Taking a vacation these days has become a very costly affair. One has to keep aside a huge chunk of the bank balance, to enjoy a vacation. However, not everyone is ready to spend a fortune on a vacation, when there can be other pressing needs, yet one needs a vacation. This is when the low cost vacation ideas come in handy. With summers (the best time for a vacation, according to me) around the corner, it is not uncommon to see a number of people planning their vacations. There are some people, who would rather go for two low cost vacations as opposed to a high-priced vacation. To be very frank, I am one of them. I love unwinding at regular intervals and cannot wait to take the next vacation. Hence, instead of saving up on one big vacation, I opt for two small vacations. Vacation Ideas for Shoe String Budget There are a number of ways, which one can use to save up on some precious dollars. The most important tip I would like to give you at this stage is that you will have to be flexible as far as your vacation plan goes. If you are rigid with the plan, then you will find it very difficult to find a suitable low cost vacation for yourself. I would rather be a little flexible and take a vacation as opposed to not take a vacation at all. Plan for Weekday Vacations Most people travel out on the weekends, which is exactly the time, when everything related to a vacation becomes costly. Right from the airfares to car rentals, or hotels. Hence, it is recommended that you travel on a weekday and make the most of the low airfares, car rentals and hotel bookings. There is an added advantage of traveling on a weekday. You will not be surrounded by a number of people and you will be able to visit the different tourist spots at peace. Plan in Advance This is one trick that I use all the time. If you are planning on a low cost family vacation, then you will want to follow it as well. When you plan in advance, the tickets cost less and so do the hotel rentals. The best part is you will be able to choose the best of the flights or hotels, but at a minimum cost. You can look up the internet to find the best and cheapest deals for the duration of your vacation. Opt for Low Cost Carriers If you are looking for affordable family vacation ideas, then you will want to save some on airfare. There are many low cost, no frill carriers, which you will want to consider. They may not be as comfortable, as the regular carriers, but yet you will be able to travel cheaper. If the destination is a couple of hours away, then the inconvenience should not be a big problem. However, if you have kids with you, then you will want to take some form of entertainment for them. Go as a Group Vacation is the time, you would want to spend with your loved ones. If you can form a group and travel together, it is no doubt cheaper. You can take just a bigger car and you will save on gas expenses. Sharing hotel suites will reduce staying cost as well. The destination for such a vacation is aptly the beach or national parks, etc. Hiking or Biking Vacation One of the low cost vacation destinations are the hills around. You can choose one of the areas, where you can go hiking or biking or both. It will not only help you to save some money, but you will stay in closer proximity with nature and refresh yourself. If you are going to a tourist destination, then you should opt to buy yourself a map of the place and explore it on a bicycle, rather than going for a guided tour. You will enjoy it much better than a guided tour. Go Camping Great low cost vacations are the ones, where you go camping with your family and friends. All you will need is a reservation at a camping ground. Take a tent along and enjoy a nice vacation in between nature. Carrying your eatables around will also ensure you save some more. We often go for potluck camping vacations with friends. It is a great stress buster. The other alternative can be to opt for recreational vehicles. They are a good alternative if you have small children with you. Since they have kitchenettes, you can cook in there as well, which will save you the trouble of cooking and packing eatables. A barbecue party is something, which can be planned to add some more fun to the vacation. Vacation is about spending some relaxed moments with the loved ones and making some memories to remember for a lifetime. Hence, it is the time that one has at the vacation that one will eventually remember rather than remembering that it was a low cost vacation. May be you can research for low cost vacation spots around your town itself. That way you can enjoy your vacation and save on travel costs too.