Cooking in a Hotel Room!

[@DollarTreeDinners]

The hotpot I have is a 2 liter by Hoyatoka, here is the link to that one (it's unavailable currently) and a few similar alternatives I found online: (The one I showed) Electric Hot Pot, 2L Portable Non-Stick Electric Cooker with Steamer: amzn.to/4etA0XE (Alternative 1) Hytric Hot Pot Electric, 2.5L Portable Electric Skillet with Nonstick Coating: amzn.to/3XWWLOh (Alternative 2) Electric Cooker, 2L Ceramic Glaze Non-stick Pot, Dual Power Multi-functional Electric Cooker: amzn.to/3MPoUQQ (Alternative 3) TOPWIT Hot Pot Electric with Steamer, 2L Multifunctional Electric Pot: amzn.to/3Zu8HIi

[@joannaazar7396]

Your dogs are adorable 🐶

[@TBIJourney]

Would you please and thank you show a video on how you used what's left? I travel a bunch and this would be incredibly helpful. This was a great video too!

[@andreahaar60]

You can also get a crockpot to take along with you. My husband and I stayed in a hotel room for three months until we found our house. I had a rice cooker, my crockpot and then of course they had a microwave and a little refrigerator with a little freezer on it. I learned how to cook any and everything in a crockpot. So there’s just a few other things that you could look into if you have to be away from home in a hotel for a while to help you eat a little bit better.

[@chewbaccazulu5908]

I'm just curious - wouldn't your Aroma be more versatile than this electric hot pot?

[@DollarTreeDinners]

I LOVE my multicooker, but I will say that the white Aroma which I've talked about previously, I bought specifically because it was smaller/more portable. The sensors haven't been doing a great job recently and overall it's been giving me some problems. I have a 2nd aroma multicooker but it's huge and not travel friendly.

[@allyrooh3628]

We used to travel every weekend for sports w my kids. I was the Mom that made meals & took food. Like real food- bbq pork steaks, spaghetti, chicken. At first my daughter was embarrassed until all the girls on the team made our room the place to be because I swear they were always hungry. My daughter is now an adult & she thanks me for teaching her frugality. This video will be excellent for people just starting to travel. Eat cheap & spend your money on experiences! Thanks Rebecca!

[@DollarTreeDinners]

I am definitely an eat cheap and spend money on experiences kind of person!

[@tiffanyweaver8154]

We are also in the sports travel life currently, and I also pack lots of real food - as well as make stuff like ramen and Mac and cheese in the room! We also have a very popular hotel room amongst friends!

[@allyrooh3628]

@@tiffanyweaver8154 I don’t know about you, but I’d have it no other way! If they’re all in my room, I know where my kid is!

[@dianebaker5243]

👍​@@allyrooh3628

[@cheriellis9215]

I was the parent who couldn’t attend many games, but would send enough food with my kids that they had plenty to share. Often things like a whole package of string cheese, a bag of pretzels, and a bag of small oranges. Lots of the kids would get on the bus heading to a game straight from school with no snacks along. What I was most famous for was sending wraps. I’d often send half a dozen or so large wraps cut in quarters so my athlete could share. One of my boys still runs into high school friends who fondly mention the wraps he’d bring along!

[@lisaabramczyk5121]

I work in a hotel as a housekeeper ,you wouldn't believe what people do thank you for thinking about what you leave behind.

[@kimbeard756]

Thanks I am currently living in a hotel....64 disabled on social security cant find a place to live....this comes in handy

[@aprilfranks9225]

Sending you lots of love and prayers ❤️

[@kimbeard756]

@@aprilfranks9225 thank you

[@nl212ep]

God bless. Praying your situation gets better ❤

[@bearclaire]

If your able to get a microwave you can cook lots of things in it, potato, pasta, rice and other grains, oats, vegetables etc,

[@rogerrosen2323]

@@bearclaire i stopd cans all too salty blood pressure yes put garbage in bag and throw out dont use oil cooking

[@erinf4712]

This is really great information. A lot of people currently are in hotels and motels. Not because they are traveling, but because they are displaced from storms. They don’t have the money to eat out or try local cuisines, they’re just trying to survive. And for them, you are a breath of fresh air.

[@tanyaperrin1218]

You should do a deep dive into “thermos meals!” We often used a really large Stanley thermos for trips to the theme park, or road trips with the kids. Simply place the hot dogs in the thermos, add boiling water and then by lunch time you have a quick meal by leaving the park and going out to your car. Chips, buns and condiments don’t have to be refrigerated and you can save a ton of money as a family!

[@loriloristuff]

Particularly since theme park food is not only way expensive, but often not tasty.

[@catmandu615]

That’s a cool idea! Never thought of that.

[@lauracearley8391]

I second this! We got our large Stanley thermos ($70) on a black Friday sale. Paid for itself the first time we avoided going through the drive through. Keeps food steaming hot for hours

[@katv1195]

In Australia most hotel rooms or motel rooms have a small electric jug to boil water and a small fridge (generally no microwave). Great for thermos meals

[@mp01014]

A frugal breakfast bar tip passed along to me by my mother: use the breakfast bar to make PB&J's for lunch! Usually, breakfast bars have bread and jam/jelly packets at their toast station and peanut butter packets by their fruit. We do this hack every now and then to make lunch on the go with a piece of fruit from the breakfast bar + a bag of chips (or whatever leftover snacks from the car rides we'd have) to round it out!

[@yeslek]

Ooh! Thanks!!! Great tip. 👏🏻

[@cmcmahon8551]

Another great lunch idea from the breakfast bar, a bagel and a cream cheese packet.

[@carolynclawson4853]

You can usually do egg salad too. Most hotels offer boiled eggs and have little mayo packets! Add some fruit and granola bars that they usually have available and you have lunch!

[@DebbieandEddieBFF]

❤

[@TRUMPmyOSHI]

I do exactly this.

