Comments on: Military: Save Money With (Almost) Free Vacations http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/ Saving, Earning, and Investing Money Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:22:17 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Anne Leon http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-148682 Anne Leon Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:08:53 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-148682 we w0ould like to go to disneyworld or disneyland around christmas time, but I dont even know how to get started/ how do i start? we w0ould like to go to disneyworld or disneyland around christmas time, but I dont even know how to get started/ how do i start?

]]> By: jennifer http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-131389 jennifer Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:14:39 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-131389 lazy,thanks for the info. Iam looking to save $ on our next military vacation to hawaii. We just got back from Disney World. They are offering a free 5-day pass for the military and that person can purchase up to five more passes for $99 each. Now thats a bargin they are also offering 40% resort stay and a $75 gift card if you go on your birthday. We took advantage of all of these. lazy,thanks for the info. Iam looking to save $ on our next military vacation to hawaii. We just got back from Disney World. They are offering a free 5-day pass for the military and that person can purchase up to five more passes for $99 each. Now thats a bargin they are also offering 40% resort stay and a $75 gift card if you go on your birthday. We took advantage of all of these.

]]> By: escapee http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-83430 escapee Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:43:51 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-83430 don't forget you can also get discounted tickets to attractions in different cities as well! http://mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/itt.html don’t forget you can also get discounted tickets to attractions in different cities as well!

http://mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/itt.html

]]> By: Tom http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-83029 Tom Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:37:57 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-83029 Lazy - I didn't realize your wife is in the military. So am I. My wife and I went to Hawaii (space A) and stayed at the Hale Koa for our honeymoon. It was a great time. I don't remember the exact cost but we had an awesome three week vacation at a great price. We have also done Shades of Green a couple times. It is great and inexpensive. Lazy – I didn’t realize your wife is in the military. So am I.

My wife and I went to Hawaii (space A) and stayed at the Hale Koa for our honeymoon. It was a great time. I don’t remember the exact cost but we had an awesome three week vacation at a great price.

We have also done Shades of Green a couple times. It is great and inexpensive.

]]> By: Maria @ Financial-Tip http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-82897 Maria @ Financial-Tip Thu, 24 Apr 2008 17:40:45 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-82897 When my DH was active duty USMC, we stayed in the guest cottages in Camp Lejuene for a few days. It was lovely and the price was right! When my DH was active duty USMC, we stayed in the guest cottages in Camp Lejuene for a few days. It was lovely and the price was right!

]]> By: budgets are sexy http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-82866 budgets are sexy Thu, 24 Apr 2008 15:25:05 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-82866 OH how i miss the military benefits! My dad was in the Marine Corps, and we used to take advantage of alllll those! While some are more adventurous than others (such as the stand-by flights), there are loads of pennies to save :) OH how i miss the military benefits! My dad was in the Marine Corps, and we used to take advantage of alllll those!

While some are more adventurous than others (such as the stand-by flights), there are loads of pennies to save :)

]]> By: M. http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-82786 M. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:39:10 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-82786 Ah, Navy Lodge. I miss them! My dad was retired military and we stayed in Navy Lodges all over the Northeast when I was a kid. Because of the cheap rates and kitchenettes, we were able to take longer summer vacations than we could have otherwise. I'm envious that you get to stay in them now! Ah, Navy Lodge. I miss them! My dad was retired military and we stayed in Navy Lodges all over the Northeast when I was a kid. Because of the cheap rates and kitchenettes, we were able to take longer summer vacations than we could have otherwise. I’m envious that you get to stay in them now!

]]> By: irina http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-82768 irina Wed, 23 Apr 2008 23:59:33 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-82768 Thanks, LM. It reminded me that I was told several times to contact military bases for contract work as a family entertainer. As a professional entertainer, I can take a free cruise and take one friend along too. I have not done it yet, but I have the offers on the table to do that when I am ready. If you are not an entertainer, but can teach a class or give lectures, it is possible to get a free or very discounted cruise too. Thanks, LM. It reminded me that I was told several times to contact military bases for contract work as a family entertainer.

As a professional entertainer, I can take a free cruise and take one friend along too. I have not done it yet, but I have the offers on the table to do that when I am ready.

If you are not an entertainer, but can teach a class or give lectures, it is possible to get a free or very discounted cruise too.

]]> By: Lazy Man http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-82760 Lazy Man Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:03:10 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-82760 Ryuko, don't get me started on the commissaries ;-) amazing savings to be had. Yes, we are looking at Travis to Hickam. The only downside that I forgot to mention about the Navy Lodge is the bed... I find that I have to bring an egg crate with me it's so rough. Luke, sorry, perhaps you can get some of the benefits if you have a friend in the military. For instance, my wife (before we were married) could sign up for the Navy Lodge and she could have gotten me a separate room as a civilian. Ryuko, don’t get me started on the commissaries ;-) amazing savings to be had. Yes, we are looking at Travis to Hickam. The only downside that I forgot to mention about the Navy Lodge is the bed… I find that I have to bring an egg crate with me it’s so rough.

