{budget}fab*

rethinking vacation

Posted on 10. Mar, 2009 by janelle in penny pinchin'

Like so many people, I’ve had to rethink taking a vacation.  Our current economic times either make it near impossible to spend money on something like a trip, or if you do have some money set aside for something like vacation you’re questioning whether or not to use it or save it.  Well, being in a recession doesn’t mean we need a break any less - if anything we need it more!  

Here’s my vacation story…  A friend and I decided last fall we wanted to go to Puerto Rico this spring - go all out.  In January, with all the news about the economy we decided to scale back and go to Miami. As news of the economy became more bleak, we felt that while we wanted to do something relaxing, the right thing for us would be to scale down on the trip quite a bit and save the difference.  Even if airline prices are being slashed…  So, instead of traveling far, we’re going to spend a weekend around here - going to spa and a really nice dinner one day and day trip to the beach, old movies and a bottle of wine another day.  Here are the numbers… 

Puerto Rico: $300 plane ticket + $335 hotel + $400 spending money = $1,035 each

Miami: $200 plane ticket + $222 hotel + $200 spending money = $652 each

Local Girl’s Weekend: $30 gas+ $185 spa package + $50 nice dinner + $60 day trip + $15 wine + $0 old movies = $340 each 

That means we pinched 69,500 pennies (or $695) by scaling down from our original plan!

So, if you’re in a financial position to do SOMETHING, but don’t want to go all out, get creative - there’s lots of fun options that don’t cost a fortune.

Do you have vacation plans this year?  Have you adjusted your plans at all based on what’s been going on?

Tags: budget friendly travel alternatives, girls weekend, miami, puerto rico, spa, vacation