by Carey Keavy
 
 
Vacation time again, eh? Where is it this year gals...the Andes...the Bahamas....the Riviera? Well, if you are a penny-pinching at-home mama with lots of ginormous mouths to feed on an almost non-existent budget, those places may seem a little out of reach.


Have you been thinking you'll never be able to afford another vacation on this ONE INCOME LIFE? Let me assure that you with a tad of research here, and a dollop of miserly mentality there...you most certainly can.


Knowing you've created a family vacation that will not only bring smiles to the faces of your clan, but also leave you free of burdensome debt is worth every ounce of time you'll put into planning. Allow me (oh, do tell me, Great Frugal One...) to gently guide you into the unknown world of the frugal vacationer; a place where no family goes without a splashy summer excursion, a place where keen strategy reigns and overpriced admission-fees die...only in....The Travel Tightwad Zone...



Plan ahead!
 The main ingredient for debt- free vacation success is planning and saving well in advance of the actual trip. For our South Dakota trip, we saved for many months until we mustered up $1000.00 We budgeted our one-week trip according to what money we had, and actually came back with money in our pockets.


Go to a state that touches yours!
Don't think you can afford a vacation across the world? How about across the state? By driving a few hours to a bordering city in another state, you can get the feel of an exciting adventure with both little time and monetary commitment.


Spring for the kitchenette!
By booking either a kitchenette hotel room, or choosing a small housekeeping cabin, you will have the freedom of grocery shopping when you arrive at your vacation spot which will enable you to be in full control of how much you eat out. Of course, you'll still want to indulge in a restaurant or two...but doing most of the cooking in your room will end up saving you tons of cash. Another twist to this money-saving idea is to bring along an ice chest, and an electric frying pan. Some motels offer small refrigerators and microwaves in the rooms as well...do your homework and opt for foods which are a bit easier to cook...you are on vacation, after all!


Plan for only one admission-based activity!
Our family chose to visit South Dakota a few years back for its unique Reptile Gardens facility. We purposefully planned our weeks stay including only two admission-based activities. We enjoyed cave- discovering hikes, traveled the streets of local historic towns, and were even blessed with a binoculars view of 10-12 deer running along the base of the beautiful South Dakota mountains....all completely free!


Get in that car, and go!
The cost of gas is certainly much less than the cost of airline tickets for your entire family. For a 10 hour drive round-trip, you may have to fill your gas tank only 6-7 times. (Compare this cost to the average airline ticket of $350.00 per person.) If the wear and tear on your vehicle really bugs you...renting a car is still a cost-effective way to travel by highway. Road trips also allow you to see many things you would certainly miss from the sky.


Stay in your own state!
Don't forget the wonderful tourist possibilities in remote locations of your very own state. There are bound to be attractions in towns you've never been to...or better yet...never even heard of! In my opinion, the smaller and older the town, the better. Many local cities offer unique namesakes such as "Home of the World's Biggest Ball of Twine." Now, how many people can say they've traveled from afar to see that?


Take a mini-vacation!
Our family thoroughly enjoys what we like to term mini-vacations...simply a one- night stay in any city and in any hotel with a swimming pool. Even if you are only a few miles away from home, just being out of your native environment for one measly night has the ability to revive the spirit.


Pitch a tent!
 If we are wise with our spending, camping trips can be a very economical way to vacation. Compare $15.00 per night of tenting to $59.00 per night in the cheapest motel, and you've got yourself a deal! If you are not fully equipped with all the gear you'll need to camp, ask friends and family if they wouldn't mind lending you their equipment for your tree-hugging excursion. Chances are...that gear has remained untouched in their attic or garage for a long time...offer a trade-off for free dusting service.


Surf the Web for flight deals!
If you decide to fly, don't forget to use the Internet to uncover some terrific deals on airline tickets. I have personally used Priceline.com to name my own price on $150.00 round-trip tickets from Minnesota to Nevada and back again numerous times now. The more willing you are to make connections, the more flexible your arrival and departure dates, the better chance you have to secure a whopper of a bargain.


Ditch the souvenirs, would ya?!
How many times have you received a well-intentioned can-cooler plastered with the name of a recently visited geographic location from the relatives? Now, be honest...how many of you have felt the pangs of guilt as you slyly continued to scoot the nude- woman-silhouette-sporting Key West seashell further and further out of eyesight until it accidentally fell off the table? (Oops!) The internal pressure we feel to bring something back to friends and family is real...but let's do them a favor this year...and opt for sending the 25 cent postcard. Your pals and relatives can send their thank you cards directly to me.

Bon voyage!