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We’re officially living the hotel life! We closed on our house last week and have been living in a hotel since. It’s not terrible—in fact, we consider ourselves lucky—especially since our hotel has a kitchen and laundry facilities.
It’s easy to eat out every night, and the kids would prefer it since it feels like a treat. But there’s a real problem with relying on restaurants every day. Not only is it unhealthy, but it’s also expensive.
Last week, I took the kids out to lunch at a fast-casual restaurant known for fresh produce. For 3 kids’ meals (chicken tenders and mac & cheese), 3 drinks, and a side salad for me, it cost nearly $45—for one meal! For our family of five, I usually spend $100–$150 per week on groceries. That lunch alone ate up nearly a quarter of my weekly budget.
I was already trying to find ways to stretch our grocery dollars—now add the complexity of hotel life and minimal kitchen tools, and it’s a whole new kind of challenge.
But just because we’re living in a hotel doesn’t mean we have to eat out every night. There are still ways to eat healthy and save money, even in this in-between season. Whether you’re in a hotel with a kitchenette or just a microwave, these tips (and recipes) can help you stay nourished and on budget.
My Best Tips for Hotel Grocery Budgeting
1. Check the Ads + Shop Discount Stores
Before I shop, I take 10 minutes to scroll through the weekly ads on the Flipp app. It saves time and helps me plan meals around what’s actually on sale.
2. Meal Plan
I just discovered this website by BudgetBytes and it has easy, budget-friendly recipes—plus they break down the cost per serving! I’m planning to lean more into this while we’re in this hotel to keep meals simple: proteins, veggies, and a starch.
3. Meal Prep in Bulk
I’ll cook 2–3 pounds of chicken at once (oven-baked or pan-seared), then separate it into portions with different marinades or sauces to keep things interesting.
4. Leftovers Are Your Friend
I repurpose leftovers as best I can. Grilled chicken becomes tacos, wraps, sliders, rice bowls, or soup. Extra rice? Make fried rice or toss it into a burrito bowl and layer with your protein and salsa.
5. Be Strategic About Bulk
In a hotel, storage space is limited. Skip massive Costco runs unless it’s something shelf-stable and frequently used (like oats, peanut butter, or canned beans).
6. Use Cashback and Rewards Apps
Here are the ones I actually use:
- Ibotta: Earn cashback by scanning receipts or linking your loyalty cards.
- Fetch Rewards: Scan receipts and trade points for gift cards.
- Flipp: Aggregate weekly ads so you can plan sales-based meals.
- Checkout 51: Offers cashback on grocery, household, and gas purchases.
My Go-To Hotel-Friendly Meals
These have saved us again and again—minimal cleanup, maximum flavor:
- Instant Oatmeal with Toppings
Add nut butter, fruit, or protein powder. Use the coffee pot to get hot water! - Microwave Scrambled Eggs (When travelling for work, I’ve had to do this)
Crack eggs in a mug with a splash of milk, salt, and pepper. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between. - Rotisserie Chicken with Bagged Salad
Cheap, no prep, and can be stretched in multiple meals. - Quesadillas or Wraps
Use tortillas to wrap up any protein + cheese + veggies. Toast in a pan or even on a waffle maker! - One-Pot Pasta (if you have a stove)
Cook pasta and toss in pre-cooked chicken, frozen veggies, and jarred pesto or marinara. - Rice Cooker Meals
Rice cookers (like this one) aren’t just for rice—throw in rice, broth, canned beans, and some veggies and let it go! - “Charcuterie Night” – We usually do this once a week. We get out our wooden cutting boards and load them up with some of our leftovers. Left over rotisserie, chicken, steak or even little smokies? Put them on the board! Add some fresh fruit, slices of cheese and crackers and the kids go to town!
Grace in the in between
This season is a reminder that even when life looks different, home is not a place—it’s the heart you carry with you. We might be living out of suitcases, cooking in a tiny kitchen, and sharing space in new ways, but we’re still showing up for each other. Every meal I prepare, even with limited tools and ingredients, becomes a small act of faithfulness—proof that hospitality doesn’t require perfection.
In fact, some of our most meaningful family moments have happened in the in-between spaces. We’re gathered closer, talking more over simple meals, and learning to be resourceful together. I’m reminded that homemaking isn’t about having the perfect setup—it’s about cultivating peace, warmth, and nourishment wherever you are.
God meets us in the places we didn’t expect to stay long. He provides daily bread, just like He did for the Israelites in the wilderness. And He uses these transitional seasons to teach us dependence, gratitude, and grace.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:19
So, if you find yourself in a season of transition—living out of a hotel, a rental, or even a place that doesn’t feel like “home”—take heart. God is not waiting for things to settle down before He blesses you. He’s already with you, making a way, and sustaining you in the middle of the move.
You can still nourish your family. You can still live intentionally. You can still find grace in this very moment.
This is so AWESOME!! Thank you for those app ideas. Any way to save a buck I’m in! I use the Raileys App before we go everytime. The kids laugh at me because they say “it’s just one dollar your saving”. Yup that one dollar adds up, so we can spend on other things. Great meal ideas as well! What protein powder would you recommend for instant oats?