Another budget travel tip!

I house a tiny pantry in my travel bag, which includes oatmeal, tea, raisins and nuts. Before heading off on a road trip or flight I throw in a few apples or bananas and all combined it’s enough variety that I never have to visit an overpriced airport fast food joint except for coffee or hot water. And I can eat on my schedule, not when the cart shuffles down to my row.

I was at Whole Foods last night and thought to ask if they had any cheese that could remain unrefrigerated, and they directed me to this hard parmesan sitting on an endcap.

This was under $2, and not much less cheese than United’s $6 unimpressive Assorted Cheese Tray which left me hungry when I tried it a few months back.

Whole Foods also sells small packages of meat and sausage, (like mini summer sausage,) which are about $5-$6 and easily fit in a carry on. With some crackers and mustard in a 3-1-1 jar you can make a perfect and cheap mini deli, and your seatmate with the pungent bag of soggy McDonald’s fries will be jealous.

Related: In Praise of Oatmeal