Gotta Get Away!

Deadlines. Schedules. Activities. Finances. Meetings. Do these sound like a few things that permeate your world on a weekly or even daily basis? Sometimes you just gotta get away and take a vacation! A few days off to decompress, relax and do things that aren't tied to a schedule can do wonders for one's psyche. Times are hard and budgets are limited so trying to vacation on limited funds can be challenging.

One very important ways to maximize your traveling bucks is to be flexible. Most people leave on vacations during the weekend but did you know that you can save some money by leaving during the week instead? Yep! You can easily save some serious cash on airline tickets if you adjust your departure date. Another thing that can help with saving is to plan your trip for the off-season. That can give a substantial savings on hotel rooms and car rentals. Do some research on various destinations. For example, if you have your heart set on a beach vacation, compare prices. You could save a lot by being flexible and choosing Puerto Escondido over Cancun or Puerto Vallarta. And I don't know about you but I have ALWAYS enjoyed traveling with my family and friends. Why not get together and split a rental house on the beach or a cabin near a lake? Taking family and/or friends along will not only defray the cost of lodging but some great memories you can be made together! Nothing like quality time with those nearest and dearest to you. Camping at a national park can be a wonderful budget-friendly experience. There are countless outdoors activities to take part in such as hiking, canoeing and swimming.

Ya know, you can also use your vacation time as an opportunity to volunteer. Giving back can be very rewarding. WWW.globalvolunteers.org arranges volunteer vacations for individuals, couples and families. During your vacation, you will live with locals and work on various community development projects. It's very rewarding and benefits a community of people. WWW.americanhiking.org also has volunteer vacations where trails across the country are maintained, created or improved. It's a good way to get out in nature and enjoy some fresh air!

There ya have it - a few ideas to get you started on your summer vacation ideas! Until next time, keep it clean!