[@jodywoodruff6473]

I was homeless for three years. I suggest, if it ever happens to you, I hope it doesn't, invest in a double top plug in stove , a pot and skillet and the basic cooking utensils and silverwear you will need. Be prepared to eat microwave dinners and small breakfast items. Since you will have limited space in your refrigerator. Storage for food items will be limited too so make sure you plan your meals carefully to avoid food waste. Chill a few drinks at a time to make sure you have a cold drink , nobody likes a warm soda lol. Just some tips if you're ever in that situation.

[@DebbieandEddieBFF]

❤

[@isagoldfield7393]

☀️

[@bearclaire]

Yiu can also cook dry rice , pasta and other grains in the microwave just put it in a microwave safe container with water to cook. Also potato and vegetables, oats etc

[@ArtfulChaosX]

When you need frugal foods. Cheap pasta, rice and eggs are the go to foods. Other stuff on discount. 5 dollars can be super stretched that way. Hope no one ever has to resort to this out of necessity though.

[@lt5976]

I stay at extended Stay America hotels. There is a kitchen with pots n pans, dishes and utensils. 58.89 a night best rate. Considering eating lunch and dinner out could be 40.00 or more, 58.89 is a great value. Most extended stays have pools, BBQ area with picnic tables, laundry, pets welcome, and free WiFi.

[@franklyfranklyn]

Slow clap for the reminder to not be a rude person and leave housekeeping with a mess or clear the breakfast bar so other patrons miss out. From someone who always returns her cart no surprise!

[@gracies6819]

Hi Rebecca! For a smaller serving, you could get a single serve cup of plain Greek yogurt. I use this at my house instead of sour cream all the time and i find i don’t rlly notice a difference, especially if im going to mix it with a salsa or taco sauce or something

[@cmisis14]

This is a fantastic idea. Higher in protein and probiotics, too.

[@adamstubbs9393]

I do this too!! I don’t notice any difference when I add hot sauce to it, and it adds protein and probiotics which is so awesome!!

[@charlottetaylor6681]

You should be able to get a plain yogurt at breakfast to use instead of sour cream.

[@_milkysoup]

What would that size difference be? The containers of small sour cream and small greek yogurt are the same in my country but I’m just curious

[@lala_sparkles8035]

@@_milkysoup The smallest sour cream at Walmart looks to be 8 ounces, while the single-serve plain Greek yogurt is 5.3 ounces.

[@abigailpauley]

I've been a flight attendant for 10 years, and eat at hotels half my life! Airport/hotel food is too expensive, so I buy 1lb takeout tins in bulk on Amazon and meal prep "TV dinners." I label the cardboard top with what's in it/date I made it, and heat those up in my HotLogic in my hotel room. They stack nicely in my freezer and stay cold for the duration of my trip. Last week for example, I made a zucchini lasagna and portioned it out into single servings in the tins. :) I do this once a week with a different meal so I have options to pull out of the freezer! They also make HotLogics with a cigarette lighter style plug for those in cars or truck drivers. :) If you're worried about heating food in tins, you can bring one glass Tupperware and put the food into that. :)

[@kathy3178]

Ever since our honeymoon, we always bring food to make a lot of our own meals. At first hubby thought I was nuts. When he realized how much we actually save and can do more, he got on board with it. Now we book places that have a kitchenette.

[@lindabaumwart9380]

That's what my husband and I do when our friend needed a ride to his hotel room before his flight he bought food and I said why are you doing that he said it saves me money and I get to spend more so it makes the trip fun and more enjoyable

[@anniemouse9649]

Very creative and thoughtful video. The hotel companies that started free breakfast should receive a Nobel prize. It’s especially helpful for families with kids.

[@reginafisher9919]

Agree 💯

[@broadwaygenius]

Can you make a rice cooker series for meals to do on one? But not the fancy ones with lots of buttons, I mean the one that has just the one button ( cook/ warm) . College students, people that live alone and even people that live in vans use it because it is a relatively low wattage . I would love those!

[@isagoldfield7393]

Yes please💕

[@bombaychand]

I travel every week from mon-fri so i spend alot of time in hotel rooms. This is great. I also recommend coleslaw mix, its great in ramen or other instant noodles, make coleslaw or on a sandwich. Fiber is the hardest thing for me when on the road. So I am all about adding veggies.

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

I keep meaning to try this.

[@dorothybaez]

I love the bags of coleslaw mix! Sometimes I can find broccoli slaw mix. I stir fry it for fried rice, add it to my ramen or other soups, and sometimes I make actual Cole slaw with it. Buying a whole cabbage is cheaper, but I have arthritis in my hands and some days cutting up a whole cabbage is hard for me. I don't have access to a kitchen anymore, so even if I could do a whole cabbage I wouldn't want to cut one up on a bathroom counter. I buy things like onions and peppers pre cut now, because it's less messy.

[@patvance6205]

I love coleslaw mix in my ramen!

[@aerona85n8]

Ok going to have to try this one after next shopping trip! Sounds awesome!

[@rogerrosen2323]

@@patvance6205 i make cleslaw or shed from bag mayo and vinegar and potato salad and all foods

[@rosemaryteddy8591]

We lived in a motel for about 8 months me , husband , son and it was a old hotel that you could live in and they allowed a small convection oven and we had a toaster and our slow cooker and we got a very small refrigerator. We did alright we didn't starve and we had flour tortilla pizzas and sandwiches and soup and eggs, bacon macaroni and cheese you just have to shop a little more often that was over 13 years ago. We moved back to home state of kentucky and own our own home. I'll be 63 in October and we made a situation we was in workable. I won't ever forget those memories of us all being together. Son's 35 married and they are Truck Drivers OTR. So enjoy your move to Washington State and enjoy the adventure along the way with your boyfriend and your 2 beautiful Dogs. Take care and God Bless You.

