TravelMuse & the Yaycation

TravelMuse, the "inspiration finder" travel site, has revealed a new widget, the cheesily titled "Yaycation Calculator." (No, this has nothing to do with cocaine, sadly.) Definition from TravelMuse: Yay·ca·tion [yāy-'kā-shən] (n) - the result of beating the odds to get away, relax and spend quality time with your nearest and dearest. Particularly satisfying when the economy “sucks.” Behind the "clever" title, there is a good concept. The calculator offers up different areas in which you can cut back: lattes, lunches, entertainment, spa treatments, gym memberships, and even groceries, and then adds it all up to create a Yaycation budget.

Once you’ve trimmed all the fat from your budget and settled on a final dollar amount for your Yaycation, the site will then search the trip vault to compile package deals and suggestions on where to go with your newfound savings. There’s even a bunch of Yaycation articles that highlight affordable vacations, give tips on saving money during vacations, and offer hints on how to ask for time off during the recession. Some of the more affordable options include an Everglade safari, in lieu of an African safari; hanging out in Chicago, rather than New York; and hiking Yosemite instead visiting Nepal. Whether you Yay, Nay, or Stay, 2009 sure is shaping up to be the year of the travel deal.