Monday, July 16, 2007

Summer is filled with parties, birthdays, holidays and vacations - do you have any frugal gift and vacation ideas?

I live on the Central Coast of California. It is a destination spot for visitors from all over the world. But for some reason when it came time to take some time off, I would always head for parts unknown. We would drive to Tahoe, or Monterey, or head for San Diego. We would spend 6 hours on the road, a couple hours getting settled and then off we would go to be a tourist. Off course some of the spots were so unique that the time seemed well worth it, such as Yosemite or the American River.

The down side was I always seemed to be more tired when I got back then when I left and this seemed to defeat the whole purpose.

Then one year we said heck with this, we booked a hotel 20 miles up the road, right on the beach. The money I saved on gas allowed me to get a very nice room overlooking the ocean. Within an hour of leaving our house we were on a balcony, sipping drinks and relaxing. By eliminating the travel I gained almost a full day of relaxation and I took up kayak surfing for some fun in the sun. When I got home at the end of the weekend, I really felt relaxed. I had gotten away, but the getting away wasn't more work then fun.

We now are able to do this every 6 weeks or so, versus once every 6 months. Since it is so easy we can combine going to the movies, or theater, or a club. Since we do it regularly we know where all the hidden non tourist spots are and we know exactly which restaurants are the best.

So if you are looking for a way to take a break from work, I say find those gems in your own back yard; a little bed and breakfast or hotel that is close with all the amenities, splurge, don't drive. You can even say you are helping save the environment by staying close to home.