How to Go on a Cheap Family Vacation
It's no secret that a lot of families are opting out of family vacation this year. Money is tight and if it's not tight yet, the anticipation of it becoming that way is enough to scare you out of enjoying yourself. Frugal is smart, but cutting all the good stuff out is no way to live! Here are a few suggestions that may still allow you to have a good time on a family vacation.
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Instructions
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Look for local resorts in the area that you live in. Lucky you if you already live in a resort-laden vacation spot like Florida or Nevada! Use the internet on web sites like www.orbitz.com, or www.expedia.com. to find and compare rates for the dates that you would like.
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Once you have looked up and compared a few different dates and resorts, make sure that you have the vacation time, or planned time off to take your vacation from work. Thursday and Friday, or Monday and Tuesday are always great if you already have the weekend off. That gives you four days, while only having to miss two days of work. For some people, even a long, well deserved vacation is not relaxing because work piles up as they are gone. Shorter vacations are a temporary solution for peace of mind, and still taking a break for some people.
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Once your vacation time is approved, and you have compared rates on different discount vacation sites, use your credit card to reserve your vacation at the resort. Resorts are great because sometimes they can make you feel like you are away from home. They usually have on-site boutiques, restaurants, spas, and pools. The Great Wolf Resort in Grapevine, Texas has an indoor water-slide!
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Dress appropriately. Make sure you check the weather before you take the vacation, for example, you live in warm and sunny California, and you want to take a four day weekend at Bear Mountain. It may be 65 degrees where your home is, but by the time you get to the top of the mountain, you realize that there is snow, and the sweatshirt and hat you have on aren't exactly keeping you warm enough to go sledding.
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Tips & Warnings
Check about 5 to 6 different travel web sites, and find out if you have any discounts that can be added from your place of employment, or club cards like Cotsco and AAA, before making your reservation.
There is nothing wrong with taking a vacation in the same state that you live in. Children often tend to pay more attention to the yummy dessert menus, giant swimming pools, and activities that a lot of good resorts have on site. It depends on what resort you go to.
Always read reviews. A resort may look beautiful, but if it is understaffed, or dirty, you may leave more stressed out than you were before you went.
Take snacks and water with you to your room. It's nice to dine at the resort, but you are on a budget, so it is a good idea to have healthy snacks and water in your room, just in case.
Even though taking a long weekend is smart and convenient, taking a trip during week days during an off-season, is usually the cheapest route to go, and you can still really enjoy yourself. As a bonus, there will be less crowds.
Double check your check-in dates! It is so important, because hotels and resorts are often unforgiving for mistakes that may cost them money. It is common that people set the vacation date for the correct month, but he wrong year, and when they go to reserve their room---HELLO-----lots of fees and arguing.
Make sure you are aware of any fees that are associated with the hotel. There may be taxes that you have to pay when you get there, that you did not have to pay in your bundle.
Be prepared to have money held on your credit card before you go to a resort. Call ahead to find out how much of a deposit they will put on your card once you get there.
