Hope everyone had a safe 4th of July weekend. I took a bus road trip and saw quite a few RV dealers in Illinois and Wisconsin and not that many on the road.

For inexpensive overall travel an RV would be a good way for a group to see the country. At a couple of places where we stopped there was parking available for RV and some pretty nice looking ones (from the outside) as well.

Taking an RV for a vacation would work but you must remember that you have to do the cleaning, some one has to drive and in order to save, you also need to do the cooking as well. If  that isn’t something you are interested in, then consider another type of vacation.

For some taking a vacation does not include the same things you have to do at home : cooking, cleaning and driving. Although you can control what you eat when you eat and if you have ever been to a not-so-clean rest stop, you will appreciate knowing about the cleanliness of the facilities.

Seeing the open road seems great but if you are thinking of seeing an urban area for vacation you may not need an RV. An RV vacation is for the open road, wide spaces and less congested areas. Then during the highways in the cities, you see very few RVs.

An RV offers the opportunity to see what you want, but there is still gas, food and the driving to consider. Plus,  you need to find where RV parks or places where you can park your RV are located.

Vacation to me spells hotel, doesn’t include driving and not having to cook.

Still want to enjoy things that you used to like vacations? Dinners with friends or vacations keeping you from some social activities? If you are un- or under-employed you might not have the same amount of money you formerly earned. Or if you were forced to take furlough days or a pay decrease then there is just less money to go around.

As you parents used to say when you were younger, if they are really your friends then they won’t have a problem. True friends don’t want their friends to have financial problems. If you can’t afford to go on a vacation with friends then tell them. If  you were living a larger lifestyle funded by credit cards and are trying to pay down debt, be forthright. People who only like you for your money or won’t accommodate plans occasionally so that you can do something with them aren’t your true friends.

Vacation plans?

 Do you have any vacation plans? Or have they been put on hold because of the economy? Taking a vacation is about taking a break from work which can help you be more productive. But more people are forgoing taking unnecessary days off because they do not want to take unnecessary days off.

If you have a certain amount of vacation days and you can’t carry them over to the next year, taking them is a wise decision. Even going or an overnight trip of just doing things in your own city will give you a break from your regular routine.

If you have a certain amount of security in you job, then you might want to take book a vacation last minute or for a more inclusive package such as a cruise.

Even though some companies are forcing workers to take furlough days, vacation days are still something that people need to take. Another way to take a vacation would be to go away for part of your vacation and spend the rest of your time at home. Get away from the text messaging, emails and other things and just enjoy from free time at home.

There are great deals at hotels and for resorts because the service and travel industries are hurting as well. Search around for deals  - Princess Cruises has had some last minute deals – for departures within a month that were about half the regular cabin rate. Sites like Expedia, Hotwire and even the direct hotel sites offer some packages for rooms, breakfast and some nearby attractions.

Taking a vacation can happen for less than you think. If going away will take too much out of your budget, take a day off and do something pleasurable and  interesting in your city that you don’t get a chance to do, because you are working. Taking a picnic in a park or forest preserve when everyone else is working can be fun too.

The average tax refund is just over $2700. What would you do with a tax refund?

Of course, there are practical things to do with a tax refund, like paying down credit card bills, saving the money for an emergency fund or adding money to a retirement account. All noble things to do. But what if you have no credit card debt, consider emergency funds as part of your regular expenses and have maxed out you retirement savings?

What could you do with the money instead?

You could take a vacation, or invest in some non retirement accounts so that the money will grow for a larger extravagant purchase you plan to make later.  The funds could be used for a fun family item such as a television set, tickets to several baseball games or season passes for an amusement park.

Making purchases has gotten a bad reputation lately, but if you can wait… yes, wait until your return comes and not get a rapid refund, advance loan and your other finances are secure… then splurge.

A significant windfall like a tax rebate doesn’t have to be spent all at one time. Divide a significant refund into parts. Many may not feel comfortable spending money if it’s possible that they could be laid off or are currently unemployed. If you are secure in your job and your finances are in order, spending some would be a healthy thing to do.

Spending has become vilified. Saving is king, but spending some of what is essentially your money on a treat for yourself will allow you to regain the possibility that you don’t always have to save everything and that there is room in you budget for pleasure, even if it is something small like ordering food and having it delivered.

If you are too tempted that you will spend all of your refund, take what you want to spend and get it in cash and when you have spent, it you have spent it.

What do you make room for in your budget? If you are a serious baseball fan and decide to get season tickets that’s one way of spending your money. What if you would rather be able to enjoy your money a little at a time by going out to dinner a couple of times a month instead? Both cost about the same amount of money.

It all depends on what is important to you. Each person has a comfort level as to what they want to spend and how they spend. If you are not going into debt and have some cushion for the future then who should care what you spend your money on? Two hundred dollars a month, could be saved up over a year or so for a great vacation; or could be spent several days a week on a muffin and cappuccino – it’s how you prioritize.

Reallocating your discretionary funds is for you to decide. Saving and spending money in a chunk or spending it in dribs and drabs equals the same amount. Enjoying something special may give you a different perspective and gives you a goal to work toward.

Conversely, charging your morning coffee or big splurge without having the money to pay for it, really busts your budget. What I can live without may not appeal to another person, whereas something I absolutely need to keep my sanity wouldn’t cause another person to bat an eyelash. It’s all about finding your financial center, if you will. A year’s worth of meals in a nice restaurant could definitely pay for a vacation, but if you are too busy to get away or can’t arrange of time off with your loved ones, having a meal together is a way of connecting.

Budgeting fun and entertainment on whatever scale you choose is necessary. If you have a small budget – your splurge may be buying a name brand item or ordering pizza. Sounds cool… delay that gratification for a couple of months and you could go out and eat at the pizza place or other restaurant. It has to do with your money style and personal spending.