[@Memaw-0404]

Any time my husband and I travel we usually eat hotel breakfast if it's available or I usually pack stuff that we can prepare in our room like oatmeal or pop tarts, muffins then we eat s good meal out for lunch then just make sandwiches in our room. Looks like I'm going to be investing in a cook pot like that and be able to cook meals. Thanks for sharing this video. I'm new to your channel and I'm loving it,haven't watched a bad video yet!! ❤❤ (P.s. I was born and raised in Bulter Pennsylvania also then moved South 24 years ago)

[@Melissa-y2u]

I’m living your story this very minute. I made a Naan bread pizza for lunch today. In the microwave. It beats living on the street, that’s for sure! Thank you for sharing your story. I’m glad you made it back into a home.

[@bearclaire]

​@@Melissa-y2ujust in case you didn't know, you can also cook things like dry rice pasta and other grains in the microwave, just put them in a microwave safe container with water and then boil in it the microwave , also potatoes and vegetables

[@louiseeiffel1014]

Great video! Loved the authenticity of it. You were actually staying in a hotel and cooking, rather than standing in your kitchen showing us what we could do.

[@runswithrats]

Awesome ideas! Another hotel tip is to bring ziplock baggies! You can fill with hotel ice for keeping any leftover perishable food in a lunch box cool on the ride home.

[@rogerrosen2323]

usually in 6 hours my thermos foor is cold and i cant heat w no room so i can use cold food and ice bars or eat warm w aroom you can freeze and micro/when i take a bus to atlantic ciy nj i took home food sometimes still cold in winter like soup frozen you can still eat food warm w room u can keep in fride and eatlater

[@ennamae3287]

thank you so much for using judgement free language and offering kindness and understanding. if i could afford a stove i would really love one but i can't.

[@DollarTreeDinners]

Do you have venmo or cash app? i'd love to send you the funds to buy a little electric pot like this one.

[@ennamae3287]

@@DollarTreeDinners Would you be willing to donate the money instead to a local person struggling near you? im very lucky to have employment so my situation is improving, i can't afford a stove or apartment now but even without help, i'll be OK in 6 months. there are a lot of people who don't have the opportunities i do. your advice has gotten me through my toughest times and kept me fed with just a microwave and mini fridge in a trailer, so i don't want to disrespect the offer for help here, just to try and pass it along for someone who doesn't have a leg up yet 💕💕 thank you for your kindness and being willing to help a stranger. ill definitely be paying it forward when i can.

[@LIVEINPEACE2023]

@@ennamae3287The unselfishness of this comment made my eyes well. ❤🥹

[@DollarTreeDinners]

I will definitely pay it forward as well, I am so glad to hear that things are improving for you!

[@ChrismicroART]

⁠ omg are you a real person?!?!!!! No one can be this sweet ❤❤❤❤ you have big heart!

[@michellehorning2216]

This was excellent! Rebecca, my favourite thought of you is how compassionate and empathetic you are for others and thinking about how they are living and how you could help. This means so much to me as a person who deals with food scarcity. I am able to meet my nutritional needs on my meager budget and still have a few dollars at the end of the month. A huge thank you to you and the videos you share with us and all the hard work you do so we benefit. Bless you!❤

[@StitchingK]

Fun to watch. For travel, I have a small “kitchen kit” that always stays packed ready to grab and go. It has a very small cutting board, small sharp knife in its own protective sheath, small can opener, basic vegetable peeler (carrot sticks are a staple and prefer to buy regular carrots), soup spoon, teaspoon, fork, small container dish soap, dish cloth, two dish towels, a couple recycled plastic bags. The dish towels are for doing dishes, protecting surfaces etc. and mean I don’t food stain hotel towels. The bags are for food garbage or dirty dishes if I am unable to wash right away for example if used during the drive.

[@mwahl1686]

I have almost the exact same kit!

[@aerona85n8]

I’m taking notes on your kit content. This sounds like a great thing to gather to donate to the food pantry where I live.

[@crochetingaroundnewzealand]

Excellent idea!

[@lisae.896]

Thank you! I took a screenshot of your list of travel cooking supplies and will put together my own grab and go bag!

[@justinstilson7701]

We lived in a hotel for 3 1/2 years and the Aroma 8 cup rice cooker/multicooker was super for everything :) We even made personal pizzas in it.

[@user-fv1mt6sc5t]

I just got one and don't know how I didn't know about it when I was living in my car and hotels, it would've made life a little funner. Happy to experience it now, though 😊 I love the fierce little machine

[@Green.heron24]

Thank you, I am living in a small studio with no oven. Just a small .5 size frig and microwave. Thanks for your ideas and positivity. You are a ray of sunshine.⭐️😊

[@xingcat]

The pot reminds me if my dorm days when we all had little hot pots that were meant for tea/coffee/ soup, but we cooked everything on it.

[@scook5599]

We did too in college. I still have the hotpot and I bet it still works.

[@Nerak7219]

Yes! They weren't allowed in our dorms but we all had them, LOL. I ate so many meals from that pot.

[@janiceh4521]

As a child of a divorced Mom who wanted us to have beach, mountain, sight seeing trips on a budge. It was always fun figuring out what we could make. I carried it over to my kids, I kept a inexpensive covered knife, salt pepper, condiments like mayo, jelly, napkins, can opener ready for our trips so not to take one’s out of kitchen but kinda have what we needed. It is something they loved and with frozen burritos like items everyone picks what they wanted and what we saved let us do something we wouldn’t have on vacation. Thank you for bringing all those memories back and the fun it can be saving money.

[@LoriFalce]

I love a hotel with a breakfast bar for a multiple day stay. I can always get my breakfast out of things like oatmeal or scrambled eggs, etc. But then I can usually construct a lunch, too. Bagel sandwich with bacon and cream cheese, for example. Easy and super filling for later, especially with a piece of fruit and a yogurt.

[@paularose3847]

I have stayed in several budget hotels which do not allow food out of the dining area.

[@joannacurran8475]

Good. It is called stealing to take additional food.

[@DollarTreeDinners]

It’s not stealing, you paid for the room. The food is included. However, it is stealing when you go to a hotel that you haven’t paid for and get the free breakfast.

[@LoriFalce]

@@joannacurran8475 No. I might have eaten that bagel and cream cheese and bacon at breakfast and just didn't. Actually, I don't eat much at breakfast and what I take is usually a normal meal, just divided into two sittings. When I go to a restaurant and pay for breakfast, I generally get two meals out of it, taking half to go. I don't think that's unusual at all.

