Poors-tell me about your fun and low budget summer vacations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's what we do: staycation but hire a nanny for part of the week. That way DH also get time to ourselves while the nanny takes the kids to fun events. Best thing ever!!

Yes, because trying to be fugal and vacation while poor includes hiring a nanny.

I'm a world traveler on google earth.

[Anonymous]

As a child, we either visited our grandparents (who lavished love and attention and food on us) or visited a small beach town and stayed in a low budget motel. We stayed (5 in family) in an efficency motel with kitchen and did not go out for any meals.

We scrimped and saved all year and would have a little spending money for the arcades and rides and maybe a treat one night, like ice cream cones. Spent the entire day at the (free) beach and the motel pool. Heavenly and some of my happiest memories.

[Anonymous]

We are a big family so we avoid flying places. This summer we did a Baltimore inner harbor trip and it was a ton of fun. Stayed at a reasonably priced hotel with kitchen. Science museum was free (reciprocity to our local museum). Boat tour wasn't too $$ as I recall. We splurged on the National Aquarium which was well worth it. Fun memories and not much $. I do enjoy reading about the $$$ trips that others here take so we can plan for the future though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last minute air and hotel packages can be cheap. So can cruises.

Can you tell me what sites to look for these deals?

Yes, I'm interested in knowing too. Never did figure that out. Thanx.

I am convinced these are myths. If you know otherwise, do please tell.

Virgin Vacations/Virgin Air has cheap air and hotel packages to London and elsewhere in Europe. Lots of deals in the fall.

Last minute cruises can be found online rather easily.

Most airlines have air and hotel package deals that are quite affordable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've reported the title.
Not cute, funny or okay OP. But you knew that already.

Does it offend you? Does it remind you that you never accomplished much in life?

[Anonymous]

So, if you can find cheap flights, I find Vegas to be a super cheap destination. You can get decent rooms midweek. For example, even with the mandatory resort fee, I've stayed at average (clean rooms that don't smell too smoky) places like Treasure Island for $60/night. They all have nice pools and it isn't as party scene midweek. You can take kids to places like circus circus for the mini amusement park (ignore the parking garage which might possibly be the dirtiest place in North America). There is TONS of cheap eating at all kinds of restaurants and so many of the casinos have interesting art installations and things to do and see.

[Anonymous]

Camping does not = poor. I know plenty of people who get fancy tents and cookware to make their stay comfortable.
If you want to save money, stay in a motel located a bit outside of the target city/town, instead of hotel or even simple cabins without electricity/water at campgrounds could save you money.
Other ways to save money is watch how you eat.

[Anonymous]

Driving to Fl would save money and you can always find super cheap hotels. Swim at the pool.

Or, find a super cheap hotel somewhere locally and spend the night and use the pool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you want to take a nice vacation, then research one, make a budget, and save for it.

Cut corners wherever you can and sock away money for travel. That's what we do.

Friends and family regularly comment that "it must be nice to travel" since my family takes trips regularly. We aren't rich, so we proactively save so we can travel. That means we will skip going on date night or minimize restaurant meals...and instead throw whatever we might have spent on that into the vacation jar.

We know lots of people who pay a small fortune to go to OC or Bethany for a week. You could go to Florida, Mexico or a cruise for the same amount.

I know two families that essentially stopped doing Christmas gifts once their kids hit 7th grade and instead travel to Europe or the Caribbean for Christmas and New Years.

I know lots of couples who stopped exchanging gifts with each other for birthdays and holidays and instead put that money towards the vacation fund.

If you want to travel, there are ways to save up to do it.

I had to laugh at this as a "Poor" who knows lots of other poors. We haven't exchanged gifts with each other since before kids. No room in the budget because we had to buy gifts for the kids