Living Frugal and saving on Vacation

by Patricia
(Northern California)

I have been living frugal and saving on vacation for a number of years. It began due to necessity and it became just a way of life. I love saving a buck.

I have been a semi-retired teacher for 3 years.

I love to vacation and I have friends who do also. For the last 5 years two friends and I have gone together to Hawaii, Canada, Oregon and Washington and split the cost of lodging,rental cars (when we didn't drive our own) and gas.

We always book a place that has a kitchenette or at least a microwave and refrig so we can make several meals in. When we eat out, we make it lunch which is always cheaper than dinner.

We have also stayed at hostels which are not just for kids. Not being youth, we do book a private room though which in a hostel is very reasonable. Bath down the hall doesn't bother us.

We have found free concerts, inexpensive plays, and we love to find consignment stores which every town seems to have. As we are seniors, museums and many other places offer senior discounts.

If possible, we take our bikes and tootle around parks for exercise and to better see the sights. These are just a few inexpensive get-away ideas that I hope others can use.