Rescue your summer vacation with these money-saving tips

Summer vacations. In tough times, they're often the first things to go. Or the first to get cut back. But it's times like these when you need a vacation more than ever. To help you take that much-needed getaway, we've put together 10 money-saving tips:

1—Visit family or friends.

Make vacation plans near family or friends you can stay with. That way, you can visit loved ones and possibly explore a new part of the country. Staying with someone you know can save you hundreds of dollars on hotel costs—which can be higher than the cost of a roundtrip airline ticket. In return, you might offer to help out in some way. Pay for groceries. Take them out to eat. Cook them a meal. And let them know you can go exploring on your own. But invite them along, in case they'd like to go.

2—Take a vacation with your friends or extended family.

Have a group of friends or extended family members who want to take the same trip as you? Do you get along well? If so, invite them along. Depending on your vacation and the size of your group, you might qualify for discounted group rates. Or consider renting a condo or a suite instead of individual hotel rooms to save money. Condos and suites often have kitchens, so you can cook or prepare your own meals rather than always eating out. That'll save you even more.

3—Swap homes with someone in another city.

Your city might be another person's travel destination. And vice versa. So check out websites that connect people who are willing to offer their home to you in exchange for staying in yours. Some of these sites charge a low yearly membership fee. But otherwise, the house swapping itself is an even trade. Using the other person's vehicle may also be included in the deal. So there'd be no need to rent a car.

4—Work a vacation into your business trip.

Taking a trip for work? To a place you've wanted to visit? If your company's already paying for the plane ticket, why not stay a few extra days? Most companies will allow this if the return flight doesn't cost more—or costs less. Then you'll only need to pay for a hotel room and car rental. You might consider switching hotels if your company's been paying a pricey conference rate. Or stay, if you're getting a corporate discount that the hotel will continue to honor.

5—Look for far-out vacation spots close to home.

No matter where you live, you'll likely find fun and unique vacation destinations nearby. Check out your state's travel and tourism site to see what's close to you. Or if you're within several hours of another state, visit their tourism website. Live near a bigger city? You could find out if they offer free admission days to their museums or zoos. Just be sure there aren't any big events going on when you plan to visit. That could raise hotel and other rates.

6—Plan a getaway by staying in your own city.

Your town or city can offer you the most affordable vacation options. Because 1) you won't have to drive too far. 2) You don't have to stay overnight in a hotel. Unless you really want to. And 3) you can pack food or eat at home. Attractions offered by most cities: Summer concerts. Festivals. Museums. Art galleries. Zoos. Farms. Lakes or streams. Parks. Bicycle trails. Sporting events. Need more ideas? Just visit your city's tourism site.

7—Easily save money by roughing it.

Camping can be an inexpensive way to enjoy a vacation—especially for families. Campground rates are generally reasonable. You can make your own meals rather than eating out. And there's plenty of free fun. There's fishing. Hiking. Swimming. Tubing. And canoeing. If you don't plan on going camping regularly, consider borrowing the gear you'll need from friends or family to save money. If you want to make it a regular event, wait until the late summer or early fall to buy your equipment and find some great deals.

8—Chip in—and save—with a volunteer vacation.

Make your summer vacation even more meaningful. Base your vacation around community service. There are a number of opportunities across the country where you can volunteer in exchange for free food and lodging. Some places offer discounted housing nearby. Others charge a low registration fee to cover the cost of food and accommodations. But most times, all you need to do is pay for the transportation to get you there. For as little as you give, you could get so much in return.

9—Visit places in their off season.

Beaches, amusement parks, and other fun-in-the-sun destinations are hot spots during this time of the year. So consider going to places currently in their off season to save money. Areas around ski resorts are an option. So are places outside the U.S., such as the Caribbean and Mexico.

10—Count on discounts.

If you're a member of a travel group, you might be entitled to discounts at restaurants or hotels. Your credit card may also provide special deals on vacation travels. Check with both to see what they offer. There are also a number of discount websites offering last-minute deals. These are perfect if you're flexible and enjoy packaged vacations. Or just ask the place you'd like to visit if they're offering any special discounts. It couldn't hurt.