If it’s taken you years to save enough money to afford a family vacation, then you probably want to make sure you get your money's worth when purchasing airfare and finalizing accommodations. A few years ago I planned a vacation to Miami, FL and got a great deal at a resort because I knew someone who could give me a discount. I am planning on returning to Florida this year but no longer have that connection, and I am finding that resort vacationing in Florida is rather pricey. I was stressed out for a while until a friend asked me if I considered renting a vacation home. I began to do a little research and found that I could rent a house very close to the beach with a lot more space for several hundred dollars less than a resort.