Guest post from Asheritah of One Thing Alone
Are you looking for a cheap weekend getaway before the busyness of the holidays sets in? Here’s how my husband and I went on “vacation” for less than $2 and had a blast:
1. We Stayed Local to Save Time and Gas
Although our total vacation cost was less than $2, we originally started with a budget of $250 for a two-night vacation. Even with a $250 budget, we knew would would need to get creative and stay locally.
I asked friends for local recommendations and settled on a nearby national state park. Staying local meant we saved on transportation and maximized our limited time frame. And due to our fuel-efficient Corolla, we got great mileage on our short drive. It’s a win-win.
Total spent on fuel: $14.50
2. We Searched For Amazing Lodging Deals
During my online search for local vacation destinations, I found a resort offering a free 3-day/2-night stay.
Though I was suspicious at first, I called the number provided and was greeted by a courteous customer service rep who confirmed the deal if I sat through a 2-hour, no-obligation presentation. I agreed!
Total spent on lodging = $0
3. We Packed Our Own Food
The cabin we stayed in had a fully-functional kitchen, complete with fridge, stove, microwave, pots, pans, and dishes.
Since I knew this ahead of time, I packed cold cuts, tomatoes, cereal, milk, and leftovers. We also enjoyed homemade brownies, my mom’s baklava (both of which I packed from home), and ice cream on the ranch as desserts.
Unfortunately, I forgot to pack water, so we ended up paying a premium for two gallons of water. Lesson learned.
Total spent on food = $13
4. We Enjoyed Simple Entertainment
Since we were saving on housing, transportation, and fuel, I wanted to splurge on activities we wouldn’t normally do.
We rented a canoe (which was a first for my husband) and we planned to go horseback riding, but the stable had to cancel for whatever reason. So instead, we hiked the trails, went mountain biking, played ping pong, table pool, Scrabble, watched America’s Ninja Warrior, went star-gazing, and swam in the pool and the lake.
We also had LOTS of good conversations about what we want our lives to look like after we pay off the house. Sometimes it’s good to remember what we’re aiming for so that we can stay on track.
Total spent on activities = $24
5. We Asked for Extras
Remember earlier, when I call the resort’s customer service number to inquire about the free 3-day/2-night stay? Well, when I was on the phone with them, I asked if there were any additional perks.
They quickly offered to throw in an extra $50 gas card if we attended the presentation that weekend!! Done and done!
Total SAVINGS = $50
After we factored in the FREE $50 gas card, our vacation cost us less than $2!
While it wasn’t the most spectacular getaway we’ve experienced, it definitely was a lot of fun to spend time together without breaking the bank. And it brought us into the homestretch to fulfill our dream of financial independence.
Saving money doesn’t mean depriving yourself of fun experiences. With a little work and a lot of creativity, you can enjoy the best of both worlds: a tight budget AND a great vacation!
Asheritah is a writer, speaker, and blogger who helps overwhelmed women find joy in Jesus through her blog One Thing Alone. There she offers written encouragement, short video devotionals, and beautiful Scripture art. She’d love to share a streusel blueberry muffin and hear your story there.
Heather says
First, let me say, I LOVE this website. Have for a long time. I don’t post ever, but I wanted to caution your readers about ever going to a timeshare presentation. IMO (and many, many others out there) this is NEVER a good thing. Never is a harsh word. But I mean it. I know that we are all level-headed and can say NO — but some of us simply cannot. I’ve seen it first-hand with personal friends who got caught up in these crazy schemes…and it has cost them dearly. Money they never had to begin with. (Are you aware that these are just like mortgages on your credit report? They cost thousands of dollars… and there is ALWAYS a catch.)
For those who’ve attended “presentations” such as these and was able to say NO and walk away with a couple of free night’s stay, or some cash, Good for you. But, you are truly not the norm. And for those who wind up buying the timeshare, I guarantee you that at some point you will wish you never bought it (although you may never admit it bc you’ll feel like you’ve been taken, because you have). Please don’t believe the lies of “you’ll save money”… “you’ll always have a place to vacation”… etc. These things are not cheap. In fact, if you are truly a money-saver you will not put yourself in harm’s way with these awful schemes. These types of things are right up there with payday loans, and we know how money-saving those can be. (Not.)
