We've all been on those vacations. You know, the ones where after paying for the hotel, rental car, airfare, amusement park fees, and food you've managed to spend a summer's worth of rent or mortgage.

The military is trying to make vacationing, locally and abroad, a bit easier with an array of options that aren't going to break the bank. Here are a few tips for finding the right place to spend the weekend or a few weeks reconnecting with a loved one following a deployment or getting away from all of the stresses being in garrison might bring.

For just a quick overnight stay, it may be worth it to check out the recreational cabins along the shores of American Lake on North Fort Lewis. If the need to get a little bit of rest and relaxation requires a longer stay at a resort, then perhaps taking a look at the Armed Forces Vacation Club is a better fit - whether you're looking at going to some exotic location along the equator or staying right here in Washington.

The vacation club offers condominium rentals for $299 a week at a variety of locations within less than 200 miles - including Manson, Chelan, Leavenworth, Glacier, Blaine, Ocean Shores, Ocean Park, Port Townsend, Seattle, Copalis Beach, and Union. If you're itching for a change in scenery, there are a host of rentals in virtually every locale within the United States as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, Australia, Europe, and many other places.

The best tip for finding the best deals for travel is to plan ahead. The Armed Forces Vacation Club requires 30 to 90 days advanced booking for lodging whether spending a long weekend locally or planning a longer trip abroad. The same holds true for military resorts in Korea, Hawaii, Germany and Florida. Discounted lodging is available at all four resorts, but waiting lists are long.

Some other travel tips from Vacationspot.com include:

• Look for vacation rentals instead of booking additional hotel rooms for family members.

• Plan to eat in as often as possible. Most travelers spend more daily on food and beverages than on lodging.

• Bring your own entertainment - from golf clubs to Rollerblades.

• Keep gas prices down by traveling to destinations within a few hundred miles.

• Look for free fun from hiking to lying out on the beach.

• Book vacations during nonpeak travel time.

• Go with friends and take turns baby-sitting each other's children.

Perhaps the best tip of all is to take the time to enjoy your vacation. Booking too many activities can burn the family out and eliminate any true opportunity to relax.