One day it dawned on me that I had really worn myself down with work and chores.  A vacation was sorely needed, but I had very little cash to cover the huge costs of a real vacation.  So I decided I would educate myself on every aspect of vacationing and getting as much for free or dirt cheap as possible.  Here is what I have learned and I now pass this info on to you so that you can benefit as I have for the last 10 years.

Real vacations cost real money.

Have you checked the price of a moderate vacation lately?  Prices can range from several thousand to ten thousand or more.  A high end vacation could easily run you $25,000 to $50,000 !  Even a cheapo cut rate vacation may end up costing you a Grand or two.

Companies will give you a free vacation.

That's right.  Free.  Your accomodations are covered and in many instances, even meals, travel and entertainment.  Start by asking your own companies Human Resources Department if they have any stress relief consolation packages available.  Larger companies have these little vacations like spa and ski vacations for their executives.  These packages are usually kept in strict secrecy, but the same packages can be available to general work pool employees if they find out about them.  You have to ask to find out.

If your company does not or will not offer you a stress package, then check out Major gambling establishments in places like Las Vegas & Reno & Atlantic City to name a few.  There are many.  Contact the PR desk and tell them that you would like to learn how to gamble at their casino and that you would be interested in a short comped package to see if they are as lucky as you have heard they were.  Casinos love new gamblers and they love to show you that their Casino is the one you should always be visiting.  I usually ask for a week, explaining that it might take that long to actually try all the tables, games and machines.  Usually they give me the week, all comped, including meals, though now and them I am offered a 3 day - 2 night package available any mid-week.  It depends on the season and the Casino agent you are speaking to.  Combine two Casinos near each other to make up a full week vacation, or multiples if you are taking a longer vacation.

I have even called one Casino from another one, complaining that I am unhappy and the new Casino has comped me a room and meals and even provided transportation to get me to their Casino!Thereby making my full week - Free.

Trade a few hours of your time for a free 3 day/2 nite mini-vacation.

Most large hotels and lodges, and quite a few medium sized ones,  have some sort of timeshare system in place.  If you call them expressing an interest in their timeshare program, they will offer you a 3/2 vacation at their expense.  These often do not include meals, but most times they include some sort of contential breakfast.  Transportation to and from is generally your responsibility, but if you solicite your mini-vacation nearby, say within a days drive, you can do the transportation quite cheaply.

I always ask for a 2 week vacation, making my point blunt.  If they want to sell me a timeshare, I want the free vacation as a bonus whether I decide to buy or not.  I always tell them at the time I am requesting my vacation that I will examine the facility for a few days, then accept a timeshare tour, then I will make my decision near the end of my vacation period.  I have NEVER been refused the FREE vacation accommodations, though I have had to accept 1 week or 10 days instead of the 2 weeks I wanted.

The timeshare salespeople can be impatient once in awhile, but I simply stand my ground, politely telling them that I haven't decided and that I will let them know as soon as I am sure what I have decided to do.  And I NEVER let them push me around.  Just keep your responses polite and walk away the second you finish telling them you will decide in a day or so.

In being a hard sell, they will often come and offer you additional goodies, such as free ballon rides, horse and carrige rides around the area, theater and show tickets Restaurant coupons or vouchers and much more.  ALWAYS accept the freebies, but immediately let them know you will are accepting them so you can see the local offerings and that you will still give them your answer in a few days.

How many times can you do this?

I have been taking 3/2 vacations at the rate of 12 a year and doubling a 3/2 in a local area for a pleasant 1 week vacation once a year for the past 10 years!  Mind you, I could easily spend the majority of a year mooching free timeshare vacations.  However, I do have a job and I do have to actually work, so mini-vacations are limited for me personally to 1 a month and full vacations to one a year.  Every 3rd year I work out a schedule for a 2 week vacation compliments of the various timeshares available.

Should you buy a timeshare?

WHY ???  Haven't I just explained how you can get your vacations at ANY timeshare for free?  Granted, I have been tempted by a few of the really nicer ones, and one that was a secluded lodge in the mountains on a lakefront.  BUT, I simply remember that I can keep my money in my pocket and let the timeshares comp me the accomodations.

Is there a catch?

Yes and no.  Yes, you have to allow them to try to sell you a timeshare.  They usually tell you the pitch is a 1 or 2 hour "tour", but they will try to keep you for hours till they get you to close the deal and sign timeshare contract.  I allow them the courtesy of 2 hours of my time as a fair exchange for the accomodations.  If I am actually interested or if I am bored or if I like the salespeople, I will allow them 1 additional hour.  But that's it.  2 hours ideally, 3 max.  After the alloted time I am willing to allow, I simply stand up, thank them for the tour, advise them that I will take everything under consideration and I WALK OUT.  Do not turn back and do not pause in your departure...no matter what they are saying as you leave.  If you feel you must respond to some departing comment they make, simply wave behind you, thank them and repeat that you will let them know in a day or two, and keep moving away.

You have your room but you want some extras for free.

This is my favorite tactic.  I usually give them 1 day after the pitch to call me with some extra free goodies.  If I haven't heard from them by about 2-3 pm, I call them asking if they have any restaurant coupons or show tickets or ski lift tickets.  I never discuss the timeshare, only requesting some local entertainment experience to help me in my decision process.  Only once was I ever refused any local extras, and I just thanked them and hung up.  I called the desk complaining thet there didn't seem to be much to do at this lodge and the desk attendant provided me with a certificate for a free meal at a local and very good restaurant.  Otherwise, the timeshare salespeople get all sorts of incentives from the local Commerce groups and from specific businesses to attract your business and get you to buy a timeshare.  All you have to do is know they are available and ask for them.

Additionally, some places can't or won't actually give you a totally free accomodations package, but they will offer you a 3/2 for about $100.00 or so.  This small charge is then deducted from your timeshare purchase should they actually talk you into investing in a timeshare.  The trend for this charge is becoming more popular among timeshare sales staff as it does give them some small income from those whose only intention was to get a free vacation for the price of a sales tour.  I personally refuse to pay it, and in most cases, they do cave in and give it to me for free. However, I have paid the fee for some upper scale timeshare accomodations in hotels that charge the uneducated as much as $1,500 per night for the same room I am staying in for free.  It's all good - and the fee is a small price to pay for an otherwise free vacation.

Well, I hope you have learned something from this guide.  Good luck on your future free vacations !!!!!