[@LoriFalce]

@@paularose3847 That's why I'd rather get a good deal on a nicer hotel where that won't be an issue. Hampton, Fairfield, Holiday Inn Express, SpringHill, are all good options that may seem like a little more cost up front, but can usually be found for a comparable price to budget hotels if you shop around with apps or use loyalty programs. I have good luck with Marriott's Bonvoy program and the points I earn from cards. They also have good coffee bar service all day (I don't drink coffee but I do like some hot chocolate or just a nice hot lemon water), and are often accommodating about things like utensils or plates if needed outside of breakfast hours.

[@lenalyles2712]

When we travel on our motorcycles there's certain things I always have in my pack. A pocket knife, P38 (military can opener), a hotpot, 2 collapsible bowls, and a set of eating utensils.

[@moirakris]

I have a cooking go-bag that has a can opener, small cutting board, fork spoon paring knife, dishsoap and handi-wipe rag cut into 4 pieces, small electric pot, travel size spices, some ziplocks, 2 small deli containers to store leftovers or eat out of, a child size plare and a few 2oz +4oz containers to pack condiments in to bring. It all fits in a small zip cooler (except the pot)

[@nancyjohnson8913]

My husband and I love Too Good to Go. We get real excited to see what we will get. We have had BBQ, Breads, gourmet sandwiches , soups and desserts.

[@DollarTreeDinners]

That is awesome! I can’t wait to be able to test it for a video one day

[@VictoriaEMeredith]

@@DollarTreeDinnersI got the app a long time ago, and there were no local restaurants, so I forgot about it. You reminded me that it existed. Turns out there are several local places now that participate, and I have a surprise bag waiting for me tomorrow after work! Thanks for mentioning it.

[@sarahjanelara8046]

Honestly, I was a bit skeptical at first because I am that person that says “don’t travel if you can’t afford it!” or “eating out is one of the best things about traveling” but after watching your video, I’m glad you put a video like this. I know people have many reasons to have to travel and stay at a hotel for long periods of time. It’s great to have tips and tricks to save money and still eat well frugally. And I’m glad you advocated for keeping the hotel room in the same condition as when you arrived! I know some people would definitely use the hotel room appliances incorrectly or in unsanitary ways and they would definitely rinse food down a bathroom drain! So thank you for advocating for that. Just being a respectful guest is important whether you’re on vacation, there for work, or trying to find your next home.

[@eringrant8221]

One of the best ideas i ever had was when we took our family on a month long tour of the USA. I bought a smaller crock pot to bring with us. In the morning before we left the hotel to go explore, i put somethjng in the crock pot to cook all day. When we came back to our room, dinner was ready and waiting for us. Like magic! Then, we bought a power inverter so we could use the crockpot in the car, and then we could still eat delicious meals when we were driving all day!

[@mistytsim]

At our local Goodwill, the smaller crockpots were $5.99.

[@starlingmorris648]

Great ideas! Sometimes I make up some taco meat ahead of time and freeze it in an oven cooking bag (like what’s used to cook turkeys). It works better to tie up to put in the freezer than a slow cooker bag. I bring it still frozen in an ice chest with taco fixings and shells. First thing in the morning I put the meat in a slow cooker (open the bag, but use it like a slow cooker bag) and cook it in high if needed for lunch or low if needed for later in the day. Afterwards you can just throw the bag away and not have to clean the slow cooker.

[@Amtrak.taz.]

A piece of advice. I keep a paring knife sheathed in my glove box. I also have a small refrigerater that runs off both electric and your dc power in the car. I have a small tote bag that I keep a cutting board, paper plates, and place settings of plastic silverware. When I'm traveling I stop at a grocery store for lunch or dinner. Normally if I'm going to eat out I do it at lunch because it's cheaper.

[@LifeAsTeeInThisWeirdWorld]

Love the ideas in this video for hotel food options and I really appreciate the reminder about cleaning up any mess/not putting things down the drain. I always love how kind and respectful you are and how you remind others to be but not in a way that feels preachy or judgemental but more just a friendly reminder.

[@cygna1237]

When I was a teen, my mom and I lived in a hotel room for a while. We had a deep electric skillet. I don't know if anyone makes smaller ones, but it was a blessing we could make about anything. I love the hot pot idea. Thank you for showing that. With my attention distraction mode, my record of burning pots and pans is so bad I bought self timing cookers. ha

[@jb6712]

There are very small electric skillets on the market---I bought one for myself at Walmart five years ago, but gave it away last year, no longer needing it now that I have a full-size apartment and a real kitchen. The skillet cost me less than $20 at the time, so likely is still a good deal now. Too small, though, for more than one serving of anything.

[@mollysmith6055]

Hubby and I had to travel for a wedding on a budget so I brought our Instant Pot, a mini frozen lasagne and some 'add boiling water' foods. I was careful to keep the bathroom exhaust fan running to prevent food smells lingering. It was a great money saver and a fun adventure to see how frugal we could be. Loved this video, thank you!

[@Whitney_Sews]

I love this video! Would love to see more like it. I'm about to go on a trip with my kids and am trying to plan meals we can make on a budget in a hotel.

[@janiehowington7622]

My family always had to stay in efficiency rooms at hotels the few times my parents could actually go on a vacation. Cans of tuna, with the relish & mayonnaise packets from fast food or good gas stations makes quick sandwiches even if you have to buy the cheap bread on clearance.

[@bearclaire]

Couscous salad, put couscous in a container and poor boiling waterv over it then cover the container and let it sit a few minutes. Can add fresh or tinned vegetables, olive, nuts , dried fruit or whatever you like

[@jellyrollfan93]

This made me regret eating out SO much while on my very rare vacations. Thank you for inspiring me to save money on experiences rather than take-out!

