Vacationing is one of the best ways to break out of your normal routine and treat yourself to nice things. You'll typically splurge more on things like shopping, entertainment and food while you're not in your hometown, since you're determined to fully enjoy the vacation experience. But what if you know you can't afford the typical vacation costs? Here are a few tips to help you cut back on your food spending, so you can get down to relaxing without worrying about your bank account.

Research Ahead of Time

This is a step that comes naturally for people with special dietary needs, but it's something everyone should do when trying to save money on vacation. Do some research to find restaurants close to where you're staying, so you know what your choices are ahead of time. Doing so will give you a more realistic idea of how much you'll be spending on each meal to help prepare you for what you should budget.

Plan to Eat in

Eating in might not be as doable as you'd like it to be if you're in a hotel room, but it's not impossible. Plenty of places around vacation spots deliver, so you'll be able to pick up food at your hotel's front door. If you've rented a place like a condo, you'll have a stove you should use to your full advantage. Load up on some familiar groceries and experiment with new, local groceries you might not have in your hometown. Either way, you're saving lots of money by cooking meals yourself, instead of eating out.

Ask Locals for Help

Sometimes you can do lots of Internet research, but still not get accurate reviews. After all, it's much easier to go online and say something negative than to write out a glowing review. That's why when you check in wherever you're staying, you should ask around to see where the locals like to eat.

After unloading your bags, ask the hotel staff for suggestions. They'll be able to guide you away from any of the tourist spots that'll make you wait for hours to some more affordable hidden gems where the locals hang out. Hotel staff gets lots of questions, so they'll be prepared to help you out with anything you might need.

Set Yourself a Cash Budget

One of the problems of being on vacation is the temptation to just keep swiping your debit or credit card and worry about the bills when you get home. That approach might work for some vacation activities, but when you're trying to save on food, use strictly cash instead. Having to give cash away will make you think twice before you hand over another $20 for food you don't really need. Budgeting is always something you'll need to do, just to be smart with what you have.

Saving money on food while you're on vacation isn't impossible when you give it a little thought and planning beforehand. Figure out what you want to spend, and don't be afraid to ask locals for help with deciding where to get the best deals. In the end, you'll be more at ease while you're having fun doing other things, and you'll be financially stress-free when you get back home.

Scott Huntington is a writer from central Pennsylvania. He enjoys working on his home and garden with his wife and 2 kids. Follow him on Twitter @SMHuntington