There is no reason to spend $1,000 on a vacation if doing so means eating rice for the next month. Though sometimes there's nothing better than being pampered at a five-star resort, there are just as many times when something less expensive can be equally rewarding.
Call up that dear friend of yours who lives in Miami Beach. One of the largest expenses of any vacation is lodging. One way to avoid this is through house-swapping. If you have a friend or acquaintance you trust who lives somewhere you would like to visit, propose swapping houses for a week or two.
Do not stay home because you have no friends. Use an agency if you don't know someone with a suitable home. Agencies such as Intervac specialize in international house swaps. If you live in Denver and want to spend some time in Madrid, this is possible. Members are screened thoroughly to ensure a safe exchange.
Pack up your gear and head for the hills! A camping vacation is a great way to save money. Gone are the costs of expensive meals and lodging. Every state offers opportunities for camping, so it is unlikely you will have to travel far if you don't want to.
Choose the method that's best for you. Though winter camping in Minnesota may not appeal to you, heated bungalows or cabins may be a suitable and cheap alternative that will keep you warm. During the other seasons, a tent and warm sleeping bag will suffice. A cot will keep you off the ground if necessary. Cooking breakfast over an open fire with hot coffee and a river running by in the background can be a refreshing change of pace.
Want a really cheap vacation? Stay home. If your wallet is thinner than a piece of paper, you have no business putting yourself in further financial pain. Don't bother with the hassle of driving six hours each way for a weekend vacation when you can relax just as much, if not more, at home.
Unplug everything and pretend the world isn't there. Turn off your cellphone and computer and avoid everything else that might mean interaction with unwanted visitors. Treat yourself to the things you love most: a hot bath, a six-pack of Anchor Steam, sleeping in for a change, or watching horror movies until you're too creeped out to watch more.