[@gopugmama4408]

Great idea for hotel cooking. Your hotel provides a nice breakfast. Just a thought . . . when we travel in our RV, I dump any food particles mixed with water in our toilet to keep our gray tank cleaner. That way I don't have to try and fish out food from my kitchen sink. And, thank you for being so considerate of the hotel staff by leaving your bathroom sink nice and clean! Love seeing your sweet pups!😊

[@DollarTreeDinners]

Great tip!

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

Not to be crude but this tip was given to me ages ago... if it is something you could throw-up, it's okay to go into the toilet. A lightbulb went on when I was given that analogy. Much better than going down a sink's plumbing.

[@lowderra]

Yes! If in doubt, dump it in the toilet. Use the sink to obtain water, but anything that’s not a clear liquid with zero chunks? Into the toilet.

[@thatHARVguy]

My festival volunteering friends on the plumbing crew appreciates the effort to keep the sink free of debris.

[@user-fv1mt6sc5t]

​@yvonnepalmquist8676 that's literally the way that I have perceived it for years, I'm glad to see someone else with the same understanding lol

[@melodychristian974]

Another good “hotel” meal are the frozen meatballs! I buy a package and split them into 4 meals for 2 people… BBQ/instant mashed potatoes Marinara/pasta Teriyaki/instant rice Meatball subs/chips I usually bring a couple bags of the salad mixes, along with fresh veggies and dip/hummus and some snacks! I also get fruit/yogurt and muffins from hotel breakfast! I’d rather spend my money on sightseeing and such! We do try out a local restaurant once or twice sometimes just depends on what’s available! Hope you try these out and see what you think!

[@ej8710]

I remember that trip to San Francisco for a training. On the Sunday afternoon off, I went to the wharf and bought a crab and sourdough bread. I stopped at the 7-ll to get something to drink, hard boiled eggs, snacks and packets of mayo, ketchup and relish, and went to the hotel and to the neighborhood store that had bulk spices, salad, and lovely Ling Cod that really needed to come with me. I cooked the fish in the microwave with fresh dill, a pinch of salt and lemon. I had a feast of Ling Cod and Dungeness Crab for a couple days. Having a traveling kitchen (microwave safe containers, salt, pepper, something to heat food an utensils and paper plates) makes traveling much more comfortable.

[@Onetwothreepeanuts]

You cooked seafood in a hotel room using their microwave?

[@robylove9190]

I traveled all over the United States for my job, for 4 years. My husband and I stayed in motels about 25% of the time and in State Parks and campgrounds the rest of the time. We had a slow cooker and a steamer when we stayed in motels. I cooked all our meals on those. At campgrounds I cooked on the campfire. It was fun and I got really good at it.

[@JulieMartens-d7h]

This was a fabulous episode!! I love your budget friendly vibe. Being a vegetarian I can't always replicate every dish...however I never miss an episode and use your hints and tricks! I always pack my food with me partly to save $$ and partly because I like what I make. You ROCK!!

[@cdnbuddy5798]

Mini dash electric appliances or 3 qt Instant pot great for traveling. Some of the mini dash can be cooked using a 400 watt invertor and 12volts cigarret outlet.

[@christinewilliams72]

Just spent a week in Montana this summer, and never ate one meal out. I was able to do it with a hot pot and steamer, collapsible kettle, a cutting board, and paring knife. The hotel had a mini-fridge. I will continue to do this, and spend my hard earned money on souvenirs and experiences!

[@wendysstitching4849]

That cooker looks great. I use my electric s basically the same way. Thanks for sharing and reminding us that we can cook much cheaper than eating out

[@scook5599]

Great food ideas Rebecca. I would never have thought of the PF Chang's with ramen noodles. Also great point/reminders about respecting the hotel property by leaving your room clean, not forcing food down the drain, cleaning the sink. I might add leaving a tip for housekeeping staff if you can afford it. Even a small tip would be appreciated I think.

[@TexasBlueBonnet61]

As a former motel/hotel housekeeper, just leaving the room is decent condition is greatly appreciated! I've had to clean some of the most disgusting messes that I, personally, would be too ashamed to leave behind. A tip, on top of a room left in decent condition would have put me over the moon! lol

[@dorothybaez]

​@@TexasBlueBonnet61When I was able to travel, I always left a tip for housekeeping. After financial circumstances stopped that, I lived in a hotel for 6 months after a house fire. When I finally checked out, I wasn't able to tip and I felt horrible because the staff had been so kind. (The hotel wasn't pet friendly and on top of everything else they did for us, the pets got to stay too.)I cleaned the room so that all housekeeping had to do was make the bed. I shampooed the carpet, washed the windows, etc.

[@aikanae1]

Retired flt attendant; we got creative with travel sized coffee pots. Try Birds Eye lo mein. The sauce packet can be thawed under tap water. An insulated lunch bag can keep things cold/cool using a refrigerated bottle of water. At home I use the Dezin hot pot (Amazon) and the itakai (uses water in the base like an egg cooker) and LOVE THEM! Watch the wattages. Some only go to 300wt and others go to 1000wt (frying). Different types of cooking. I like soups/stews so lower wattage is better for me. I wipe out the interior with a wet paper towel. Rarely do I have anything that sticks.

[@kakylong2]

When we go to a hotel, which is rare, we always choose one that offers free breakfast. We usually get bread, pb, jelly, fruit, etc. for a lunchtime meal & then will either bring soup or something to heat up, or we will eat out for supper. Great ideas. 😊

[@patvance6205]

We have also cooked extra waffles at breakfast and took a couple of the peanut butter packets to have for a snack/meal later

[@lovetolaugh1956]

I love these videos. When I travel I rarely eat out due to cost & special food needs. I bring a travel cooler , go to the grocery store & utilize the hotel breakfast for breakfast & snacks.

[@robetpeery9084]

Great video Rebecca I love how you are looking out for the unfortunate people who are on hard times. I appreciate that about you and thank you for caring. you truly have a beautiful heart love you always. 👍😊❤❤❤

[@MirandaLeClair]

If a fast food place is not too busy you can sometimes buy just their small containers of dressings, sauces, or sour cream. Another good place to check for individual mini packages of condiments/sauces in the grocery store's prepared food section or deli area if they have one.

