After realizing it was costing too much in airfare to fly from Virginia, I decided to buy a house in Florida. It was a win win situation. Cost of living was cheaper AND airfare is usually well under $300 r/t. Add on a hotel that is less than $100/nt and I have myself a week in Jamaica for less than $1000.00. Now finding someone to keep the kids is a whole other problem.
Pre-kids, I would be totally irresponsible and just go to Jamaica whenever I felt like it...granted I wouldn't be able to afford to pay the electric bill when I got back, but I was young then and didn't really careI knew I could make it until next pay day. No worries. Oh the carefree life.
These days I just get coffee at the office instead of Starbucks. Hardly ever eat out. Don't go out much because I know the drink tab alone here in the states is usually about $60 for 1 night. The little things add up!