Going out to eat is one of the fun parts of a vacation but it also obviously contributes to the cost of any trip. So I’m always looking for ways to pare back on my food expenses when traveling.

One way is by booking hotels that offer a free breakfast.

I admit that sometimes the meal is better than others. I’ve stayed at hotels that provided free eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, biscuits, waffles, muffins, fruit, cereal and a variety of hot and cold beverages. I’ve also stayed at hotels where I got a single breakfast pastry and a glass of orange juice.

Another way is by taking food with you. This is easier when you travel by car, but can be done by air as well.

On my recent trip to Oklahoma and Kansas, I filled the outside pocket of my checked suitcase with granola bars, pre-packaged crackers and cheese, Twizzlers, chocolate candies and two bags of popcorn, which I popped in my hotel room’s microwave.

After I landed, I visited a grocery store, where I bought an eight-pack of soda pop, a bunch of bananas, a bag of carrots and several apples.

All of this provided me with lunch and snacks for less money than I would have paid at restaurants or put into a hotel vending machine. Plus I know I was eating at least some healthy food.