1. Rent workout DVD’s on Netflix. If you’re not currently subscribed to Netflix, check it out. There are multiple levels of membership and you can join for as little as $8 a month. Netflix have hundreds of workout videos, including Pilates, cardio, kickboxing, strength training, yoga, dance, and much more. You can keep them as long as you’d like. Another benefit is that many of these videos have been reviewed by other members, so you won’t waste time on the bad ones. It’s a great way to keep your workouts varied and to prevent plateaus!

2. Find a group exercise class. Take another look at the exercise class schedule at your gym, rec center, or local yoga/Pilates studio. Also, if your company or condo has a fitness facility and offers classes, take advantage of them. The social aspect will keep you motivated and the cost is usually little to nothing.

3. Purchase some home equipment during Best Buy discount sale. Resistance tubes, dumbbells, medicine balls, balance discs and kettlebells are affordable and can easily be stored or transported. Use your workout DVDs or fitness magazines for exercise ideas, or have a personal trainer come in to teach you some basics that you can do on your own.

4. Get involved in sports or group activities. Have you been thinking about joining a running group, volleyball team, dance class or just going on more hikes? Again, the social atmosphere will help get you motivated and you will meet like-minded people. Plus, when an activity feels less like exercise and more like fun, it is usually easier to keep doing it. Just try to avoid the teams that go out partying afterward (or at least try to be reasonable in what you consume). It will help your waistline and wallet.

5. Take advantage of group personal training, shorter sessions for half the price, and/or online training and coaching. Luckily, Ask your friends for referrals for trainers, or check with your gym to see if they have any specials. Many fitness facilities are suffering from the downturn as well, and they may be more likely to cut you a deal.

Vacations can quickly get very expensive, especially when you’re forced to dine out for every meal. You can soon find that feeding a family of hungry mouths when dining out can be bad for your wallet as well as your waistline! A great way to get around this problem and save money is to book self-catering accommodation, sometimes known as self-contained accommodation. Find out how to save money and get the most from your next vacation.

You don’t need anyone to tell you that vacations can be expensive. The costs of travel, accommodation, dining out and activities rapidly add up. However, if you are smart about saving money on food and accommodation you will have more left over to do the activities and attractions you really want to enjoy.

For the purposes of this article, we shall use a Florida vacation, which is one of the most favorite vacation destinations in the United States. The good thing about Florida is the wealth of things to do; from amusement parks to the Everglades, a vast variety of interesting adventures await you. The wonderful thing is that a lot of the attractions in Florida are free or available at a nominal cost. A day at the beach will not cost a thing and a visit to the Everglades won’t cost very much at all. Since you are saving a lot of money on holiday accommodation and food the cost of entry to attractions won’t seem as bad.

The best part about Florida for this example is the number of vacation rental properties available. Although they offer far more space and privacy than a hotel, many holiday houses and condos are actually cheaper for stays of more than a few nights. Many are available for only $100 a night! What is spectacular about this price is the fact that you get a whole house for less than the cost of a hotel room. In addition to more room, you will have more privacy. One great part of renting vacation properties is that many of them have a pool or access to a pool; often they have hot tubs as well. Why pay more money for a single shared hotel room when you can have a whole house with all the space and comforts for the same price or less. Holiday accommodation has never been so easy!

Another attractive aspect that vacation rentals afford is the central locations many are in. Getting a condo or house in central Florida allows you to visit sites all over the state, if you wish. In or near central Florida, you will be within reasonable driving time of many attractions, including the ocean. From the Orlando area, it is very easy to reach all the major theme parks such as Disney and Universal and other places. This is just one of the many benefits to booking self-contained holiday accommodation in Florida. Self-catering is the best part of a Florida vacation; while renting your own vacation property, enjoy home-cooked meals instead of paying outrageous prices at the glitzy restaurants. Don’t think you have to eat fast food just because of your budget; enjoy steak and barbecued chicken in your own private yard. The benefits of self-catering include the ability to have a large breakfast before heading to a theme park; this way, you only need to get lunch and a snack while at the park and can be home for dinner.

Enjoying your vacation will be far easier if you save money on things like accommodations and food. Save your money for what you value the most such as experiences and fun attractions. The benefits of self-catering will include a variety of dinners while vacationing, an avoidance of fast foods, home-cooked meals, and money saved. Enjoy your vacation by saving money with self-catering.