[@MirandaLeClair]

Also, I love the P.F Changs bag meals, they don't add the rice/noodles (unless it's one of their fried rice bags) so you get all the main meal part and can decide how much extra carbs you want/need. Alas many of them are breaded so if you need to be gluten free, I'm not sure if any would work for you, but one of those plus a microwave steamer bag of rice makes an easy low effort meal when time/energy is low.

[@poketographyyy]

Thank you for sharing this type of content! With how much more people are traveling or living in smaller spaces akin to hotels with limited kitchen appliances and space, it's great that you're giving us ideas on how to successfully cook in these types of situations. I've learned that canned/packaged foods do well--especially the microwaveable packages (rice, beans, pasta, etc.) since most hotels at least have a microwave. When there's a fridge and freezer, having some basic produce, keeping frozen , and being able to freeze a loaf of bread along with having some basic sandwich makings goes a long way. Using a pot to boil water can also allow for cup noodles or even basic pasta dishes. Once again, you're providing such a valuable service to so many with this type of work. Thank you as always!

[@rhondaakey9166]

When we travel, we utilize the free breakfast to the max! After all, we paid for it. Boiled eggs and bread make egg salad sandwiches. PB & J sandwich, or bagel with cream cheese works too. The bacon on the first morning would have improved your turkey sandwich, or a cut-up sausage could have been added to mac & cheese. We also grab yogurt, fruit and muffin, or sweet bun for mid-morning snack and lunch add-ons. If they have oatmeal packets, those make great late night snacks. If you are eating as light as you did for breakfast, no one would question a few extra items on your plate. It would just appear you're having a larger breakfast. It's all about taking reasonable amounts and not wasting food. Another thing we take is a small cooler or cooler bag (Walmart sells cheap ones for transporting cold/frozen groceries) and ziplock freezer bags. We fill the freezer bags with ice to put in the cooler. That way, we can take items requiring cold storage with us, as well as keep drinks cold. Just dump the water out of the bag and refill the next day. The bags are also great for leftovers, sandwiches, snacks, etc.

[@denisec2987]

Love this one!!!!!!! Great ideas We travel often and I use a rolling soft sided cooler to store my “travel kitchen” I bring a mini ninja blender, mini toaster, and rice cooker. My rice cooker sautés and is similar to the hot pot without me investing in another mini appliance. I have a cutting board, knife, reusable ziplock bags, a bento box, hand can opener, spatula, silverware, hand towel, sponge, soap and a travel salt and pepper. I never unpack the kitchen. I just bring it whenever we car travel.

[@Maritza1963]

Great video and tips. I was in a hotel last week and I cooked eggs, bacon and biscuits and slice cheese for my husband and I and heated in the microwave for breakfast. It was so filling; we were able to stay full until dinner at a restaurant.

[@momof2momof2]

Oh my goodness !!! You did an amazing job on this !! So well done !! Bringing the hot pot with you was such a smart idea . I'm the same way with only wanting coffee first thing. Then about 2 to 3 hours later I will want something to eat. I've always been that way. We always leave our hotel rooms in immaculate condition. We strip the beds, put the bedding and towels together, take out our trash, and generally tidy up whatever needs doing. We get a suite when we travel domestically, so it has an almost full kitchen with dishes, cookware, even a dishwasher. 🥰🍃🍂🍁💗✝

[@lindanizamoff7981]

Twice a year we go with another couple to Wells Maine during the off season. We rent a suite with kitchen. Since allot of the restaurants are closed or very expensive, we go to the local grocery store and buy food for several days then go back and do it again as we need to. The cost is very reasonable and one shopping trip gives us several days of full meals. We make our own coffee with the suite's coffee maker. and I bring herbal tea for the evening, Also, we go online and check the sales paper for the stores sales and plan our meals around it, we buy popcorn to pop in the microwave for the evening or some strawberries and ice cream for snacks. We do go out to eat but not for every meal every day. This is great because 3 of the 4 of us are diabetic so meal control is important.

[@Tiffany-vj1tv]

You are such a lovely kind soul Rebecca. Thank you for all you do to help so many people. Many blessings to you my dear. I wish you were around when I was younger! 🙏🙏🙏🙏 you are amazing and a blessing to so many.

[@erikakvera]

So much respect to you because you take everything head on. Nothing really seems to shake you and you just go with it. It seems like you did that show all on your own a bit aways from home. That in & of itself is tough. And then you say things so causally like “I’ll have to experiment with that”. You’re so unbothered and I admire people who carry themselves so effortlessly. Go girl!

[@elizabethwilliams5714]

Thank you for this video. Videos like this also help those like me who have a big family. We are a family of seven and when we visited Michigan a couple New Years ago I made food in the hotel room. I brought my crock pot and bought like breakfast sandwiches to stick in the mini fridge. I bought a bag of organs and some crackers. Then for dinner I’d try to make a one pot meal. So like beef and gravy and put some broccoli or green beans in there. Then I bought a small bowl to make rice or mashed potatoes. It helped keep the price of food down by eating there at the hotel instead of eating out all the time.

[@Randilynn66]

This is what I do when I travel as far as taking a sponge.I squirted with dish soap.Let it dry, cut it up into 4 pieces.And I don't have to take the bottle.

[@Cookie7294]

Smart of you to do this. My husband and I always traveled with a cooler, and we supplemented from local markets. Hotel rooms with a kitchenette are so practical. Even when I fly, I pack some non perishables in my luggage. I like controlling what and when I eat, and not having to search for restaurants. A similar hot pot is now on my amazon wish list.

[@joycain1119]

Just love this video . We went this past weekend to my daughter in law college graduation in Tampa Florida. We had no microwave and had to go downstairs and use the one In the breakfast area to warm up my oldest two grandkids meals. This is such a nice video to take what you have and not have to go out to eat. We spent too much on going out to eat . Thank you for sharing ❤

[@jjpetunia3981]

Loved this as I always do your videos. I enjoy hearing you think through your plans and ideas and how you would do it differently. Also I appreciated your attitude towards the hotel to be respectful and leave it clean.