Honestly, I’m disappointed that this site would even allow anyone to suggest that they’ve saved money by attending these types of presentations. 🙁
Just my two cents — for what it’s worth. I just want to be able to save anyone, even if it’s just one person, the headache and heartache these types of things can give you.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for sharing these words of warning. I really appreciate it!
Sally says
This is so inspiring!
sona says
Crystal, I would love for you to to “ask the readers” question about time shares. We have had one for many years and would never do it again!! With your readers looking to save money it may be something of interest, thinking they will save in the long run…..
Crystal Paine says
We had a question on time shares awhile back that was very insightful: https://moneysavingmom.com/2011/05/ask-the-readers-should-we-try-the-free-resort-weekend-sales-pitch-deal.html
Meg Rose says
Thanks for sharing your experience, Asheritah! I don’t think I’ve ever asked a company I’m lodging with or traveling with if there are any extras. The fact that you were able to pay for your gas with the gift card the resort provided is a reminder of how big an impact a little extra can have.
Lindsey Gurley says
My husband and I have done a few timeshare presentations and always found it to be worth our time. The only ones I have not found to be worth it were the ones where you earn a “free” cruise. The blackout dates on those are pretty extensive.
We have done this in Orlando and got a great rate on a Comfort Inn (150.00 for 4 nights) as well as 2 tickets to Universal Studios and a $50.00 dining credit. We have also done a presentation in Destin, FL. It was a great, cheap vacation for our family of 5. I don’t have a problem saying “no” to the products and they know up front that “I’m just here for the free stuff.” The presentations aren’t too bad and I make sure they stick to their time limit.
We have done the big family vacations at Disney and the beach and those are great, but we had a wonderful time at Destin this year and saved a ton. Since we saved so much on lodging and planned our meals well, we let the kids do lots of activities (zip lines, kayak, arcade, etc.) that were kind of expensive. They had a blast and my 3 year old shocked the entire family when he insisted on zip lining 50 feet in the air over a lagoon. The pictures are priceless!
Jessi Fearon (@TheBudgetMama) says
Oh this is awesome! Some of the best vacations I have ever been, as a child and as an adult, have been practically free. My dad actually took us on a vacation to DisneyWorld using the change from his coin jar. It’s awesome how you can have a great, memorable time but it not cost you an arm and leg.
Abby says
I just LOVE this post!
Zan says
Asheriath, I was looking for this to comment on you blog but apparently not there, so I will comment here. This is great! This is such an awesome way to save money! I guess the 2 hour sitting listening to people speak was worth it after all!
Amanda@CrunchyHippieLife says
Wow, that’s great! I wonder if there are things like that around St. Louis…
sarah @ little bus on the prairie says
A few years ago my husband and I spent our anniversary at disneyland. While staying at a hotel nearby we completed an hour-long time share presentation for something like $200 disney dollars. It was probably the easiest “money” we’ve ever made – all we had to do was say no to spending a lot of money on over priced vacation rentals.
My husband and I wound up playing good guy (him) and bad guy (me) with the presentor because I’m a lot better at saying no in those sorts of pressured situations, but it worked out for us!
R Kessler says
We have gone to alot of timeshare presentations and have gotten some nice gifts.. We are pretty good at saying no because we already own one. We bought it on a second market years ago but still paid a pretty penny. When we don’t want to use it we let the resort rent it for us.
Mary H says
I’m curious about the 2-hour, no-obligation presentation. My experience is that these start out low key but turn into high pressure toward the end of the 2 hours. Could you share more about your experience with it, please.
Lana says
This is our favorite kind of getaway! No touristy things or crowds-just us!
