During uncertain economic times, one of the first expenses to be shed is often a family vacation. Not everyone can afford to take time off from work, and besides, vacations can be expensive. In the spirit of fun and recreation this summer, we’d like to pass along a few vacationing tips.

Where to go

Even while the U.S. dollar is stronger abroad than it has been in some time, not everyone can afford to jet around the world, visiting exotic locations. A vacation destination certainly does not have to involve going far away either. A bit of common sense is to take a vacation closer to home. It doesn’t have to be a “stay-cation” either, where you vacation at home, although that can be both relaxing and stress-free. Maybe you live near the shore or there is an exciting  big city near you?  This will put the cost of airfare right back into your pocket.

Another possibility is to look into some of the larger tourism centers. For example, Las Vegas hotels are offering steep discountss for people who book hotels early, precisely because not very many people can afford to travel to Las Vegas right now. Many other vacation attractions are providing incentives to bring in travelers and lowering their prices. If you shop around, odds are you will find something within your price range that is both fun and relaxing. You may want to look up hotels and airfare on websites like Priceline
, Orbitz, Expedia, and Hotels.com. You may find a package that is perfect for your family.

What to Eat

Often times, the expense that adds up the quickest on vacation is going out to eat every night. Finding a hotel room with a full kitchen isn’t easy, but there are some ways to save on food that will greatly decrease your expenses. First, try and find a hotel that has complimentary breakfast. Tripadviser will usually have advice on this once you have determined where you are traveling to. If you find a hotel that include breakfast, that is already one meal out of the way!

For lunch and dinner, there are a few other possibilities. If you order big portions at dinner, bring back the leftovers and eat them for lunch the next day. Then the cost of dinner really becomes the cost for dinner and lunch: 2 for the price of 1. If your budget is very tight, then you probably want to stay away from ordering too many appetizers, or possibly split desert instead of everyone getting their own. Another trick, if you like really nice restaurants, is to eat at the expensive restaurants at lunch. Lunch menus tend to be cheaper and you can get the same delicious food. Then for dinner, go someplace inexpensive. You can find a good sandwich shop, pizzeria or burger joint. You’ll get the best of both worlds and likely end up spending less money.

How to Entertain Yourself

There are many ways to find entertainment for less while vacationing. If you want to see a show, locate a half-price ticket counter. They exist in virtually every city and offer many popular forms of entertainment for discount rates. You should also take advantage of what your vacation destination has to offer. If it is beachfront, go spend a day or two relaxing at the shore. If you are in a big city, go visit the sights with the family. My theory is no vacation can go wrong if you have a good book with you. Catch up on the reading you’ve always wanted to do in a pleasant atmosphere. Ultimately, make sure you have fun and relax. That’s what a vacation is all about!

How do you minimize expenses while maximing enjoyment on vacation?  What are your most economical vacation tips?

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