Survey: How will you/did you save $ on vacation this year?

[Fern]

In the spring we were in South Carolina for a week, and stayed at BF's parents' summer home. In August we go kayaking in Adirondacks for 4 days. One more week in the fall, destination not sure!

[cicy33]

We just got back from Pigeon Forge and we used coupons to eat out, play golf, and we brought some of our own food to cook at the cabin. Made the kids eat at the cabin for breakfast, would eat out usually only 1 meal a day. Once we did take KFC back in the evening for dinner. still cheaper than eating out! We spent approx $2500 total and spent 5 nights in a cabin, took four kids, went to splash country, gifts for everyone, the cost includes the food I bought to take with us and the fuel to get there and back. Had a blast and recommend it to anyone!

[PrincessPerky]

We only 'vacation' to see family (so far) and we always pack food, also stay with said family or dirve back early so we don't have a hotel. This month we will have our first 'camping' experience, we might have more trouble with food since we can't use MILs stove or anything, but we should be able to manage. I am getting good at no cook food.

[cicy33]

You can usually buy those small cookstoves pretty cheap at wal-mart. make sure that you have a 5 or 10 day cooler. They keep stuff cold lots longer and makes the ice last longer. Can you tell we camp?

[PrincessPerky]

This trip is only for one day to test the kids sleeping, but thanks, we will be doing it longer as they get used to it .

[cicy33]

Actually you will find that kids can adapt to most situations. Mine tend to sleep on the floor at home more than in their beds. I have no clue why!

[akaivyleaf]

NY was a budget buster for me. I had a great inexpensive flight, which proved to be even more lucrative when my return flight was so impaired, the airline felt it necessary to give me a free ticket anywhere in the 50 (which is a big deal) States to soothe this inconvenienced and pesky customer. (A testament to the fine art of complaining). What made the trip so expensive was the massive hotel costs and eating out for every meal.

I really haven't had another vacation this year, I don't count little weekend trips where I drive. I am going on a weekend cruise though, so I guess I'l have to count that as a vacation.

[jaksilee]

Dbf and I will be camping, a first for him and the millionth for me! I have all the stuff, so all we have to pay for is the gas, food & state park sticker and campsite fees. That is how we are getting our weeks relaxation for very little!

[marglo]

Since we are older and retired, our "vacationing" is probably a little different than most of you. We don't call it vacation anymore...just trips or traveling. :-) My dh can't take the cold rainy weather up here in the NW, so we go south in our 5th wheel. We belong to some RV organizations but they were paid for a long time ago, so we feel like we are parking for free now....we may have to pay $1 a night for electric but not always. About the highest we ever pay once we down south is $8 a night occasionaly. On the way down we may pay as high as $18-20 but that's only for a night or two going down and coming back up. We also stay at military fam camps now and then and they are usually about $12-13 a night. We basically live on the road just like we do at home...cooking most of our own meals. If we are in a new area we check out a few sights and so may spend a little on entertanment but mostly we do the cheap or free stuff. When we are not rving, we use our timeshare condos (again, purchased a long time ago) and we try to use frequent flyer miles if flying or we drive. In the condos we save money by cooking most meals. If we eat out it is usually lunch and maybe one nice dinner.

[dealsaver]

The best vacations are those you get for free or subsudized by inviting grandparents.