* Set a vacation budget before leaving on the trip, and stick to it.

* Simplify your entertainment.  Instead of dinner at a restaurant, have a themed dinner at home.  Instead of a first-run movie out, rent a video to watch at home.  Visit your local library, play board games as a family, and enjoy sports together.

* Look for the best airfare deals on Internet travel sites.

* Rather than spending money to stay in a motel or hotel, go camping.

* Try to avoid borrowing whenever possible.  Never go into debt for a highly depreciating item, such as food, furniture, a luxury car, or vacations.  Make sure that any item you buy will last longer than the time it will take you to pay off the loan. 

* If you use a credit card for convenience, pay it off in full every month so you don't incur interest charges.  Choose a card that doesn't charge an annual fee.  If you need help paying down existing debt, call the Consumer Credit Counseling Service at 1-800-388-2227.

* Aim to save at least 5 to 10 percent of your net income.  Let the power of compound interest work in your favor.

* Choose a bank that will give you free accounts with no monthly service charges.  Check for teller and ATM mistakes and save your banking receipts.  Keep track of how  much money you have in your checking account so you don't bounce checks.