.

    Love to camp.

[Bass_Akwards]

First off, ice is costly if you have alot of stuff on ice.

Block ice is the way to go, it last longer. The key to keeping ice longer, keep your ice chest insulated from the hot ground and direct sun light, and don't open it all day long, each time its opened, it used that much more energy to cool it back down. I often take one or two with just block ice to add as needed to the other.

My first 5 day trip to Fork was in the summer. I spent over 100.oo on ice, I also had some guys who's go to the cooler every five minutes.

After that, I bought a new mini fridge and take it when i'll will be gone a week or more and have electric in camp, it paid for itself real fast.

I freeze 2 liter bottles and 20 ozers. Once they thaw some, you have cold drinking water, tea or coffee or just cooking water, plus, easy to grab and put on the boat for drinking water.

In warmer temps, I will leave a can of Denty Moore stew in the open to sit in the sun all day, it will be warm enough to eat when you return, whether its hot dog chili or ravioli's, it saves gas from cooking.

I take extra deep cycle batteries to begin with, so a clip on flourescent lamp will last forever and save on some type of fuel for lanterns.

I will normally cook on an open fire, whether in my grill or fire ring, baked potatoes wrapped in foil are easy, so is a good buttered oninion wrapped as well.

Love to camp.

Now THAT'S dedication.

[Hot Rod]

   In warmer temps, I will leave a can of Denty Moore stew in the open to sit in the sun all day, it will be warm enough to eat when you return, whether its hot dog chili or ravioli's, it saves gas from cooking.

I do this on the console of my boat.  You'd be suprised how hot a  sandwich or hot dog gets when the sun is out and you place it on the black dash under the windshield for a few minutes. 

I call it my "microwave" ;D

[Matt Fly]

My new home, I meant tent, has the AC port or doggie/pet door, a 5000  115 vac fits great in the summer, it will freeze you out in 100 degree day.

Another note,  when travelling, always check out gas prices.  Know what areas you be going through have cheaper prices.

    Filling up at the lake may cost you 10-15 cents or  more per gallon, but also going great distances with two full saddle tanks on the boat will add more wear to trailer tires and weight for the tow vehicle to tow.    Best to travel with tanks empy and fill up  down the road at the cheapest spot available.

Also, some motors still have to watch for that corn ethanol.  So ask what grades are available along the way or if you will need diesel.

Boat oils will be cheaper away from the lake too, so have enough for the trip.

   

[BASSMAN757]

sweet

[central_fl_fishin]

Pillow, blanket, bottled water and bait.  Eat your catch, sleep on your boat.

[jettech]

This is a great thread.  Keep it coming guys.  Ive got to write some of this stuff down.

[dmac14]

Camping and bring a huge pack of hot dogs, you can find a 35 pack of hot dogs for $6, That'll feed you for awhile, being at college thats what I have been eating for a few weeks now, that and some ramen. At the camp grounds there is often a little shop and theyll have microwaves to cook your food. Also to save on ice freeze a bunch of 2 liters, they last awhile and then you dont have to pay for drinking water.

[Jig Man]

You can put canned vegetables on your engine block and let it heat them for you while you drive.

[Fishing Rhino]

Drive slower.  If you have a drive which would normally take five hours, leave an hour earlier and do it in six, particularly if your vehicle has a gas engine.  Keeping the air filter changed can more than pay for itself.

Keep your tires at the max of their recommended operating range.

Someone already mentioned not towing with the boat fuel tanks full.

Along that vein, travel as lightly as possible.

I'm torn about towing with the boat covered.  I've heard that it can destroy the sparkly finish on fiberglass boats because road grit gets between the cover and the boat, no matter how tight you get it, and will do its abrasive dirty work.

But if that is not a concern, a tightly covered boat will have less wind resistance, particularly at highway speeds, and take fewer $$$$$$ to tow.

[Catt]

I save year round by buying the majority of my tackle in bulk off-line; I fill up my tackle boxes that go in the boat & keep the rest at the camp.

I love Gene Larew 7.5'' Salty Ring Worms which can cost $3.85+ per 10 pack but in bulk they are $22.84 per hundred.

I still throw lead bullet weights in sizes 3/8 oz & under which I buy for about $8.00 per hundred; I've not bought weights in years.

I buy Berkley® Trilene® Big Game 15 LB in 900 yd spools for $6.99

I stock up on food, drinks, & toiletries at Dollar General, Family Dollar, or Dollar Tree.

I have Kroger grocery stores preferred customer card (free), with every purchase you gain points that can be redeemed for .10 a gallon off on gas. Where there are no Krogers I have a Sams Club Card or Wal-Mart Card which is 5-10 cent a gallon off. While you may save a couple pennies by hauling your boat empty but gas will be 10-15 cents cheaper in town vs buying on the lake; so I wait & fillup in the closest town to the lake.

[Bankbeater]

If you are staying at a cabin or resort, find out how much boat rental is.  If you are driving a long distance and pulling your boat, it may be cheaper to rent a boat and save some $$$ on gas.

[RandySBreth]

I mostly camp and cook my own GOOD food. I won't be living off the cheap hot dogs, sorry, no way. Good inexpensive food can be had in even little towns with a decent grocery store. If I'm unfamiliar with an area I usually call the local chamber of commerce or tourism board and ask a local person where they shop for food. Of course, I'm kind of a "foodie" anyway, some people are O.K. with Ramen every night.

The towing versus renting thing is a good tip too.