Minimalist Camping: How to Vacation on a Budget

If you've got vacation time coming up, but can't afford to rent that beach front property you've been swooning after, think more simply. You can still go away and have a blast, and your bank account won't cringe in horror. If you've been camping before, good for you! These money saving tips will be something you can store away for the future...if you haven't, seriously consider it.

Camping is fun, and it's something virtually anyone can afford with a bit of creative thinking.

First, pick a spot to camp. You can find a sweet spot in your backyard, but if you're intent on getting away check out camp grounds in the area. For less than twenty bucks you can find a plot to call home for a long weekend, and all you have to do is show up with the right supplies. Some camping sites offer cabins that have luxuries like running water, and electricity, but they will be a bit more pricey compared to a plot.

Head to your local food market and only get what you need. Camping food can be easy to pick out – canned goods work best, hot dogs and hamburgers, things that won't go bad or don't need refrigeration, and of course the workings for s'mores can all be purchased either on sale, or at store brand names that cost less, but taste the same.

If you have zip when it comes to camping gear, buy used or rent equipment to save on cost. If you're planning a trip for the future, remember that purchasing goods off season means they will cost less. If you have friends that camp, don't shy away from asking them to borrow a tent or two! Any time I've gone camping I've ended up swapping or borrowing something from a friend, whether it was a set of cooking tools or a larger tent.

Don't purchase activities for your trip; instead, let nature amuse you. Go for walks and try to identify trees and plants (you can check books out from the library that name them) or set up a scavenger hunt. Go fishing, or rent a paddle boat at little to no cost (if there's a body of water around that is..) You can also tell stories and jokes around the fire, or just sit and enjoy the serenity of the forest.

Camping isn't about saving money, but getting back to nature. The part that appeals to so many folks however, is the fact that it's economically friendly and fits the budget of virtually anyone.

Think how much you are saving by not staying at a hotel and eating out at restaurants!