Cutting Expenses On Your Vacations By Renting A Cottage


By: Joe Goertz


Families decide to cut out their summer vacation, because summer is the optimal time to take school-age children on a holiday, and a great chance for parents to soothe their frazzled nerves. Nixing a vacation may save money, but it can also result in higher tensions and stress since they did not take a much-needed break from daily life.

If you want to cut costs while still taking a vacation, you should consider renting a cottage. Many cottages are available that can house up to fourteen people, so sharing it with family or friends can be a very effective way to take that vacation on a tight budget, while enjoying your vacation with the people you love.

The primary concern with this arrangement is the decision as to who is responsible for what, such as grocery shopping, laundry duties, cooking expectations, cleaning duties and other chores that are included in a cottage vacation. Even with family and friends, problems can arise if every person’s expectations are not the same. If you work out these differences before the vacation, you can avoid turmoil during and after the trip.

Renting a cottage for a vacation is an option that is widely available across the globe. Some of the cottages are part of larger resorts in popular destinations, but even those usually retain their cosy feel. In addition, many private owners rent out their cottages for the summer. Some privately-owned cottages are managed by a private rental company.

If you choose to rent from a private owner or company, there are some things you should consider before officially renting the cottage. If something in the cottage needs to be repaired, would it be your responsibility to fix it or theirs? If they perform the repairs, how can you contact them and how quickly could they be expected to make the repairs? What are the terms of the lease? Is the cottage furnished, including small appliances and linens, or are you expected to bring your own? In addition, find out if there is a security deposit required upfront. If there is, ask what condition you must leave the cottage in to get your full deposit returned.

Some cottages and pet and children friendly; others are not. If you plan on bringing your pets or children, make sure that the cottage allows them. If you are booking without seeing the cottage in person, make sure to ask for the most current photos of the property and a thorough description of the cottage. Ask for a floorplan if one is available.

Renting a cottage can be done on almost any budget, from the most elaborate to the smallest. How much a rental will cost varies greatly depending on location, size of the cottage, and time of year. If you can arrange a vacation before or after summer, you may be able to save hundreds of dollars by renting in the off season. This option may not be the best choice for families with school-age children, but it is worth considering.

If you plan on vacationing at a popular destination, a vacation in the off season would have the additional advantage of smaller crowds. If you’d like to take a break without breaking your budget, consider a cottage vacation.

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