Planning Your Summer Vacation On A Budget - Introduction

Ah, the hazy, crazy, lazy days of summer are fast approaching. You have plans. In fact, you have been planning all winter, sometimes since last summer, for the next summer vacation. It has been a beacon of light at the end of a dark tunnel - an escape from the every day. You have been batting several ideas around in your head. You want to go big, wander far, push the holiday boundaries or at least escape from work and your everyday life.

You have formulated several big plans on how to spend the time off from work or school. Far away countries beckon. You want to go to an exotic locale. Perhaps, there is a specific tropical island, a cultural icon, a cosmopolitan center, a theme park or a cottage getaway on your mind. You may be dreaming of a camping trip, a hiking adventure or a backpacking journey across some isolated wilderness or foreign country. You could be planning to spend time at a luxury resort by yourself or with a friend. You could go on a romantic cruise or take off to a fun family spot.

These may be realities. They could be possible. However, life can get in the way of taking the ideal summer vacation. Sometimes you really cannot afford to go on a luxury vacation. You work hard and try to save money for that great summer vacation. You or you and your partner have set aside certain funds for the summer holidays. There has been some scrimping and saving involved. For a while, it looks like you are actually on target. Everything is going as planned. Then problems strike.

There are those sudden expenses. You have a medical emergency and the doctors or dentists want their money now. Your dog or cat has to go to the vet’s. You car needs unforseen repair work. There are unexpected school expenses. The house or apartment requires major renovations or repairs. Suddenly, the money you thought you had for the holidays is gone. It may not seem fair, but these things do happen. Sometimes, you simply do not have the money to go on the vacation of your dreams.

When you have financial problems or are unable to spend the money you had hoped to on your summer trip, do not give up planning your vacation. In fact, you may need a getaway more than ever. What you also need not to ignore is planning. When your money is tight is the very time you must plan with extreme care. You need to find all the means to extract the most fun for every single dollar you have. You need to be creative in finding the ways and means to make your vacation cheaper. You may also have to rethink your own traditional concept of the vacation idea.

The blog posts over the next several weeks are to help you plan a vacation when you have to live on a budget. They will guide you through the process. These pages will aid you in discovering a vacation you can afford and will enjoy. You will also discover how to plan the vacation and how to find ways to defray the costs. The tips and material focus on singles but can be readily applied to couples and families.