Timeshare Information

As reported on Forbes.com, if this economy has you feeling stressed, financially strained or in need of a break, it’s not that you just want a vacation, you really need one! Giving your mind a body a time to rest and re-charge does wonders not only for your physical well being, it also helps you perform daily routines and jobs better once you return.

Patricia Gerbarg, M.D. and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College says, "Vacations are important. People are constantly surrounded by demands, constantly adding stress, so our stress response is overactive." Gerbarg, who also co-authored the book "How to Use Herbs, Nutrients and Yoga in Mental Health Care", is referring to the balance in our body between the sympathetic part of the nervous systems, which give us those fight-or-flight responses and keep us alert, and the parasympathetic, which allow us to rest. By changing your environment or routine, the latter can be restored.

Unfortunately Expedia reports that about one-third of employed adults (34 percent) usually do not take all of the vacation days they receive each year. And, interestingly, another statistic shows that 34 percent of adults who do take a vacation claim they feel better about their job and are more productive when they return.

So, how can you make sure a vacation is part of your future? You don’t have to plan something elaborate to get the rest and relaxation you need. Think about a vacation in your own town, or a destination that’s just a few hour drive so you are out of your normal routine, but, not paying too much for gas to get there. Maybe you have some previous frequent flyer miles built up for a longer distance adventure? In this economy, it pays to be creative. It’s doesn’t have to be the vacation of your dreams to be relaxing and restorative. The most important thing is that it reduces your stress, not adds to it.

And, for those who are budget conscious, and who isn’t these days, take a look at timeshare rentals. Renting directly from a timeshare owner can really save you money when you travel, and with resorts available worldwide, you’re sure to find just what you are looking for. With your health and well being as stake, you can’t afford not to take a vacation.

If you’re on a budget this year, you’re not alone. The good news is that you don’t have to cancel your vacation plans due to reduced funds. With some prior planning, creative thinking and these tips from NECN.com reporter Louise Sacco, you can still have a great vacation.

1. Don’t Cancel
   Take some kind of vacation, even a stay-at-home one. A break from your usual routine will refresh your physical and mental health. If you decide to vacation away from home, think about a location that is “off season”, like mountains in summer, or beaches in the spring or fall because everything will cost less and the location will be less crowded.


2. Stay Close By
   Play tourist in your own town. You probably have a number of local attractions you’ve never visited, or, there are new ones just a few hours’ drive away. You don’t have to take an airplane to be on vacation and you can find an alternate place to stay in your own town as well. (see “where to stay” below) .


3. Where to Stay
   Friends: Stay with friends for a few nights and invite them to do the same with you.
   Rent a Timeshare: Owners often have weeks they can’t use. Look for them on Craiglist.com or Redweek.com (the largest online marketplace for renting, buying, and selling timeshares).
   Hostels: If you don't mind sharing a room, (or bathroom), these are quite a bargain.
   Discounts: Many membership associations offer discount programs: AAA, AARP.


4. How to Get There
   As you look at your alternatives for travel, consider the bus or train. Be sure to factor in the costs associated once you get to your destination, such as rental car or cab fares. If you are going to fly, do advanced research to get the best price and try a bidding website to make an offer 25% below the going rate. You may not get it, but if you did, what a savings!


5. How To Save Once You Are There
   Stock up at the local grocery store. Pack your own cooler with drinks and snacks. Or, if there’s a good restaurant you want to try, go for lunch instead of dinner (which can be cheaper). Or at dinner time, order a soup or appetizer or split an entrée. Many museums offer free admission one day each week or month (do research ahead of time). Look for discounts for kids, students, or seniors (if this applies to you or someone in your group).

The main thing is to plan ahead. Do all your research in advance to find and compare the best rates and surface the right coupons. Great deals are out there, you just have to look.