Regardless of your financial situation, there is no reason to sacrifice on your vacation.

A vacation, by definition, is "leisure time away from work." A vacation does not have to be expensive and does not require leaving the country. Recently, I had a conversation with one of our clients who told me that their annual trip to Florida was being cancelled due to a tighter budget. I asked her what their plans were and they told me that they planned to visit a National Park and go hiking with their two teenage sons. About 3 weeks later, I spoke to the client again and she told me that it was the best vacation they had ever had. Not only was the change of scenery beautiful, but the time they spent together reinforced their strong family bond. They explained to me that in Florida, their kids would usually leave and spend more time with their friends. As the years went by, their Florida trips meant less time with each other. In the mountains, they had no choice but to spend time with one another without the distractions of television, the internet, or work. For this reason, I did some research on ways to save on your getaways and was intrigued by some facts and pointers.

Did you know that most people travel on weekends? 

Shifting your plans to travel on a weekday will save you money on car rentals, flights and hotels. Travel within the United States instead of outside of the country. Flights to and from major airports can be very inexpensive. Research the rates of carriers like Jetblue and Spirit Airlines. Check the rates on multiple websites. When you find the best airfare, go directly to the carrier's website and see if you can get it cheaper. Travel with friends and family. Traveling in groups helps lower the cost of hotels, fuel, and food.

Want to enrich your life?

Consider volunteer vacations. GlobalVolunteers.org has a volunteer service program for thousands of couples, families, groups, and individuals. It is a great way to get away, get involved and get tremendous satisfaction from your vacation. When you're vacationing, consider packing a small cooler with sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Buy fresh fruits, meats, and breads from local markets. All you need is ice and a cooler to keep your food fresh. Limit eating out to what your vacation budget can support.

Did you know that your Aunt in Wisconsin would love to see you?

Consider visiting friends and family to save on lodging costs. Bond with family members and contribute with groceries and a night out to dinner. Even if you can't travel anywhere, your city or town has more to offer than you think. It's all about being creative and trying out new experiences.