Saturday, May 5, 2012

You Can Still Take That Vacation With Your Family

By Greg Tilley


A lot of American families, maybe yours as well, have been forced to make sacrifices in these recent years due to the rising costs of living - and driving. And maybe you've forced yourself at least once to sacrifice one of the great American traditions - the family vacation. It can be hard to cut back on this after all the time you've spent working - you need to bond with your family. The solution would be an affordable family vacation.

These days, there's a new word being used by a lot of families - Staycation. You can't blame those who coined the word, because families are making their homes Ground Zero for their stay at home vacation. Do you really know what your hometown offers in the way of fun and adventure?

The Chamber of Commerce in your hometown is a good place to start - give them a quick call. They will let you know about different activities and places to visit close to home, and most of these should be within your budget. You can go to zoos, museums, festivals, parks, swimming pools and other affordable destinations. Instead of sleeping at the hotel and eating at a restaurant, you save money with a home-cooked meal and the comfort of home.

Think of it like you're visiting a new town - that's what advisors suggest. Eating at home saves money, but a fancy dinner out wouldn't hurt. This could allow moms (and dads, too) the chance to enjoy vacation time and not have to cook. You could also schedule a short day trip to a nearby attraction.

A camping trip just right after summer or right before spring could be a nice way to save and enjoy. This is a perfect time to commune with nature and enjoy a nice weenie roast with the family. This is perfect for strengthening the family dynamic. And all you have to spend is a thousand dollars if you can find an affordable family camp for four people - the $1,000 is inclusive of food, lodging and activities.

If your town isn't fit for a "staycation", then you can look for affordable hotels out of town. Instead of a four-star hotel, book a two-star. It's a small sacrifice to bring your own toiletries, but you can really be able to save this way. You can even get a free breakfast in most discount hotels. Eat a hearty breakfast so you don't have to eat lunch.

If your family is large, you can save by booking a condo or suite instead of two rooms. Save money and enjoy the down time in a hotel pool, hot tub or health club. Take this opportunity to stay fit. You've got a pretty good deal so why not enjoy what you've got?

As far as off-season booking is concerned, one way to save is by booking an all-inclusive resort. It's hard to find a venue that doesn't cater to families and for one price everything is included from meals, drinks and lodging. One good thing about this is that a lot of these are beach resorts. Big bargains are being found south of the border in Mexico if you're willing to do some research.

One of the simplest budget vacation options is to take your family to a theme park. You get everything free with the price, except food and drinks. This means free shows, rides and picnic areas. You can usually stay several days at a theme park and never do the same thing twice. Check out their package deals and save.

Determine your limits. Research, research, research and you can get a good deal. Whether you plan to stay home or go out of town, you family will appreciate it if you make a genuine effort to make the vacation enjoyable - and affordable.




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