How to Vacation on the Cheap

I hate to be thought of as the queen of cheap, but when it comes to vacation planning, that is my name! If you are looking for a cheap way to plan an unforgettable vacation, you came to the right place.

If you have air miles sitting around, do not be afraid to use them. Many airlines offer special deals where you can use a small amount of air miles towards a discount off of your ticket. It's 32 outside and rainy, and now is the perfect time for that tropics vacation. Use a vacation day on Friday and Monday and take a long weekend via discounted airfare. Look for local bed and breakfast and be sure to read over recent surveys on cheaper hotels. It may take some investigation, but if you need a quick, cheap getaway, this is the way to afford it.

Another great way to save on vacation is by camping. Invest $100 into a great waterproof (this is vital) tent, chuck that, a cooler stocked with quick easy food, and whatever necessities you cannot live without into your car and head to a state or national park. No only is camping insanely cheap in state and national parks, but often they offer great facilities and great activities to do while you are there. If you cannot give up your bed for the raw ground, many parks offer cabins that you can rent for a fraction of the price of a local hotel room. Often time they are also equipped with air conditioning if you are traveling in the dead heat of the summer.

Do not be afraid to ask around to friends and family. Many have hunting cabins or time-shares in places you have never been to before and would be willing to rent the space to you at a minimal cost. Return the favor by bringing a souvenir back to them or offering to cook a nice meal for them when you get home. Be hospitable to your surroundings and always clean up afterwards, but this is a great way to travel on the cheap.

The best advice that I can offer you is to investigate and be creative. If you own a station wagon, put down the backseat and campout in the back of a Wal-Mart parking lot near the beach. Borrow your parents' truck and put a mattress in the back and look up at the stars while parked in the woods overnight. There are so many unique and beautiful places surrounding us that can be cheap and some of the best adventures of our lives. Take a leap and enjoy the world around you.