[@jenniferlisow2901]

Christine from Frugal Fit Mom has done videos on this topic. She & her family will often bring food & make it like you did in her hotel room. Sometimes she batch cooks for it & heafs up the food like homemade chili & breakfast burritos & other times she makes the food there in a the microwave like rice, steamed veggies, popcorn, etc. Great eay to save money & eat healthier while traveling.

[@mistythompson1398]

We do conventions as well, we have a hot pot and a camping spice kit. We also have a mini air fryer, which is a life saver with a teenage boy. Lol. We gave the rule, breakfast and lunch in the room, dinner out. Even eating two meals in the room is a huge cost savings. One of our favorites is to air fry the sunbutter uncrustable style sandwiches, we don't do peanuts at cons to reduce the risk of triggering someone's allergies. Thanks for sharing your ideas, I will have to take a look at that frozen dinner section in the store next time I go to see if there are any options for us to do at our next one in November.

[@Koalabears7777]

Born and raised in Philadelphia. I love King of Prussia. It was a special treat to go to King of Prussia Mall. Thank you for such a great video with all the extremely helpful information.

[@jacobjohnson4763]

You seem much happier in this video. It’s fun to watch you when you’re happier and having fun with a new challenge

[@dschnell89]

Hi Rebecca! I grew up in PA and am very familiar with King of Prussia! I worked in the mall as a teenager! Thanks for the hotel cooking tips! I recently did a college tour trip with my son. I prepared a casserole ahead of time at home and brought it in two containers to reheat at the hotel. It worked out great and saved $30-40 that I would have spent on a dinner out! I also packed sandwich stuff for lunches which I normally do on trips. I really enjoy watching your videos!

[@honeybadger4133]

There are so many great ideas being posted here! This video and a bunch of the comments have given me ideas for an upcoming convention that I am going to. I maybe have to travel once or twice a year for work but it’s always 5-7 days and all of these ideas are a game changer! Thank you Rebecca and subscribers!!😊

[@PeterA__]

I stumbled across this video and i LOVE IT! I am a flight attendant and i am always in hotels and this video has given me a lot of great ideas to save money and not always eating in the hotel restaurant. THANK YOU!

[@stephikarolyi8706]

Pint or half gallon of milk, cereal, hard salami, bread, mustard, chips, and a couple candy bars is how my mom used to roll on our week long vacations when I was little. We'd usually order out a pizza for dinner for the rest of the week since pizza keeps well and we'd usually have leftover to alternate between the food we already had.

[@judywelch9209]

Loved this video…you are so thoughtful and mindful of other peoples situations …you are truly helping lots of people with your helpful Ideas! ❤❤❤

[@PaulaFlatt-vt1pz]

Very well done, informative and practical video. Thank you for the wonderful ideas. Keep up the good work. I love your channel.

[@empresswb641]

Found myself living in a hotel for a few months. I bought an electric wok at the goodwill, and it was an excellent cooking tool. I was able to make, toast, steak, french fries and even spaghetti. This was before an air fryer was compact and cheap. Love the reminder of a thermos. I will start using that for hot lunches to go.

[@Superfatcat2525]

I love your enthusiasm. Helpful information. It’s fun to travel and even more fun to save money along the way.

[@carlahoag7154]

Very enjoyable video. Years ago when my husband traveled for work, I'd go with him. His hotel room was paid for, so all we had to pay for was my ticket and food. He received a decent per diem and we figured that if we ate in the hotel room for lunch, his allowance would pay for our dinner - but not at the hotel, because it was way too expensive. The trip I remember most was 10 days in Sweden. Our hotel room had a mini refrigerator and it was really just a mini bar with very expensive drinks and candy bars in it. But no coffee pot or microwave. I'd taken one of those elements that heat a cup of water when immersed, so that's all I had to cook with (I also took a plug adapter). We walked to a local grocery and bought a few things for the refrigerator like cheese and olives, bread, and cup o'soup, which we had for lunch. I didn't think of ramen but that would've been good. Then for supper we'd walk to Burger King or take the train to McDonald's. That experience taught me to take along a paring knife (in checked luggage) and salt and pepper but I wasn't nearly as prepared as you were.

[@djz5456]

Rebecca, thank you for this video! It was a lot of fun to watch! You did a wonderful job of planning your meals and snacks!

[@theumpteenthtime8854]

I like that you included the daily struggle of tooth brushing. It's a great example of an important part of the day and night, especially for the younger generations.

[@MistySlocomb]

This was an absolutely awesome video. Thank you. And, as a side note, that unit would work really well for apartment or college dorm living. It's small enough for a single person, but still large enough to cook for 2 ish if needed. Super awesome. Thank you for this video.

[@Susan-l9d]

Rebecca, I loved your hotel cooking video so much. It brought back memories of vacations when our daughter was young and we were on budget vacations. We always backed breakfast and lunch. In the 80’s there were not many hotels that offered breakfast….or at least no hotel where we stayed. We backed a cooler with boiled eggs, fruit, granola and yogurt for breakfast….lunch meat, cheese to make sandwiches. Often I would bake a whole chicken and make potato salad for our dinner. Always cut up veggies and dip. My husband and I always joked that we were a traveling food road show! We always had wonderful vacations with great memories.

[@rachaeljones5758]

If your ever able to go to drury inn. You get dinner and breakfast plus two cocktails per day with them. Double check because a lot has changed since the pandemic. Dinner is different each night. The ones I stayed at let you take the meal to your room. If staying a few days take some things from the breakfast back to your room for a snack or lunch. Mine has fresh fruit . Sliced bread or bagels and peanut butter i do that with a yogurt cup for a light lunch.

[@stephsstuff270]

You deserve all the sour cream you want! I do wish regular groceries sold the little tubes like you can get at restaurants though, it would be really handy!

