Everyone needs the occasional vacation, but if your budget is already stretched pretty thin, it's hard to imagine when you'll be able to get out an relax.
Traveling isn't only for the rich, though, and there are plenty of things that you can do to save money when you travel.
Take a look at these cheap travel ideas: Take a staycation.
Gaining in popularity, a staycation means simply taking time off of work and staying at home.
There are probably eve local attractions that you've never been to because you've been too busy.
A staycation allows you to relax and not have to worry about work, but the great thing is that you don't have to worry about the stresses of traveling either.
Don't travel far.
The cost of plane tickets is high and these days, they charge you for every little extra.
Even with the cost of gas, it's often cheaper for a family to travel someplace that they can drive to.
Just a simple change of scenery for the weekend can be fun.
Do the cooking yourself.
Look for hotels that offer a kitchenette so that you can cook some of your own meals.
Even if you cook just one meal a day, you'll save some serious cash.
If you don't have a kitchenette, you can still make sandwiches or other meals that don't require cooking.
Shop where the locals shop.
If you're going to a big tourist destination, then you're likely to end up paying tourist prices.
Check the internet before you go to find out where local residents shop and eat.
This will get you lower prices.
Travel during the off-season.
Everyone wants to go to Hawaii during the winter months and prices increase accordingly.
So look at prices throughout the year.
You'll find that there are big discounts during the off-season.
Take a cruise.
Cruises may initially seem expensive, but the price is all-inclusive.
There will be many activities on-ship that are free to participate in.
Food is also included, so you can eat as much as you want.