Footprints
Creative Commons License photo credit: JoshuaDavisPhotography.COM

Now that my move into my new home is behind me, I’m starting to plan for my upcoming summer vacation. This year my family decided to take a two week summer vacation to escape the daily routine, to spend time together, to spend time outdoors, and to spend time alone (aka “me time”).

In the spirit of the economy (and the fact that I just bought a house) I am approaching this vacation with a low cost budget in mind. Although I will be splurging on my annual trip to my favorite spa, the rest of my trip will be spent on the beach, at the pool, fishing, hiking, painting, writing, biking, playing tennis, and spending time with my children, husband, and extended family.

The beauty behind these activities (besides the fact that they are some of my favorite activities) is that they won’t cost me money. Other than the spa, I love how my “me time” activities will be free.

Bike
Creative Commons License photo credit: xabifesta

If your “me time” activities are not free, I encourage you to brainstorm how you can reduce costs for your vacation so you have the budget to indulge a little and take the necessary time for YOU.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, I’m including a list of great online resources that helped me get ready for my low cost vacation. I hope they give you some great ideas for cutting costs so you can spend your vacation money where is counts – on YOU.


Creative Commons License photo credit: Xava du [photographer padawan]

This is Your Moment!

Let me know in the comments section how you are going to work your summer vacation budget so you can budget in more time for YOU?

Showing 7 comments
  • J.D. Meier

    So many of the best things in life really are free.

    I find that as long as I can break away from my routine, that’s good enough of a vacation for me. It’s really about either creating time, or space, or change … and it helps me renew.

    J.D. Meier´s last blog post..Passion, Profit, and Value

  • Stacey Shipman

    We are lucky to live less than 15 minutes from the beach, mountain biking and hiking trails. So our long distance travels have decreased as we spend more time near home. There is no reason not to, and I love it.

    Stacey Shipman´s last blog post..Personal Connections and Networking Success

  • Betsy Wuebker

    Vacations, whether they’re at home or away, are about disconnecting and relaxing. The family cabin costs a tank of gas and groceries – pretty similar to what you’d spend at home. We do a lot of traveling to other places, and tend to make our choices with frugality in mind in order to stretch the budget. I’m glad you get to treat yourself to the spa, though – and I’d tend to put that on the “necessary” list. 🙂

    Betsy Wuebker´s last blog post..CHANGE DOESN’T COME FROM THE TOP

  • Kreskowki

    At least you will have some kind of vacation. My vacation consists of saving money for my “trip” to Denmark. I’m going to study there so it’s not like it’ll be easy and relaxing either.

    Kreskowki´s last blog post..Krecik ogrodnikiem

  • wilma Ham

    I am blessed too. Here in New Zealand I live close to the most quiet and beautiful beaches of the world. I am blessed in other ways as well. There are no cafes here in the wilderness. That means bring your own food and thus saving money. What I have always done was buying real yummy food, prepare as much as I could beforehand so I felt I got a holiday from cooking and then up and away into nature to camp or day tripping. We had the best of both world, affordable gourmet food al fresco in the most stunning nature settings. Gives me money for my spa as well.

    wilma Ham´s last blog post..Is this the reason we like firewalking and abseiling so much?

  • Angie

    This is a good reminder for me! I am at a point in my life right now (with 2 toddlers 2 and under) where I have to actually schedule the ‘me’ time or it just does not happen. I can always find time for others, but sometimes forget about self care. Thanks for the reminder!

    Angie´s last blog post..0711ddebe7fd2b92.jpg

  • Powered by Tofu

    I don’t have kids so all of my vacation time is “me time”! 😉 Seriously though, one of the best ways to save money on vacations is to get smokin’ deals in the first place (instead of having your heart set on one specific destination)… which often takes more flexibility in your schedule, but overall will leave you with a lot more flex spending once you’re on holiday.

    Powered by Tofu´s last blog post..In Season Cooking: Roasted Summer Vegetables