[@missys.kitchen]

Love this, especially for traveling! I love going out to eat but not every day and these are great options for saving money to be spent on other activities

[@stone.durfey5862]

My Mom found a larger leather doctors' bag while thrifting. We traveled a lot while I was growing up. The many pockets made it good for food making supplies and it opened wide at the top with big storage in the middle. It was great for picnics too. And we had a portable camp stove as well. And we made a bread called at the time (health bread). That was very good just sandwiched with butter as it contained wholewheat flour, cottage cheese, molasses, raisins and I forget the rest, but it was heavy, slightly sweet, moist and so good. Toasted for breakfast it was even better. We also took along a big homemade bag of trail mix. Great for snacks and keeping you regular. That hot pot looks great and something I would use often like my electric frying pan.

[@Xxxero42]

A small Swiss Army Knife might be a good idea for future trips. Most of them have a small knife blade or 2 and a can opener. That might be helpful for you amd broaden what you can pick up on the road.

[@SauerPatchGardening]

We always treat a hotel room like our own home. We use the coffee maker and love it when we can get a room with a mini fridge for leftovers if we go out, We never have house cleaning come in when we don't need it, I certainly don't change my sheets at home every day and find it ridiculous for people to expect or want this for no reason while on vacation. We try and get a hotel with a breakfast option and also take a few things for snacks for the day . I always bring my favorite snacks from home too. We reuse our towels..but if we stay a week, we do ask for clean towels usually once, we leave the do not change sheets sign on our bed, always have the do not disurb sign up the rest of the time, so that house cleaning doesn't needlessly go into our room. We leave a tip for the cleaner at the end of our stay even if they only cleaned once, on the day of our departure. I try not to overuse resources like adding extra laundry just because we can. I also love that hotels are using the big refillable bottles in the bathroom now instead of the minis..less waste.

[@lynnedavenport3298]

I've seen so many 2Good2Go videos that I would love to try it. Like you, I'm not in an area that offer it, but will look for it the next time I'm in a larger city. I also keep a shoe box sized plastic container with a locking lid in my car and I have paper towels, silverware packets and all the other stuff I might need for eating on the road. I stock up on ketchup, mustard, mayo and salsa packets when I eat fast food and keep these in my travel box. Love the ideas you have and always look forward to your videos!

[@johnc.4817]

Thank you for your videos. i had a wisdom tooth ripped out and couldn't eat or drink hardly anything so i watched your thanksgiving and other videos. Your the best.

[@deborahelliott8460]

I do travel some and bring with me a mini crock pot (only $10 at wally world). I also bring a small electric skillet. I do have diabetes and have to cook what I can eat not a lot of carbs but healthy foods. Think. If you are bringing a plate, knife, fork and spoon to your areas, use the plate as a cutting board. If you are cooking food, it should fit on that plate. The book, dinner's in the freezer by Jill Bond is a really good book and can be used for when travelling as well. I also have a device to cook while driving that heats food in an hour, so when I travel, I do plug it in and drive to when I need to stop at a rest area and eat there as well. It's a game changer for sure. Also, get a small mini frig that can plug in the car for when you are driving. Keeps things like drinks cold for you so you are not paying ridiculously higher prices for drinks at gas stations and fast food places. Yes, I am FRUGAL!

[@lindanizamoff7981]

When I go to the dollar store, I buy mini cooking and serving utensils and a small cutting board. I put them in a small, closed container and bring it with us when we travel. I also have a small can opener and scissors in the box. The dollar store is great for small things.

[@deborahelliott8460]

@@lindanizamoff7981 Yep, but why buy a cutting board when you can use a plate? The can opener is a smart buy!

[@yvonnepalmquist8676]

This year I finally broke down and brought my own utensils and plate to work to keep permanently.

[@mollysmith6055]

I love my Instant Pots because they can also work as a skillet, if somewhat awkwardly, for frying.

[@connieblack5276]

I buy a Italian subs cut in 3rds and turn the bead so the flat side is on the outside butter the bread add pickle slices and use a panini press, oh my it takes it up to 10. I kid you not it's like a hot pastrami sandwich. And the winco subs are loaded with meat and cheeses and I can only eat 1/3 with a side salad and they are only about 5.00. Well worth the price. I guess you had to work by yourself this time around. I enjoyed it thanks.

[@drewium6386]

I just recently found this channel and am really enjoying the videos. I think the price of food these days has made many people reassess how they cook. Myself, I've looked back to old family recipes, lots of soups, stews, multi-meal cooking. But I've been really enjoying this newer take on price-conscious cookery. Thanks!

[@CyberGuy247]

Super great idea with the pf Chang meal & ramen I will definitely be adding this to my travel meal ideas. Keep it...I love you videos

[@sallyjean1472]

Loved this video and how real you kept it. I used to travel a lot for work for about 9 years. I'd pack a 3 qt crockpot. And pack my own food from home. My favorites were a split pea soup with a can of ham. And the spices. And for a different flavor - rice with chicken. I'd also pack along a small jar of mayo so I could make sandwiches from the hard boiled eggs from the breakfast bar. I also loved to stay at some Holiday Inns that offered the use of a BBQ to their guests. When staying there, I'd be eating really well. Keep up the good work.

[@amymina1126]

That was a food video I loved it and I loved the art work around you do you draw all of that it’s amazing thank you for the ideas of what we can eat and use to do so 💜

[@vignesham4030]

Thank you for your recommendation of that app. Great to know that such resources exist. Whenever we travel and have a hotel stay with breakfast included, we try to get as much food as possible inside us at breakfast so as to tidy us over lunch too. Snacks that we get are usually popcorn or similar filling ones.If we could pack from home, nuts or trail mix, peanut butter , jerky , cooked meat are the ones we get.

[@Tazzie1312]

I make an egg quiche thing like that at home! All you need is a silicone muffin pan and then whatever veggies you want (I usually use peppers and onions). Put your veggies in the muffin tray, pour beaten eggs over it, then top with cheese if you want, and bake for like 15-20 minutes at 400.

[@aimeveryday2966]

I didn't think I would care for this episode but I actually really enjoyed it. Now I want one of those pots! We stay at hotels or airbnbs often. Thank you!