Research your home turf to find an inn or B&B that appeals to you. Look at what's available within a 20-mile radius -- pay close attention to comfort, style and serenity but stay within your budget. If you live in an inexpensive area, finding an inn that offers a room for less than $100 may be difficult. In that case, plan on driving a bit further until you're in an area with less expensive accommodations. For example, in Connecticut, getting a bit off the beaten path may reveal treasures tucked away in towns like Stonington, near Mystic. One night at an inn in Stonington can run over $200 a night, but there are many exceptions. If you bring another person with you, the cost is obviously cut in two.
Book in winter. Vacation in the winter to find more deals on hotels and B&Bs. Remember: commonly, prices drop for accommodation in the off-season. If you have your heart set on an autumn vacation and must stick within your $100 budget, call the inn you are interested in and ask if they offer coupons or discounts or are willing to negotiate the price of a room for you.In lean times, it's a buyer's market so you may very well luck out. Just try not to anger the innkeeper at the outset by suggesting too low of a price for a room.
Consider the bus or train instead of your car. Look into rates with Greyhound and Amtrak. If it's less expensive than what you'd put into your car, go that route. Chances are, you'd still have to switch to a taxi within the town you're visiting so the cost may be a wash. Just write it all down on paper. If you do go with your own car, go online and key in "Cheap Gas Des Moines", for example. These days, locals are blogging about where to find the least expensive fuel in their neighborhoods. You could save as much as $20 just by doing a little research.
Leave early Saturday morning. Yes, this sounds as if you'd miss part of your weekend but that's not true. On Friday night, if you work, you're exhausted anyway and you'll enjoy just kicking back and having the trip to look forward to. This also cuts down considerably on the cost of your weekend - for obvious reasons. It's one less night to pay for a hotel and less time eating out of the house.
Bring snacks with you. If you only have to pay for your room and one meal out - your Saturday night dinner - it's possible to keep to your $100 budget. Bring nuts, fruit, packaged cheese and lots of bottled water. If the inn you'll be staying at includes breakfast with the cost, great, but if not, bring some fresh muffins from the local grocery store. If you buy them as you're heading out of town they'll still be fresh for Sunday morning's breakfast.
Print maps at home. If you don't have to buy a $5.95 map at the local gas and convenience store, you've already saved and are keeping to your budget. You can also program the route on your GPS, if you have one of these devices. Even with a GPS it's a good idea to have your directions handwritten at least on a slip of paper. Put that in the seat beside you if you are alone.
Travel when traffic is light. Try to leave around 6a.m. Saturday morning to take advantage of light traffic on the roads.
Bring your own entertainment. Make sure you've brought your iPod and charger, your camera loaded with fresh batteries and journals, drawing pads and pencils and books. All of this will save you money and encourage your imagination while you're "away." You may be no more than 10 minutes from home, or perhaps you're two hours away. Wherever you are, the sheer act of getting out of the house and sleeping in a new bed will calm your nerves, inspire your creativity, and who knows, maybe even refresh the romance with your partner.
