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- - Menu Planner A year's worth of menus costs less than one take-out dinner. »

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Vacation at Home

Cutting back your travel plans? Don't let that get in the way of a good time.

Beach House

Not doing the coast this year? You can still rock a Hawaiian luau, New England clambake, or Caribbean cruise--in your own backyard.

What About the Kids

What would you usually do with your little travelers? Take them to the zoo? Go swimming? Sing around a campfire? Indulge in some ice cream? So do it.

If you really miss the backseat whining, make them sit on the couch for a couple of hours before you head out the door.

Picnic Weather

Make the most of these long summer days. Pack a picnic and go fly a kite, hike a trail, play catch, ride a bike, watch some boats, fish off a dock. We could go on but you get the idea.

Local Flavor

Search out food-based fun in your area: BBQ festivals, chili cook-offs, state fairs, farmers' markets, microbreweries, and wineries.

Need to invent your own food festival? Throw a block party and call it "Taste of (insert your street name here)."

If you're long on wanderlust but short on cash, activate your inner travel agent and plan an in-town vacation. Okay, so it's not exactly like two weeks on a beach in Fiji, but you still deserve some rest and relaxation.

And since you're not blowing big bucks on airfare, you might be able to splurge on a couple of luxuries close to home.

Get Into Town

Staycation. Hometown tourism. Residential resort. Call it what you will, this year you're taking time off without packing your bags. But even if you're trying to cut back on expenses, don't go shortchanging your downtime--plan for this vacation like you would any great getaway.

The upside? You don't have to worry about shampoo leaking inside your luggage.

Do the house and the yard before you start your vacation.
Treat yourself like a special guest with fresh flowers and breakfast in bed.
Clear your calendar and don't schedule anything but fun.
Go see those places you've been meaning to get to.
Stock the freezer with quick and easy meals to cut down on kitchen time.
If you truly, madly, deeply need to get away, check into a local hotel or B&B for a night. Look for special mid-week rates and spa/theater/dining/shopping packages.
Got kids? Hire a babysitter and sneak away with your sweetie for a relaxing evening alone.

Taste the World

What's one of the best parts about traveling? Sampling new foods! Check out these ideas for dining your way around the world without having to translate the menus.