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Inexpensive Vacation Ideas
Summer in the US is typically the time for vacations, especially if you have kids (unless you homeschool but that’s a different topic). So with about a month before school starts up again, many people might be taking a vacation this month.
So, maybe you are still trying to plan a vacation (procrastinator!). Or maybe you’ve just realized you really need a vacation but don’t have one planned or don’t have enough money saved up for a blowout. Here are a few ideas to work in a vacation without blowing the bank.
1. Take a “Stay-cation”
Instead of going somewhere far away for vacation, why not stay close by….like in your house! There has to be numerous activities to do nearby your house. Take a hike, visit some museums, check out local parks or playgrounds (only if you have kids), take in a show, go to the movies, camp out (even if it’s only in your backyard), do stuff that you haven’t gotten a chance to do around your town – just experience your surroundings differently. There has to be a million ideas you can think of for your area!
Do all the stuff you would normally do while on vacation; just don’t pay tons of money for travel, lodging, and food. And if you live in or near a touristy place, even better! Heck, you can still go out to eat like you would on vacation. Your bed and pillow will be more comfortable than what you’d get in a hotel (but you will have to clean up after yourself). Just make sure that you make it like a real vacation and don’t spend the entire time cleaning, working, or doing non-vacation things.
2. Visit (and stay with) family or friends
As sort of a hybrid vacation/stay-cation, take off to a friend’s house or stay with family for your vacation (get their permission first, of course). While there, you’ll get to do all the normal vacation stuff and, different from the stay-cation, you’ll get to experience a new place. By staying with friends or family though, you’ll save a bunch on lodging costs and reduce your food bill (you won’t eliminate it since it will be really rude to stay at someone’s house and eat all their food without chipping in – unless maybe if it’s your parents house!). Throw on top of all this the fun of sharing your vacation with others and this could be a real winner.
It does help to know people that live in interesting places though. We actually did this twice in the past few years. Last summer we visited West Palm Beach, Florida for a vacation with my wife’s family (staying at her sister’s house) and currently we’re in Hershey, Pennsylvania staying with my parents. Just remember that you are not staying in a hotel so pitch in for food and other miscellany and, again, you’ll have to pick up after yourself. But you will still save money and eat better than being at a hotel and eating at restaurants every day (ok, can we at least say you’ll eat healthier?).
3. The Last Resort: The No-Vacation
If you really can’t afford it, this is your best bet (that’s what Dave Ramsey would say too). I don’t particularly recommend this option unless you really would have trouble doing even a stay-cation. I’ve said it before: you need to live life, have some fun, and make some memories. Before throwing in the proverbial towel on your vacation plans, explore the first two options and any others you can think of.
But be realistic and if you can’t afford a vacation without depleting your savings or going into debt, then skip it. If you do miss a vacation this year, then definitely sit down and make plans for a vacation and immediately start saving up for that (hopefully not-so-distant) future vacation.
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Inexpensive Vacation Ideas | BorrowFromNone…
Summer in the US is typically the time for vacations, especially if you have kids (unless you homeschool but that’s a different topic). So with about a month before school starts up again, many people might be taking a vacation this month.
So, maybe y…
We have had the benefit of being able to stay with friends on a few of our last vacations and it is such a blessing! We have been able to make many more vacas than we would have been able to otherwise…
I really need a vacation!
I love seeking travel deals and I like to share them as well. Here are a couple I know of. Enjoy!
Universal Orlando
Disney 7 Day Vacation