Have you thought about this summer’s family vacation? Can you afford to take the kids away for a week or two to make memories? Perhaps your wife and you have been saving up for this year’s Columbia Valley vacation since you visited there last summer, but you aren’t sure you’ve saved enough. Do you book a hotel, tent it, or search for a reasonable and comfortable vacation home, in Radium, Edgewater or Invermere? Rest assured you can afford that quality time away with your family for a weekend, week or longer and it does not have to break your budget.
Many refer to a “stay-cation” as their form of vacation, where they do not travel far from home and they have their itinerary planned out in advance, avoiding any unexpected costs once they arrive at their destination. A characteristic to look for in a stay-cation is that the destination be somewhat all inclusive, meaning that the amenities you require for an inexpensive escape are included in your stay. Such amenities as a pool, hot tub, tennis, basketball or volleyball courts, games, movies (activities to keep the kids occupied), kitchen conveniences so you are able to prepare all your meals (saving $100’s on eating out) and an abundance of space for your family.
Firstly, take a look at your household budget and try to determine how much your family will need for a memorable and restful “escape”. Approach saving for your vacation similar to saving for any other household expense or necessity, and make a conscious decision to set aside $15 to 35 dollars a week, which is basically a lunch out or a minimum 3 or 4 large lattes a week. Eliminating unnecessary expenses every week can be as easy as using coupons at the grocery store, buying generic products, browsing through sales flyers to take advantage of weekly sales, taking the bus to work rather than driving, saving all the can or bottle empties and turning them in for cash. A favorite that I like to do is any change in my pocket at the end of each day, I deposit into an old yogurt bowl or ice cream pail. By the time our vacation approaches, I have easily saved up $300 to $500 dollars in change which I then roll and deposit into our bank account.
Ensuring that every cent saved counts, many stay-cations this year will include vacation home rentals rather than hotels, as vacation home rentals provide a considerably better value! “The biggest advantage is you can get a whole house for less than the cost of an average hotel room, complete with all the conveniences of home and 100’s of sq. feet more which adds to the fun and value” says Matt with Cobblestone Creek Cottage and Lodging Co. www.cobblestonecreek.ca A friend of mine states “as a dad with three children under the age of twelve, I no longer stay in hotels when I am traveling with my family because vacation rentals allow us to have a more enjoyable vacation together at a more affordable price!” A comical look at Vacation Home Rentals verse Hotel rentals with Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo, titled “Hotel Hell Vacation” spoofs Chevy Chase’s Family Vacation movies. Check out; http://vacation.homeaway.com/vacation/?icid=IL_sparky_BR_T_300x250__LPRO_micro
Another way to reduce the cost of your family’s vacation is to take in the local sights, most are free. Check out the farmers market, there you can purchase some fresh produce to be prepared later for your family’s dinner. Take a drive and explore the area history, drive up to one of the many mountain lakes for a picnic or fishing for dinner, take in one of the many area hikes, check out the Radium Hot Springs pools, www.hotsprings.ca, entry for a family is less than twenty dollars. Take a walk down main street Radium and take in music on main, check out the spilli chili cook off in Spillimacheen, Valley Appreciation Days for a free pancake breakfast in Invermere or the nostalgic and exciting Classic Car Show and Shine in Radium and Invermere! There are so many free events that you and your family can experience, that will make memories to last a life time!
Finally, to cut down on vacation costs, consider vacationing in the off season. This is a time typically prior to the summer months of July and August or a long weekend. Rates for vacation home rentals and even some activities are usually reduced during these periods as they are not high traffic dates.
There are many ways to make memories with your family. I hope at least one of my suggestions will enable you to take that time this coming spring and summer season!
Enjoy your Vacation Adventure!
by Forrest – Vacation Adventure Consultant