Hi Cheri,
I enjoyed your article. If more people would think of things that way, less would be in debt. I've witnessed many families, including my brothers', that struggle and complain year round about finances and making it week to week, only to take a week off and spend $1000's going to the mountains or beach!

I just shake my head and wish them well...
My family is from Upstate South Carolina. We live in the country and have acreage on the Reedy River. Soooo, our vacations' consist of a shady campground on the river bank. Swimming, canoeing, playing horseshoes and volleyball. Then, a short drive to the house at the end of a long day to Our Own Beds! LOL
It can't get any better than that. And it dosen't cost anymore than any other day.
Too bad others can't see what enjoyment they can find right under their nose.

I'll be watching for you next "money saving" post.
Good luck
Angela

Hi, Nan

Hope you'll come back and let us know what you would do while vacationing 'at home'.  Thanks for dropping by!

Cheri

Hi, Max!

Your fair city is one of my favorites, though it isn't an inexpensive place to vacation! Still, there are bargains to be had.  Anyone who is sales-resistant can have a nice 3 or 4 day vacation just by committing to spend half a day (they say ninety minutes, but count on half a day) at a timeshare presentation.  We like to book ours in the morning of the day after we arrive...then we're free to enjoy the rest of the trip.

The offers always include lodging, sometimes downtown, sometimes at one of the less-desirable casino hotels on the strip...we've stayed at CircusCircus three or four times like this, and it's quite comfortable.  The incentives also frequently include tickets to a show (not one of the better ones, but usually entertaining) and coupons for a free meal, usually a buffet. 

We even got round-trip airline tickets on at least one of our incentive trips. I think that was the one where we decided to see how cheaply we could have a good time in Vegas for three or four days.  We jumped on the shuttle up and down the strip for our transportation, took in the free mini-shows at Excalibur and another place I can't remember the name of...it was a variety show, with an Elvis impersonator, a Charlie Daniels impersonator and a couple of slightly bawdy but cute dance routines. 

Also the zoo at the MGM, the 'volcano', the pirate ships, the Bellagio fountains...there is a wealth of fun things to do that don't cost anything or cost very little.  With $1 hotdogs and shrimp cocktails all up and down the strip and $2.99 breakfasts, we didn't spend much on food, either, though we did have to diet when we returned.

About the timeshare presentations...if you like the idea of the timeshare, and there are some advantages, don't buy it from the developer.  Even in the newer, developments, there are usually many on the secondary market, and you can pick them up for less than half of what the timeshare developer wants.  Although it's illegal, expect to be lied to about almost everything, including the universal lie that they appreciate in value. 

In fact, if you want a timeshare in Vegas and don't mind that it's off the strip, I've got one for sale, lol.  The new ones by the same developer are selling for close to $20,000 I believe.  I'll sell you mine for $4000, and you can trade into a new one anytime.  I may expand this discussion into a different thread, because we've learned so much about the timeshare industry.

So, Max...now that I've had my say, what would you do if you were vacationing at home?  I know there's lots more...

Cheri

Hi, Scott

Carla told us you were eaten by a bear while on the way to meet us at Lake Powell!  (sorry, folks, inside joke).  So, yes, first Lake Powell, then busy and Larry lost me so I haven't been to his forum.  Glad to see the bear didn't get you after all, and welcome to this thread!

Your front porch sounds so relaxing, and would work well for me, too!  Central Vermont sounds like the same kind of place as Utah, although I understand our snow is softer than yours.  I'm not a skier, so don't know what advantage that would be unless it's just better to land on when you fall!

Although Salt Lake City isn't really a big city, it is urban in character.  The cool thing, though, is that all those outdoor activities are available within a 20-minute drive even from the center of the city!  And you don't have to drive far for the concerts, plays, and community events. 

I've never been to Vermont, but one day I'd like to take a driving tour of the fall color up through New England and then back across country through the Great Lakes states. 

Cheri

Hi, Nick

LOL, I have Linda Caroll, who designed my website, to thank for the picture of the banker with Pinocchio's nose.  I like it, too.  Thanks for your visit and the giggle this morning. 

Are you going to tell us where you live and what you would do if you were vacationing there?

Cheri