Save Money -- And Strengthen Family Ties -- With A Multi-Generation Vacation

When our daughters were 7 and 9 we rented a motor home for a month and took my parents to Michigan so my Dad could visit his sister and her family, plus many other relatives and lifelong friends of theirs along the way between WA and MI. My father was disabled by a stroke and early dementia and it was the last time he saw his relatives. 27 years later, our daughters still talk about the trip and the great time they had with their grandparents. My folks helped share expenses and it cost us all less than $100 a day. (Of course gas was much cheaper in 1984!) We made several shorter camping trips with them, too, letting them sleep in our small trailer while we slept in our tent.

I agree! I've been saying this since the economy has gone badly for so many. This will help us return to three or more generation families as we were only a generation or two ago. There are many advantages to this as Melanie shares in her article--like Grandma looking after the kids while Mom and Dad have alone time...or Grandma and Grandpa being close to a loving caring family while helping share expenses. We've grown too far apart and it may be time for us to learn how to come back together.