Rent a small house in the outer banks (try kitty hawk, nags head, etc.) Ive seen them on VRBO IN SEASON for $1600/week. Nothing fancy, but at least beds, plumbing, AC.

Anonymous wrote:I also find the title offensive and will be withholding my advice until it is changed.

OP replied. Some of you are really, really sensitive.

^^ want to add another great idea is to visit friends and family if they are willing to host and you actually enjoy spending time with them. At least 2 of our trips each year are to visit friends/family.

bid for rooms on priceline. Only go away for a 1-2 nights. Save money by bringing breakfast and lunch food with you and then go out to dinner. For example, protein bars or muffins and bananas for breakfast, sandwich stuff for lunch. Bring your alcohol with you or stop at nearby liquor store to avoid the high cost at hotels.

Put all purchases on points/miles earning credit cards (but only if you can pay them off each month)

Staycation at a nice hotel with a pool over the summer - for example the Omni Shoreham near the zoo has a wonderful pool and feels like a resort. August rates are regularly around $120-$150.

These are all things that we do on a $200k HHI. Always good to be smart with your money.

Mountain cabin trips are relaxing and affordable during summer.

Travel in the off-season. That really makes a huge difference in hotel prices.

Look for cheap Airbnb's

We would road trip across the east coast in our station wagon and stay with family. Once we went to Disney world.

Going to the Jersey Shore pre- and post- season. Or Delaware too one supposes. Have the boardwalk and rides to yourselves and rent a condo for a long weekend or week super cheap.

Anonymous wrote:Good title. People should chill.

State parks/lodges
Extended fam visits ... "farms"
Baltimore
Staycation with "big" surprises every day... don't give away you're on vacation too! (zoo/library; park/air and space; puppet show/swimming). It's great.

We paired two nights in Lancaster (Dutch wonderland) with a staycation the rest of the week last summer, and it was great!

We ate out more than normal, went to the pool, the Baltimore aquarium, made ice cream and popsicles, said yes to the kids a lot, watched movies, and relaxed.

Cabin rental with ac and full kitchen in a beautiful park. Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing and no screen time. Most relaxing way to vaca.

I also find the title offensive and will be withholding my advice until it is changed.

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

I think OP has 3 kids-that kills any cruise or airfare deal unfortunately. (Can you stay in one room on a cruise ship with 3 kids?)

If you can't afford a decent vacation, staycation.

Anything else isn't worth the trouble.

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