I mentioned this in a previous response. However I would like this to become a new thread.<BR><BR>When my wife and I go on vacation we usually go to an AI. Let's say a week there costs $2000. This $2000 can be defrayed in many ways. Here are a few...<BR><BR>$100 no food bill at home<BR>$100 no need to go out to eat like we every week<BR>$200 keep the house at 56 degrees while away<BR>$75 gasoline savings - no driving to work<BR>$10 - oil changes because we drove 1000 miles less on our cars<BR>$25 - booze savings<BR>$10 - downgrade cable TV while away<BR>$25 - telephone is unused while away<BR>$25 - electricity is almost unused while away<BR><BR>This is approaching 1/3 of the cost itself. Does anyone have any other things to add?<BR>

BTW - $2000 including booze, room, plane, and transfers is conservative.<BR><BR>I'll bet you can get a halfway decent AI in a warm climate for possible as low as $1300 for two.<BR><BR>Anybody see anything that low?

We don't go to AIs anymore, however, we can share some numbers.<BR><BR>Our last family trip (3 adults and 2 children). Airfare from midwest and NYC - $350 each, $1750.<BR><BR>A 2 bedroom villa at Rondel Village in Negril, Jamaica, large upper loft bedroom w/ 3 beds for 2 kids and mom in law, lower master BR for my husband and I, living room, kitchen, porch, hammock, private jacuzzi, dining area, 2 bathrooms, AC, cable TV, etc: $190/night, 7 nights: $1330.<BR><BR>Cash we brought for everything else including tours (two half day trips and one full day trip), transport from airport to Negril, parasailing (2), trip to reef to snorkel, jetskiiing (1 time), all meals, drinks, taxis, souvenirs, massage (1), everything: $1800.<BR><BR>So our vacation cost us $4880 for 5 people or just under $1000 each (but 2 are kids...no break on airfare or food though).<BR><BR>Our last trip without the kids we spent: $700 (2 airfares), $525 hotel (Whistling Bird on the beach in Negril) and spent $1200 on everything else (including again a half day tour and most everything the family did). Total cost: $2425 for two, all inclusive down to the snacks at the airport.<BR><BR>We don't NOT go AI to save money but rather to choose where our money is spent and get more space ad privacy for similar $. We get a villa, not a hotel room, we eat out at dozens of different places, not the few at the resort, we take many half day and full day trips to eplore (rarely included at an AI), we include the cost of airport meals, parking etc (not in AI budget), we definitely drink quite a bit but in Negril it's easy to find $1 beer and $2 foofoo drinks.<BR><BR>I like the way you think, dilbert, on what is saved at home. When we go away without our kids, the kids also go away, to grandparents, so we can save a lot. Our budget only varies from yours in that we spend more on groceries, less on eating out, and darn I never thought of downgrading my cable!! <BR><BR>Now if I could sublet or rent my house while away for enough to cover our mortgage? I'd be vacationing for free!

Liza...Correct you are....<BR><BR>I know the food at an AI isn't the best. That's OK. In NY there are the best restaurants in the world.<BR><BR>The booze is great at an AI. So is the water. The beds aren't that bad.<BR><BR>But let me tell you...<BR><BR>A LOUSY DAY AT AN AI BEATS A GREAT DAY IN UPSTATE NY DURING WINTER<BR><BR>Also....I forgot to mention....<BR><BR>$100 / week in eating lunch out while at work and having coffees<BR><BR>I also should explore downgrading my auto insurance for a two / three week trip. I pay about $70 / week for it for three cars for two drivers. I'm wondering if GEICO might flip out on that.<BR><BR>There goes another $170 / week I don't spend because we are on vacation.

Dilbert, do you really downgrade your cable when you on vacation???? Wow that's what I call covering ALL your bases!<BR><BR>Not related to travel, I'd like to share a car insurance find: Unitrin Direct. Unbelievable low rates. We live in Florida, have 3 cars, 3 drivers (one a teen girl). Our rates went from $2400 to $1200 (for 6 months), and they lock in for a year. Hope this helps somebody else!

Hello everyone!<BR><BR>Some vacation saving ideas for me has been the following:<BR><BR>1) Priceline for hotels. Got the Hyatt in high season for $200 a night. That is CHEAP for March!<BR><BR>2) Charters for hotel/air package such as Apple Vacations, Funjet, Worryfree vacations out of Detroit....If possible wait for last minute vacations, they usually post apx 3 weeks before departure, great if you are flexible.<BR><BR>3) Traveling during off season. (September October) Aruba has some great prices, plus they aren't affected by the hurricane season either. A great time to go if you don't want to be around a bunch of children.<BR><BR>I'll let you know if I think of anymore ideas.<BR><BR>Happy travels everyone!

To Joan....<BR><BR>I have to do my best to justify a vacation to my accountant and keeper of the royal treasury (wife).<BR><BR><BR>To Susan1...<BR><BR>I realize there are many ways to save on a vacation. But this thread is geared at finding vacation savings by being away from home. This is a type of cost avoidance. Can you think of any cost avoidances that we didn't mention?

Water bill goes down as no showers, laundry or dishwasher. And, you could also stop the paper delivery.

This thread reminds me of an alcoholic explaining why he drank last night...you know we're all addicted to travel and we're gonna do it anyway! Pretty soon, when we add it all up, it'll be cheaper to vacation than to stay home! Now...how to convince our spouses of this...<BR><BR>

quite actually.....<BR><BR>I think that living at an AI is cheaper than our own house.<BR><BR>Its a beautiful $1.5 mil house with 14 rooms, pool, etc... BUT<BR>when you don't have to cook, do the lawn, pull weeds, clean up....<BR>I'd take the AI<BR><BR>Now to find one near my job......<BR><BR>

Here are a few numbers on the house.....<BR><BR>$1000 / mo property tax<BR>$1600 / mo mortgage interest<BR>$100 / mo electricity<BR>$200 / mo heating oil<BR>$70 / mo cable<BR>$100 / mo cleaning and maintenance<BR><BR>Also without the house I'd have $600,000 in the bank. That's good for $1000 / mo<BR><BR><BR>I already pointed out that vacationing is cheaper than living at home.<BR><BR>But can I base myself at a Club Med (or whatever) and still do my job via phone lines?