subject: Vacationing For Less [print this page] For some people, vacations are supposed to be a fun thing- something that can be enjoyed by the entire family. However, for most people, after the first few days are over and the excitement has sort of worn down a bit, that is when you start thinking about the money that you are spending as well as the funds that you will have left over to complete your vacation dream.
In order to save money on vacationing, there are many people who are beginning to look into things such as timeshares, split condominiums as well as shared vacation rentals on the beach. However, another way that you can look into saving on your vacation plans is to opt to carpool with another family. Instead of taking your car, try to plan it where you rent a larger car and split the cost between yourself and someone else like a friend or other family members. The costs that you will save in not having to drive your own car as well as not having to put all of the added wear and tear on your vehicle will far outweigh anything else.
Another idea for how to save money when vacationing lies in the fact that you should try to make your vacations a little closer to home. As much as many of us would love to fly out of the country and do a European tour or spend time on one of the many exotic, sandy beaches somewhere across the globe, the reality of the situation is that we are in the middle of an economic recession, which means that we are going to have to make do with what we have. You can still have a great vacation, but you simply have to do it at a cost that is more affordable to your current financial situation, and this often means having to sacrifice the location of your leisure time. For example, if you live in New York, why not take a vacation by car or a short flight to Connecticut? Look up various destinations that are near to where you live and compare prices. Chances are, you will be able to find a fairly good deal no matter what.
Talk to other family members and figure out the best types of vacation spots in the area that you live in. If it's just you and your significant other, maybe you can plan a short weekend trip to a local bed and breakfast. Eat at a local restaurant that you've never tried before. There are a bunch of different options that are available to you if you only give yourself a chance! Most importantly, realize that vacationing on a budget doesn't have to feel like you are on a budget. You can still have an enjoyable time doing or trying something brand new without spending a ton of money.
