For many families money causes a whole lot of stress (and not just when it comes to traveling!)  To ease the pain we have found a few ways to enjoy a vacation while exploring our own "backyard." 

We trade dog-sitting services with my Mom while she travels in exchange for a week at her timeshare resort.  The resort offers a large suite with a complete kitchen and we cook many of our own meals.  It takes a little creativity with the limited space and minimal utensils, but it sure saves a bundle of money.

The resort also features family activities for low or no cost.  Our children have participated in a checkers tournament and won a movie rental, roasted s'mores and played organized, supervised games poolside.  We also take several board games and card games to enjoy with our family or with new found friends.

The downtown area of large cities usually offers numerous family-friendly adventures.  Downtown Phoenix is referred to a Copper Square.  It has a free shuttle bus that circles the Square  .  We have paid $3.00 to park our car in a parking lot caught the shuttle and enjoyed an entire afternoon of free fun.  We visited the Arizona Rock and Mineral Museum, the Wesley Bolin Plaza featuring outdoor monuments including the anchor from the USS Arizona that was sunk in Pearl Harbor, and the State Capitol Museum.  We also rode the elevator to the top of the County Courthouse and looked through the windows at the tiny, little people and cars. 

There are ways to enjoy a trip without stressing about the finances.  The object of getting away is to relax.  Reward yourself by indulging in that novel you never have time for or get an exciting book on tape from the library to share with the whole family every night before bed. 

With a little bit of thought and planning you can avoid Vacation Sticker Shock and actually enjoy a good time.

Smooth Sailing!

Paula in AZ

PS Do you have any free or low cost ideas for travel fun?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

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