Of all of the things that I´ve learned in the last couple years, this one has been the most fun,
YOU WON´T EVER REGRET A VACATION.
You probably will, however, regret the ones that you could have taken and decided that you didn´t have the money or time. Those two are the usual culprits when it comes to vacationing (and most other things).
I definitely don´t endorse going into debt for a weekend away. These are things that can and should have a little bit of savvy planning. Remember that when you vacation, if you do it right, you are paying for a life experience. It is good for your health (mental, physical, emotional, familial) to get out if town every once in a while.
Here are some simple steps to get you out of your zone and on to a vaca…
·1 Decide where you want to go. Make a list a mile long if you have to. As close or as far away as you dare…you will be able to refer back to this and keep on track with your goals. Also, if you have an unexpected lump sum or free week, you won´t have to scramble for an idea.
·2 Find or create a time. Plan a weekend, a month, a day that you can get away. Once it is set, don´t let anything change your plan. This will be your time with the world, it´s important!
·3 Set up a Vacation savings account. Mine is called¨International Travel¨ and is reserved for just that! Set aside a little bit every month towards your goal of getting out of town. It´s a lot easier to pay the bills from a specific pot of funds than out of the general ¨pay the bills and the sitter and the gas and rice¨pot.
·4 Plan. Create a basic itinerary, when to go where. Don´t be so rigid that you have a heart attack if something goes wrong…of course something will go wrong, this is LIFE! Remember to roll with it and watch how the unexpected becomes you favorite experience.
·5 ENJOY EVERY MINUTE! You did it! You´re on vacation! Now love it! Remember that this should be about seeing and doing…not just buying. I worked in a Cruise Ship Port for a summer and saw more unhappy vacationing shoppers…a few interesting and memorable souvenirs are perfect…but your hard earned and saved travel money will be better spent on things that won´t go from the suitcase to the closet to the garbage.
My hubby and I decided when we got married that we wanted to spend at least one weekend away a month, and take at least one international vacation per year. We have loved having these priorities, and have created so many fun memories.
Right now I´m enjoying a long awaited month in Asia and will be disconnected for a few weeks…and I don´t regret a second of it!!
