The current recession, which just entered its 21st month and is the longest downturn since World War II, has caused many of us to reevaluate our personal finances. With unemployment rising and credit still hard to come by, saving money and cutting costs has become a priority for many families throughout the country.
While most of these cost cutting measures haven’t been too drastic (i.e. not going out to eat as much, making fewer impulse purchases, etc.) many of us have had to take things a little further.
One of the bigger “discretionary” expenses for families (and individuals) is the summer vacation. Whether it’s driving to the beach or flying across country to visit family, when everything’s said and done, a week long summer vacation can cost thousands of dollars. No matter your financial situation, this is a lot of money.