Ashley P says
Nice job! We just got done having our cheap vacation! It wasn’t quite as cheap as $2, but considering what we usually spend on our getaways, it was definitely a bargain! I hadn’t taken one in 2 years, and I’ll be spending my vacation time next year on maternity leave, so I was bound and determined to make it happen! We went to Orlando (We’re native Floridians, so it was only a 3 hour car ride for us) and had a GLORIOUS time!
We used the timeshare we already own (We’ve had it since we got married. Hubby’s parents own at the same resort and it’s where he took all his vacations growing up, so we already knew we were interested in buying.) so those costs were already covered (actually, thanks to some extra payments we’ve been sending them, we’ll have it paid off next year!). Hubby used a gas card he got from Bing rewards, so most of our gas was paid for.
There were lots of things to do free at the resort. We went to the pool two days, we played mini-golf, our membership at the resort came with 200 free points to spend at the arcade, so we played some games and used the tickets to buy small trinkets for our toddler son, and spent one night after dinner watching Hogan’s Heroes while playing Uno and reminiscing on our marriage.
We did spend a little money, mostly on food, but we had budgeted it so we knew we’d be ok. The resort gave us $80 cash for attending our owner’s update meeting (where they tell you all about the new features and see if you’re interested in upgrading your unit) so we spent that on a bit of a splurge dinner at Downtown Disney. I picked Downtown Disney specifically because it was free, and there were tons of things to do there. We played in the Lego store, saw street performers, got a free sample of chocolate at the Ghiradelli store, watched glass-blowing at one of the knickknack shops, and had a very friendly conversation with one shop clerk about books. The only things we spent money on there were the dinner we got at the Raglan Road pub (which we paid for with $80 the resort gave us) and a balloon ride and keepsake photograph.
We also went to the Ripley’s museum, which was discounted with coupons from a travel brochure at the resort, and then spent time at a charming public park downtown where you can stroll shady walks and feed swans. We only spent $1.50 on parking.
Other than that, and the romantic dinner hubby treated me to for our anniversary (where the waitress gave me my dessert on the house when she found out that not only was it our anniversary, but that I was pregnant as well!) we really didn’t spend any money except for the food we ate in our room (cereal, TV dinners, that kind of thing). All told, a week-long vacation to Orlando cost us less than $400.
I know a lot of people don’t like timeshares, because they buy them and never use them. Honestly, in the 7 years we’ve been married, we’ve only not used it 2 years: last year when I was on maternity, and the year before when I visited family in North Carolina. They’re not for everyone. But they certainly work for us. And as of next year, our vacations will be paid for.
We may not have gotten to splurge on the parks like we usually do every year due to some emergency housing repairs that came up, but I’m kind of glad we were on a tighter budget this time. We might not have discovered that charming little park, or made those memories over a stack of Uno cards. 🙂
Asheritah says
That’s awesome, Kelly! Love that you guys used the gas card from Bing rewards and that you looked up coupons for more deals. Way to save AND make memories!
sdr says
We bought into Disney Vacation Club over ten years ago. Yes, it was expensive but we bought when we didn’t have kids and both had good jobs. We’ve had so many amazing vacations that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford.
Jaci says
We bought into Disney Vacation Club pre kids as well. Best thing ever. We’ve only used our points for us twice in 7 years, but I was also able to give my brother and sister in law an awesome honeymoon there, my parents a vacation this coming October, and we’re planning on a big family trip in 2017 that we’ll use three years worth of points on. On other years we’ve sold them! We knew we wanted a stay at home parent and Disney would be hard if we did that, and we both looooove Disney. So glad we did it!
Kelly says
I love this! I’m always weary when I get those phone calls about free trips for attending something. Any tips on knowing the good from the bad? Also, any reason you couldn’t drink the tap water? preference/taste or safety? Just wondering. Many people think bottled is better but there are actually more regulations on tap water then bottled.
Asheritah says
That’s a great question. I usually check them out online and do my research; I also avoid any “offers” that require bank information. In this case, the company checked out. Win!
As far as the water goes, I had a bad experience in the past with bad water and sickness, so I pick bottled or filtered even when it means we pay a premium.