How RVers Can Survive High Food and Diesel Prices
By James Gums
Coast to Coast RV & Camping
Let me tell you, RV travel is getting more expensive.
The national average for diesel has climbed above $7 a gallon, while California has averaged more than $10. In some isolated and high-cost locations, RVers may even find diesel posted at over $11 a gallon.
At those prices, filling a diesel truck or motorhome can take a serious bite out of our travel budget. Higher diesel costs also raise the price of food because trucks deliver almost everything we buy.
So, how do we stock up and save money when an RV has limited storage space?
Stock Smart, Not Heavy
We cannot turn our RVs into warehouses. Every can, bottle, and package takes up space and adds weight.
I recommend keeping about two weeks of food, along with a small emergency supply. Buy foods that can be used in several different meals, such as:
Rice, pasta, oatmeal and tortillas
Beans and canned vegetables
Canned chicken, tuna and salmon
Peanut butter, nuts and dried fruit
Soup, broth and seasonings
Shelf-stable milk
Must have flour my wife Tseyinii, loves making fried bread
Only stock food you normally eat. Something is not a bargain if it sits in a cabinet until it expires.
Make Every Inch Count
Remove bulky outside boxes and place food in sealed, square containers. Square containers usually use cabinet space better than round ones.
Write the expiration dates on the containers and keep older food near the front.
Store heavy cans and containers low and near the center of the RV. Do not overload overhead cabinets, slide-outs or the rear of your rig. Always stay within your RV’s cargo-carrying capacity.
Plan Meals Before Shopping
Before I go grocery shopping, I check the refrigerator, freezer and pantry.
I plan meals around what we already have and purchase only what is missing. I also take a picture of our pantry with my phone so I do not buy duplicates.
Plan meals that share ingredients. Tortillas can become tacos, wraps, breakfast burritos or quick pizzas. Rice can be a side dish, a breakfast bowl or part of a casserole.
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The more ways we can use one ingredient, the more valuable that item becomes.
Avoid the Bulk-Buying Trap
Here is something many people do not think about: Buying in bulk does not always save an RVer money.
A giant package may be cheaper per ounce, but not if half of it spoils. It is also not a bargain if you have no safe place to store it.
The cheapest food is the food we purchase once and completely use.
Cut Down on Fuel-Burning Trips
A forgotten grocery item costs much more when we must drive a diesel truck several miles back into town.
Combine groceries, fuel, propane, laundry, prescriptions and RV supplies into one trip.
When fuel prices are high, I also believe in slowing down. Staying at one campground longer can reduce fuel use, wear on the truck and stress on the driver.
We do not have to stop traveling. We may simply need to travel smarter.
Watch the Small Budget Leaks
The biggest money wasters are often:
Throwing away spoiled food
Making unnecessary shopping trips
Buying items we already have
Eating out because we did not plan a meal
Carrying too much unnecessary weight
Driving out of the way to save only a few cents on fuel
We cannot control food prices, inflation or what the fuel station charges. But we can control what we buy, what we carry, how much we waste and how often we move.
Stock smart, not heavy. Plan your meals, combine your errands and slow down when you can.
Most importantly, do not let high prices take all the joy out of RVing.
@everyone, what are you doing to save money on groceries and diesel? What food do you always keep stocked in your RV?
Please share your ideas in the comments. Your suggestion may help another RVer stay on the road.
Safe travels,
— James P. Gums
CEO & Founder
Coast to Coast RV and Camping
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