How to Take a Cheap Vacation

Everyone deserves a good vacation. Here is a way to get out of town when your pocketbook isn't jam packed with cash.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Keep an eye out for vacation savings online; there are many travel agencies online that offer fantastic savings on nearly every location and attraction. You can save a great deal of money on hotels, airfare, cruises, and even some of the activities packages.

2. Watch for travel discounts and coupons. Online travel agencies often have specials that last anywhere from a few hours to a few days that can save you a large amount of cash. To receive notices of specials and membership discounts, join the mailing list and you will be kept in the know of cheap travel opportunities. You can often find jaw dropping prices for destinations such as Disneyland, or Hawaii.

3. Be aware of the dates which you are departing and returning. A flight that leaves on any given Friday will be more expensive than one that leaves on a Thursday, just as a flight that returns on a Sunday will cost you more than one that comes home on a Monday. You can fly cheap if you travel in off peak times.

4. When flying, put yourself on the "bump" list, if traveling leisurely. Airlines will compensate the hassle of switching or delaying flights with free travel vouchers, often including lodging and meals. By being flexible in your traveling itinerary, you may earn yourself a free vacation.

5. Think local. Pack your purse or backpack, load the trunk of your car and set off on a short weekend getaway that is within a 3 hour radius of your home city. Sometimes you don't have to cover many miles to relieve the stress of the workweek. Just keep in mind that taking a vacation does not have to be so expensive that you need to take out a loan or go into debt to pay for your fun.

6. Don't use your credit card to pay for your vacation; a high interest rate will end up costing you even more. Look for for vacation packages that are roughly in your budget to avoid undue stress.

Resources

• How to Save Money Every Month