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My MUST HAVE essentials for living in a motel
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items I have been homeless & living in a motel with my brother, my mom, and my dad for the past 4 months. Motel living can be scary, unpredictable, and stressful. Here are some of the items/products that have been saving me through this difficult time,...
Sections
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Cheap food
Cooking utensils and gadgets
Health/beauty
Cheap food
4 pack of microwaveable Kraft Mac & Cheese Cups. Super convenient for motel living as you just add water & pop it right in the microwave! To make it more yummy, you can add some of your favorite shredded cheese & some salt + pepper. Great...
Kraft Original Mac and Cheese Cups Easy Microwavable Dinner- 8.2oz/4ct
The first time my mom & I had this we were SO SHOCKED. Seriously, for this being a microwave dinner, it was delicious. It filled us both up (especially when we had it with sides of instant microwaveable potatoes & salad)!
HORMEL SQUARE TABLE Meatloaf With Tomato Sauce Refrigerated Entrée, Refrigerated, 15 oz Plastic Tray
This precooked chicken is seriously a life-saver when living in a motel. Such a quick and simple dinner idea. Warm it up in the microwave, add it in a burrito or in a salad & mwah! You have dinner!
Perdue Chicken Strips, White Meat, Grilled
Tuna isn’t everyone’s thing, but if it’s yours then you will probably love these tuna on-the-go packs! Perfect for quick snacks & super filling!
Bumble Bee Tuna Salad with Crackers Snack Kit - 3.5oz
Finding breakfast foods to cook in the motel has been a bit of a challenge, especially since my motel doesn’t have a freezer so we can’t buy those frozen breakfast sandwiches. These microwaveable oatmeal cups have been super helpful in making sure we...
Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Apple Cinnamon, Quick Cook Oatmeal, 1.5oz Cup
4 pack of microwaveable Instant Mashed Potatoes. These are PERFECT for motel living since they are small & easy to store, as well as easy too cook (just add water and pop into the microwave). Great quick sides for meals that fill you up!
Idahoan Gluten Free Buttery Homestyle Microwavable Mashed Potato Cups - 6oz/4ct
Cooking utensils and gadgets
Living in a motel can be so stressful when you don’t have any way to cook your food. Having a mini slow-cooker is a lifesaver for my family & I. You can cook a variety of foods in here and have little to no mess, such as: chicken, pasta dishes, r...
Elite Gourmet MST-250XS 1.5-Qt. Mini Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel
These are specifically for if you have a slow-cooker, you must have a way to stir your food! Dollar tree has so many cheap kitchen utensils for this, but these are one of my favorites!!
Cooking Concepts Silicone Kitchen Tools
If you do a lot of cooking, it can be hard to do so in a motel when you don’t have any knives. This $10 pack has 6 different chef knives for you to easily use to make whatever meals you need to while staying in a motel.
Knife Set,McCook 12-Piece Kitchen Knives Set, Colorful and Fashionable Coated Stainless Steel Knives with Black Blade Guards, 6 Knives with 6 knives sheath - Walmart.com
My mom & I make salads a lot while in the motel because it’s cheap & quick for dinner. These cheap cutting boards have been so helpful for us to chop all the ingredients on, and they’re super easy to clean as well.
Mainstays 4 Pack Nonslip Flexible Cutting Mats, 14.1" x 10.8", 50% Recycled PP, Multicolor
Buying paper plates can be super expensive, which is why we decided to get this pack of plastic plates! This 12 pack is only $6 and saves us money by washing & reusing instead of buying paper plates every week.
(12 pack) Mainstays 10.5" Round Plastic Plate, Gray
Reusable & travel silverware is so useful for living in a motel (or just traveling in general). No need to spend money buying plastic silverware, just wash & reuse!
Lnrkai Travel Camping Utensils Set with Case, Plastic Silverware Knife Fork Spoon Service for 4
Health/beauty
Cheap motels don’t always have the best hair care products, they usually lead to your hair being either dried out or super oily. This dove brand of shampoo + conditioner has been saving my hair and keeping it nice & clean!
Dove Beauty Daily Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner Set - 12 fl oz/ 2ct
Before living in a motel I had NO CLUE how cheap shaving razors could be. These 10ct packs are only $1.25 and lasts quite a bit!
Assured Twin Blade Disposable Razors with Lubricating Strips, 10-ct. Packs
Pure Silk Coconut & Oat shaving cream is a must have item when living in a motel, especially when it’s as cheap as $1.25 and lasts for a while.
Pure Silk Coconut & Oat Flour Shaving Cream, 5 oz. Cans
Pads can be so darn expensive & unfortunately they are a necessity. These are some of my favorite cheap & non-leak brands of overnight pads
CVS Maxi Pads, Long Super, 42 CT
A pack of 6 toothbrushes for only $1. PERFECT for motel living, super cheap and there’s a nice supply for whoever else may need them (or for yourself!)
Dr. Fresh Adult Manual Toothbrush with Tongue Scraper Head, Firm, 6 Count
Everyone needs deodorant no matter where they live. Travel sizes have been my favorite since they’re cheap & easy to store.
Dove Beauty Advanced Care 72-Hour Cool Essentials Mini Antiperspirant & Deodorant Stick - Travel Size - 0.5oz