Travel on a Budget

With all the worry about finances and jobs these days, we find many people are cutting back on luxuries and non-necessary items. Many times, this includes the family vacation, and this isn't necessarily a good thing. Vacations offer a respite from everyday life, and are good for the heart and soul. To take this essential 'down time' away from yourself may not be healthy, and can in fact be detrimental.



With this in mind, following are a few tips on taking affordable trips, so you can ensure you get enough balance and time away to handle your work stresses well.

• Make a list of what's important to you in a vacation and why. You may find that you can achieve the essence of your ideal holiday with a lot less travel and expense - maybe just for this year. For instance, if you're dreaming of Caribbean beaches and lounging in the sun, perhaps you can grab a cheap flight (or even choose to drive) to Miami and down into the Florida Keys, staying at a B&B and enjoying the many very private and beautiful beaches along the way. The Keys tourism industry, in fact, has been hit hard by these economic times, and on our last trip just under a year ago we found the local merchants and hoteliers practically begging for business. They'll be super-happy to see you, and you can enjoy turquoise waters and palm trees that just might fulfill your craving - for now.
• Use websites such as Priceline and Hotwire to find affordable options. These consolidators (click here for more information on how these work) offer deep discounts on everything from hotels to car rentals to airfare, and in conjunction with some great reviews to help you avoid places you may not enjoy, you should be able to put together the perfect vacation for much less than retail.
• Share rooms and/or look for hotel alternatives. In many instances, you can get fabulous deals at villas and rental suites instead of standard hotels. Many people own villas and suites in popular destinations, and in these times such owners are even more willing to be flexible on rental fees than usual. Try sites such as VRBO (vacation rentals by owner) and the 'vacation rentals' section of craigslist.com for local listings in many cities and holiday destinations.