Less money, more fun on vacations

The word vacation brings up feelings of excitement and fear. Beaches? YES! Beach-bar prices? NO! As the summer's coming to a very chilly end, here are some ideas and quirky advice to stretch your end-of-summer and fall vacationing buck:

- My girlfriends and I take a trip every Labor Day. The last two years, we've flown to a destination (image above is our infamous NYC trip two years ago). This year, we decided to go recession-chic and opted to vacation in a quaint Michigan town. For two nights, our grand total is $59 a girl and we're buying groceries instead of eating out. Forget popular destinations. Think outside of the box and you can find great deals in cities with amazing charm. If you still want to hit up a well-known destination, see if it's cheaper to stay at a hotel near the destination, not in it.

- I don't like bugs, bugs or bugs, but I do love bonfires, smores and grilling out. Instead of staying in a hotel, enjoy Mother Nature and camp on your trip. You'll save loads of cash ... but bring some bug spray. And close your tent so the spiders don't crawl in. Eek!

- Do your friends or family live in different parts of the country? Take advantage! Some of my best vacations have been visiting friends across the nation. It's nice to see a friendly face ... and to room for free. Bring your best houseguest behavior!

- Results from a recent Best Buy poll show one in five of surveyed adults own a smartphone. Make sure one of those smartphone owners are with you so you have access to Google maps (lifesaver!) and other sites to find activities and deals in your vacationing area. Then, carefully tuck cell phones away and vacation like it's 1989. No cell phones allowed.

-Pink slips didn't scare these women. While I do admire their fearlessness post-layoff, I don't agree with their budgeting. Taking a lavish vacation is a no-no when you have no funds coming into your checking account ... or your savings. Take note of their confidence but instead of heading overseas, go on a themed road trip (only stop in cities that start with the letter M!) or to a state park. Beauty at a budgeted price.

Do you have Labor Day plans? I can't wait for my girls' (recession-chic) getaway!
xoxo,
Lisa Marie

Comments

[Pattie]

My friend and I went on a road trip a few weeks ago. We stayed with friends and friends of friends and parents of friends as well as camping along the way. We blogged about it too, doing the bidding of our followers for cash. It was totally the best trip ever, even if I didn't have enough cash to buy souvenirs.

[Laid-off Lisa Marie]

Hi Pattie!

That's great! I think our trip will be the best ever, too. I'm hoping to leave without spending my life savings, unlike our trip to N.Y. two years ago! Have a great Labor Day!

xo,
Lisa Marie