Luke, sorry, perhaps you can get some of the benefits if you have a friend in the military. For instance, my wife (before we were married) could sign up for the Navy Lodge and she could have gotten me a separate room as a civilian.

]]> By: Luke F http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-82757 Luke F Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:57:33 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-82757 Any way that us normal civilians can use any of these things to our advantage? Definitely sounds like it would be something that would be great to have. Any way that us normal civilians can use any of these things to our advantage? Definitely sounds like it would be something that would be great to have.

]]> By: Ryuko http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-82747 Ryuko Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:42:27 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-82747 Like you've touched on, most bases that do Space-A flights have a pretty regular schedule to at least 2-3 destinations, just like the Travis-HI (I'd guess it's Hickam AFB on Oahu, smack right next to the int'l airport). I've never had the free time to go yet, but I figure once I retire, I should have no problem, say, grabbing a Space-A flight to Europe and just chillin around until a return flight becomes available :p. As far as the Navy Lodge, I've been in probably a dozen different ones. Since they're designed for transient families, every single room is, like you said, a decked out suite. They do vary significantly in quality, but most are about the same quality you'd expect at a Courtyard or Residence Inn, only much cheaper. Oddly I've noticed the Navy Lodges and Exchanges (mini-WalMart for the troops, for those who don't know what an Exchange is) are almost always much nicer, with a much more luxurious feel to them than those of other services. For some reason (a devious one, I suspect), most bases don't familiarize newcomers too well with the location of MWR and ITT facilities or how to use them -- but there's SOO much money you can save VS going out in town. Event tickets. Major theme parks. Camping/boating rentals. Even sailing certification classes, at a fraction of what you'd pay out in town. They say that, the more people who use these facilities, the more money they are willing to pump into the system. I've personally seen several MWR programs' funding cut because of lack of use. Remember, when the Big Guys in the government calculate how much they should pay and reimburse us, they also calculate in the value of MWR benefits, used or not, so we technically hurt ourselves if we waste a resource. Like you’ve touched on, most bases that do Space-A flights have a pretty regular schedule to at least 2-3 destinations, just like the Travis-HI (I’d guess it’s Hickam AFB on Oahu, smack right next to the int’l airport).
I’ve never had the free time to go yet, but I figure once I retire, I should have no problem, say, grabbing a Space-A flight to Europe and just chillin around until a return flight becomes available :p.
As far as the Navy Lodge, I’ve been in probably a dozen different ones. Since they’re designed for transient families, every single room is, like you said, a decked out suite. They do vary significantly in quality, but most are about the same quality you’d expect at a Courtyard or Residence Inn, only much cheaper. Oddly I’ve noticed the Navy Lodges and Exchanges (mini-WalMart for the troops, for those who don’t know what an Exchange is) are almost always much nicer, with a much more luxurious feel to them than those of other services.
For some reason (a devious one, I suspect), most bases don’t familiarize newcomers too well with the location of MWR and ITT facilities or how to use them — but there’s SOO much money you can save VS going out in town. Event tickets. Major theme parks. Camping/boating rentals. Even sailing certification classes, at a fraction of what you’d pay out in town. They say that, the more people who use these facilities, the more money they are willing to pump into the system. I’ve personally seen several MWR programs’ funding cut because of lack of use. Remember, when the Big Guys in the government calculate how much they should pay and reimburse us, they also calculate in the value of MWR benefits, used or not, so we technically hurt ourselves if we waste a resource.

]]> By: Kirk http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-82740 Kirk Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:15:21 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-82740 When I was active duty I used the Space A like a madman. I flew to Europe three times, Australia once, New Zealand once, and across the US twice. Also, I found staying in the BOQ was even cheaper than the Navy Lodge's, but they rarely have family quarters. Check out the Navy Lodge in Key West too. It is cheap and walking distance to Duvall Street. Military folks need to learn more about this as it is a great way to save. When I was active duty I used the Space A like a madman. I flew to Europe three times, Australia once, New Zealand once, and across the US twice.

Also, I found staying in the BOQ was even cheaper than the Navy Lodge’s, but they rarely have family quarters.

Check out the Navy Lodge in Key West too. It is cheap and walking distance to Duvall Street.

Military folks need to learn more about this as it is a great way to save.

]]> By: Writer's Coin http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/comment-page-1/#comment-82738 Writer's Coin Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:00:58 +0000 http://www.lazymanandmoney.com/military-save-money-with-almost-free-vacations/#comment-82738 Sweet! It only makes sense though, in addition to these kinds of perks people in the military should be paid more and be better taken over once their duty is up. Sweet! It only makes sense though, in addition to these kinds of perks people in the military should be paid more and be better taken over once their duty is up.

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