Score Your Vacation On a Budget. How To Find A Deal & Keep It Real!

If I learned anything this year, it is that time is shorter than we think.  We really don't know how much time we have with those we love.  Yes, that is a sad thought and honestly it comes from a sad place.  My only brother Wayne died back in January at 42 years old.  As sad as that is, and trust me that is very sad, I do have wonderful memories vacationing together with our families at Disney World & Universal and fun times at the beach.  Those memories are more important now then I ever thought they would be. 

If you have always wanted to take a trip somewhere, with friends and family, find a way to do it.  Don't just put it off.  I am not saying go charge up your credit cards.  This is where it gets fun.  Find out how to do what you want within your means.  I mean if you plan that you need $2000 for vacation and you have a zero dollar vacation fund, you have a few choices.  Save $200 a month for 10 months and plan your trip or find ways to raise some funds.  Who knows, if you budget your money well and start using coupons, you just might save enough to vacation often.  My vacations are possible because of savings on groceries and other necessities.  Go through all the junk in the basement and the garage.  Sell it at a garage sale, yard sale, on Craigslist or ebay and use that to create your vacation fund.  If nothing else start small, take the proceeds from your sale and take a nice weekend trip plus no damage to the credit cards.  :-)  You could also get a part-time job.  The bottom line is you have options. 

To help in your quest, you are going to find the deals.  Here are a few of the top places you can look to score an amazing vacation deal.

If you are not signed up for TravelZoo, hurry and get yourself signed up.  I have used TravelZoo for years and have found weekend getaways and cruise deals like you would not believe.  So hurry and get on this list.  They give you the Top 20 deals and they go fast so be sure to check their email right away.  Besides the Top 20 list, you can also search by destination which I often do when looking for a Kissimmee/Orlando deal.  I love those trips where we don't have to pay for airfare for 5.  Love those short drives. 

I also love Priceline and Hotwire but you have to be a little gutsy for these.  Let me explain.  To score an amazing price on a Priceline hotel for example, you have to locate the area you want to stay, pick the star rating and wing it.  You are not going to know the name of the hotel or resort until after you pay.  Now if you choose a 3 star hotel lets say, that could be great in one area and not so great in Orlando.  So if you are picky and faint of heart, this may not be your first choice.  BUT, if money is tight and you can't go otherwise, don't rule them out.  Just make sure you make an offer half the price of the going sale prices you find and only choose the rating you can live with. If you choose a 1 star hotel, say a little prayer before you go in.  lol

For me, I love 4 star hotels for Orlando.  They have always been more than acceptable for me.  Ok, Yes I am  little spoiled.  It is all those 4 star timeshare deals, what can I say??  A little safer and better for your first try at this, is Hotwire.  Hotwire gives you a little more information.  They don't tell you the name of the hotel, but they tell you if it includes breakfast, if its a resort etc and you can choose the place.  As soon as your reservation is confirmed, they tell you the name of the hotel.  No backing out though.  Once you book, you book.  We have stayed in nice 5 star hotels at 80% off before so certainly something to consider.  One I will never forget is seeing the Peabody ducks at the Peabody Hotel.  We stayed there for pennies on the dollar.  Hotels need to be full.  Might as well fill up the hotel even if they have to offer a deal.  This gives them the opportunity to do that while not having to publicize bottom of the barrel rates.

All in all, I am a big fan of TravelZoo.  You know all the information up front.  You don't have to worry that it is not going to be to your liking.  Plus I find lots of cruise deals and weekend getaways at places I would love to stay at.  So make sure you get on their list.  We have been known to book a cruise for 5 for the price others had paid for 2.  And while you are at it, be a good friend and follow me on facebook so you can share these deals with your friends.  Who knows maybe your next trip will be with the deal you and your friends just found on TravelZoo!



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