How many times have you left a rest area, convenient store or other side-of-the-road establishment and found that you have emptied your wallet buying snacks? For us, it happens all the time. You see – we are snackers. If we are in the car for more than 45 minutes, we are usually looking for something to eat!

With the cost of gas, I still balk at paying $80 to fill up our car. But, that’s the reality that we’re in right now. Couple that with another $50 worth of snacks – ROUND TRIP – and gosh, we might as well fly to our destination!

But, the answer is simple: You can’t control the gas prices, but you can control the snack prices.

Have each person in your family make a list of their 3 favorite roadtrip snacks. With list in hand (and coupons, of course, if you have them), head to the grocery and buy those items. Don’t buy the pre-packaged snack sizes – buy the full-sized items. Once you get home, grab a ziploc bag and write the person’s name. Then, separate the portions yourself. Grab a small basket or recyclable shopping bag and fill it with each person’s items. When you are ready to head out, everyone grabs their own bag and it is full of snacks just for them!

Each person has their own convenient store right at their fingertips. And, don’t forget the cooler with your favorite drinks. (Spend a little more for twist tops over canned drinks for kids. The ability to control the spills is worth a few more pennies!)

* This post is part of a weekly segment on KSBJ Christian Radio. For more on segments featuring Stephanie Click, the Texas Money Mom, click here.