| If you look at a recent graph of the stock | | | | Taking a vacation is the next area where I pride |
| market it is difficult not to think about a roller | | | | myself on saving a buck or two. Generally |
| coaster. Every day someone I know is either on | | | | speaking I try and go 'somewhere' every few |
| the verge of losing their job or knows somebody | | | | weeks. Many times we end up staying near |
| who was laid off. Simply put, these times are | | | | home, but at least we are out of the house. I am |
| stressful. I think my brother put it best, | | | | personally a big fan of camping. I think every |
| "Everyday I wake up and worry about how I am | | | | family should go out camping a few times a year. |
| going to take care of my family." | | | | One site I rely on for tips on great camping spots |
| After thinking about the current economic | | | | is The site has a ton of resources on finding and |
| dilemma for a few days, I came to a conclusion: | | | | booking the best campgrounds around the |
| If we are going to have to tighten our belts, we | | | | country. |
| may as well blow off some steam doing it. During | | | | If you are looking for a more pampered vacation |
| the most stressful financial times it is important to | | | | or just don't feel like breaking out the tent then I |
| remember that there are so many deals available | | | | have a few tips for you as well. Generally when I |
| from companies trying to drum up business. | | | | make the decision to reward myself with a real |
| Frankly, we would be foolish not to take | | | | getaway I try as hard as I can not to break the |
| advantage of them. | | | | bank in the process. While it may sound generic, |
| Let's start with food. There is nothing like a good | | | | has some great deals on the Orbitz Deal Page. |
| meal to help us relax. There are a number of | | | | They do a great job of pulling together some |
| restaurants out there trying to push a new dish | | | | interesting cost effective trips. I must confess, |
| or get people through the door. As we all know, | | | | my family also owns timeshare. In the long run |
| the internet tends to bring information to the | | | | we feel like it ends up saving us money because |
| masses. One site I have found helpful looking for | | | | we travel so much. There are quite a few sites |
| great deals on restaurants was a blog called | | | | on the web that offer Cheap Vacations in return |
| Money Saving Mom. The author, Crystal Paine, is | | | | for attending a resort presentation for timeshare. |
| a mother of two that knows a thing or two | | | | Many times these deals include extras such as |
| about stretching a dollar when it comes to going | | | | free rounds of golf, dinner for two or even |
| out to dinner with the family. | | | | theme park tickets. |
| Getting places is another area that we could all | | | | As a self professed roller coaster junkie I can't |
| use some savings advice. As a part time global | | | | leave out great deals on theme parks. If you are |
| warming preacher myself, I always recommend | | | | looking for great ticket deals on major parks, |
| using Google Transit to navigate public | | | | check out the recent article on theme park deals |
| transportation and make the most of your | | | | and discounts . The author tells you all sorts of |
| day-to-day traveling budget. If you do drive a car | | | | tips and trick for scoring great deals to the top |
| then you may have noticed the dropping price of | | | | parks. |
| gas. The one problem with price drops is that | | | | With all these great channels to blow off steam |
| some locations tend to have stickier prices than | | | | without blowing your wallet, make sure you take |
| others. To make the most out of your gas | | | | some time to smile. Life is too long and these |
| budget I always tell people to check out to find | | | | times will eventually pass. Make sure you get your |
| the stations near you with the absolute best | | | | proper dose of rest and relaxation. |
| prices. | | | | |