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Can't Afford a Family Vacation?
Think Again!
By Catherine K. Enders Carlton
Meyers says sharing vacation is a good way to cut costs, whether you share a condo or do a home exchange. A shared vacation is to "share expenses, work, babysitting and fun," she says.
Kurt Kutay of Wildland Adventures in Seattle, Wash., advises travelers to be wary of certain types of vacations. Cheap trips, especially in terms of foreign travel or remote area travel, can be "uncomfortable, superficial, difficult and in many cases, dangerous," he says. He says his company, which offers international outdoor excursions, operates under the philosophy: "The bitterness of a low-quality trip remains long after the sweetness of low cost is forgotten."
If another vacation is not in the budget, Meyers suggests planning fun things to do around home, such as camping in the backyard, having a barbeque or exploring the tourist sights in your neighborhood. "I find most people haven't been to their own area's famous attractions!" she says.
Melissa Graziose, a single-mom with three kids ages 5, 8 and 10, says she is always looking for ways to save money, especially on vacation. Because full-week vacations are costly, she looks for fun weekend excursions.
Last summer they traveled from their home in Sparta, Va., to Baltimore, Md., to visit the zoo and aquarium. She found a special hotel deal and packed a cooler with sodas and sandwiches to cut costs. "The aquarium was wonderful. The kids loved it, [and it was] not very expensive," she says. "There are savings to be had. You just have to look for them."