Summer 2005
Eight years ago, when our five children were under the age of 10, we went on a camping adventure for our summer vacation. We loaded up 14 suitcases, eight pacifiers, five bikes, three cases of diapers and a double-pack of Excedrin for migraines. We camped for seven days and seven nights - in the rain. We kept a careful eye out for bears and other varmints while corralling a plethora of stir-crazy kids.
Today, everyone remembers that camping trip as one of our best-ever family vacations.
But a dream vacation can be very pricey these days, so how do you make a family memory without piling up loads of debt? Here are a few ideas to help you enjoy a guilt-free vacation on a budget. (Just pray it won't rain!)
Share Your Time
Most timeshare owners pay an average of $250 for the week they stay at the facility - an attractive price for a week's fun. But if you still can't afford it, consider sharing space with a friend or family member's timeshare. Perhaps there is a family in your military unit, church or community who is willing to split the fee and share the space.
If you are able to say "no" to a sales pitch, you may want to take advantage of a timeshare presentation. Steve and Debby May attended such a pitch offered in Las Vegas, a four-hour drive from their home. The Mays stayed at a posh resort hotel for only $50 per night and were given $100 in chips. They spent two hours on the timeshare presentation - and declined the purchase.
Double Up
If you have friends that you like a lot and think your friendship can survive the test of a family vacation, then double up with that family and cut your bills in half. Many different kinds of rentals are available at FindRental.com. Suite hotels that offer extra rooms also are an option; check Orbitz.com or CheapHotels.com.
For those who love the great outdoors, consider sharing the cost of campsite fees or RV rentals. At RVRental.com, we found rentals across the country that ranged from $117 per day to $385 per day. Depending on the RV owner, other charges to consider include hospitality kits, kitchen kits and emergency road kits. Cleaning fees will apply if the RV is not returned in its previous condition.
Home Swaps
Swapping homes is not a new idea, but it is gaining popularity due to e-mail and an ever-increasing number of web-based exchange services such as HomeLink.org and HomeExchange.com. Most of these services charge $30 to $110 per year. If the listed date for a specific location isn't within your desired time frame, you can e-mail the swapper and ask if he or she could be more flexible.
Is it safe to entrust your home to someone else? Home swappers and exchange services report remarkably few problems. According to Dan Akst, a writer for MSN Money, "Home exchangers tend to be prosperous, mature, well-educated professionals - not the types most likely to trash your home."
Vacation Via Volunteering
When Mac and Dina Thompson retired from the Air Force and decided to go to law school, they found their vacation budget drastically reduced. They opted to go back to a family campground they had visited years earlier, but this time as staff for a week. While their workload was increased, they still had plenty of family time. Instead of paying $1,500 for the week, they enjoyed a working vacation for free. Not all campgrounds offer this kind of tradeoff, but it may be worth it to contact a local retreat center or campground. Check the American Camping Association website.
Another option is Wilderness Volunteers, a non-profit organization which offers people of any age a chance to help maintain national parks, forests and wilderness areas across the United States. Everything from trail maintenance to revegetation projects are on the agenda. Participants provide their own camping gear and share campsite chores. Most Wilderness Volunteer trips last about a week and cost about $219.
No matter your vacation budget, it is important to take time off from the real world to enjoy a meaningful time with your family. In years to come, you and your kids won't remember the price of the condo or quality of the room service. But the memories of life-enriching experiences with the people they love will last a lifetime - and those are priceless.
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Ellie Kay is a best-selling author, national radio commentator and regular TV guest, as well as a motivational speaker at military events. Her newest books are "Debt Diet" (Bethany House Publishers, 2005) and "Kisses of Sunshine for Moms" (Zondervan, 2005). She is the wife of a fighter pilot and mother of seven children. For information on how to host Ellie at your military base, go to EllieKay.com.