If self catering we tend to take basics like tea bags, marmite etc, I also take squash for the kids. A good money saver is to take a couple of bags of pasta and pasta sauce, I then just get some ham to throw in it, with fresh bread and salad. Even if you just use it twice for an evening meal, for a family of four it saves you a bit. To be honest it's even worth taking sweets for the kids as they come in expensive in the resort shops- Haribos are much cheaper at home!! Also worth it, if you can find them, taking your own inflatables. Asda often do a good range- it may seem a bit tight but the more you can save by taking stuff with you, the more cash it frees up while you are there to have a good time. Then you have all that spare room in your cases for the way home!!

Pam

i used to pack plenty of ice pops to freeze when on holiday

we usually buy our inflatables at home too, much cheaper.
for a day on the beach, packed lunch.
excursions, we always shop around and cheekily tell the cheapest that 'mateyboy' down the road said he could do it at a cheaper price, usually works for us !
we also take the little variety packs of cereal for our 7yr old.
also take a packed lunch to water parks as the cafes there are so expensive.

Great idea's about buying inflatables here, think i will go with that one this year. When my son was six now nearly 11, he bought an inflatable boat while we were in salou and he made me bring it home with us ( had to because he had given all his spends for it) And we still have it now ( he uses it every year but now it needs replacing) Think he got his money's worth. If it was up to me i would have given it to someone who had just arrived or leave on the balcony. I will be buying lilo's this year. Also the kids love to eat there weight in icecream and it costs an absolute bomb when there are two of them wanting them by the minutes,last year in cala dor we found a shop and stocked up on mini milks they were happy with them and only about 20c if i remember right but i will defo try the icepops ( oh i cant, going HB this year ) Maybe next year. Oh i also take cereal too.
Kerrie

ok we tend to go H/B these days but a few years ago we went self catering and I remember the first time we went we took loads of Pot Noodles with us! Also Bacon/sausage etc!
I always take into consideraton the money we'd be spending if we were at home for the two weeks, including Petrol and gas/electric! Just remember if you budget say £130 a week at home thats £260 unspent whilst away! So include it for your holiday!
Another obvious trick is your own beer! Especially round the pool!

Now onto the toastie thing, Did you know a George Forman makes perfect Toasties? It just doesn't cut them down the middle for you! You can also cook loads of other stuff on it! Maybe it's a bit too big though!

hi chivas69 we used to buy french bread ham cheese crisps for dinner time. i think your right about the george foreman plus it would be a bit of weigh in your case eh?

Oh yeah i forgot about the beer (in cooler bag) by the pool , We also do that one. Looks like i missed out my most important tip there
Kerrie

Keep your hands in your pockets hehe

Infact there was a brilliant tips page on this site a while ago and in it are some great tips! Most of mine included alcohol! Perhaps one of the mods could see where it is and link it to here? Cheers

Do tell me about the George Forman. I have one that I only use for chops and steaks. What else can you do on it and how?

alsbaaby that's exactly the bag i take with me the all important cooler bag( for the beer and wine) and when we run out we go to the cheap supermarkets and get more!!

Do tell me about the George Forman. I have one that I only use for chops and steaks. What else can you do on it and how?

Well you can make any toastie on it just like a sandwich toaster! Just butter two pieces of bread, heat the george, lay one piece butter side down on the george, put filling on to bread (cheese, beans,etc)
Now put on top the 2nd peice of bread with the butter facing up. Close the lid adding a little presure and leave for a few minutes!
Open up George and Hey presto, a toasted sandwich!

I also use mine for cooking ribs, sausage, bacon, burgers etc!

And I use mine for Panini, toasting stuffed Pitta breads and also grilling vegetables such as sliced aubergines etc. And it's great for baking bananas - put it on skin and all and peel after cooking! Never thought about packing it in the case for holidays though!

SM

I was thinking more seeing if you could buy one when on holiday? Probably only £20 which if you spend £200 odd on toasties then you can just leave it!

I think that sounds a brilliant idea, especially for anybody with kids. I use mine a lot at home but it simply never occurred to me how useful it could be on holiday too

SM

Oooo...I feel the munchies coming on Thanks peeps.But don't you just hate cleaning it afterwards

Dead easy to clean- if you don't do it straight off, switch on again to warm up and then use a sponge with washing up liquid on. Never had much of a problem

Talking of buying stuff to leave behind - it's cheaper to buy a Tesco Value or Asda Smartprice iron/kettle/hairdryer/toaster than it is to hire them from the hotel. You can always pass them on to new arrivals on your last day for a couple of euros - ice cream money for the kids
As other people have said, I always take lilos from the £1 shop and leave them behind, also cheap swimming goggles, snorkel sets, frisbees etc.
I haven't done self-catering for a few years, but when I did, I took packets of pasta-in-sauce and savoury rice and also breakfast cereals. I didn't bother taking tinned stuff though, it's heavy in the suitcase I used to make sandwiches for lunch and take them down to the pool with some cans of pop from the fridge and some lovely fresh local fruit from the supermarket. That way you don't mind the expense of eating out in the evening. Keep your packed lunch cool by putting a couple of bottles of frozen water in the bag - and you can also drink the icy water in the afternoon when the sun gets really hot!
If you have to have your Cadburys chocolate, then pop a stash in your suitcase. Our brands of chocolate are very expensive abroad. I remember paying 2€ for a Creme Egg in Fuerteventura last year, just because I "needed" one

Link to the thread we had going last year on good ideas

http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=66684&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

And yes Chivas most of your ideas did include alcohol!!

Carmel