Who Else wants a Cheap Vacation ?

You’re probably ready to load up the family, take some time off work and have a relaxing holiday, aren’t you?

Well, with the economy in the pits today, a cheap vacation might be just the answer to your pocketbook. Here are a few affordable travel tips to help you save some money.

“Who can afford a vacation these days?”, you might ask … when we think vacation, we think of an expensive, budget busting proposition. If you’re looking for a truly cheap vacation, we’ve got some good news for you!

There’s a fast growing trend among would be vacationers to find the cheapest vacation that still satisfies the urge for a getaway from the rat race. There are two such possibilities I’ve run across which you might want to consider.

Work your way to a cheap vacation holiday

First, there’s the ‘house-sitting’ vacation. There are websites galore which list properties for which the owners need a house sitter, usually for security purposes.

 The owner may be going on vacation and needs a responsible party to occupy their home while they’re gone. In addition to not leaving the home empty and vulnerable to thieves, they may also want someone to care for a pet or water the garden.

Here’s how this deal works: in exchange for occupying the home and performing a few tasks such as those described, you are provided with both room and board, free of charge!

The contents of the frig and freezer are at your disposal and sometimes, you are provided with an arrangement whereby you can charge any additional groceries you might need at a local supermarket.

Often, these homes are among the pricier ones in the area, with a lot of square footage and amenities such as hot tubs, Jacuzzis and pools. Now this definitely qualifies as a cheap vacation!

These ‘house-sitting’ opportunities are available in every region of the U.S., as well as overseas. This means your only expenses are getting there, availing yourself of the sights – museums, concerts, tours and the like – and dining out, if you wish.

For a really cheap vacation, find a house-sitting job in your area, one you can reach by car in just a few hours. If you live in California, you might want to see what’s available in Lake Tahoe. In Vermont, how about Lake Placid?

House-sitting jobs are usually posted well in advance, which makes it fairly easy to coordinate your vacation time from work. To my way of thinking, this has got to be the ultimate luxury, but cheap vacation.

Affordable vacations are easy if you don’t go anywhere!

The second trend in the cheap vacation market is – are you ready for this – the stay-at-home vacation. Couples really enjoy this one. If you’ve got kids, you can either hire a babysitter to watch them – at their home – or recruit family members.

Before your vacation starts, go shopping for all the food you’ll need. Make some do-ahead gourmet meals, get a couple of bottles of fine wine or champagne and line up your favorite movies to download and watch, as you kick back with whatever snacks and special treats suit you.

Buy candles, bubble bath and other such romantic accessories. Treat yourself to an evening out at one of the nicest restaurants. This can be a week-long, very cheap vacation package.

With the economy in the toilet, it’s time to put a glass half full attitude to work. You have to admit that these can easily be a great vacation or affordable holiday, with the right companion!

Now that you know, have a great time on your cheap vacation!

Bob Pardue, Travel Stock Photographer, parduephotos.com