Take a vacation, America. You deserve it!
Page | 1 | 2 |

An industrious nation
We may be an industrious nation, but maybe it's not such a good idea to be so productive. Some of us, when we do take time off, are tethered to wireless communications such as BlackBerry devices and laptops so we can stay abreast of e-mail. How are we getting away from it all if we're staying on top of everything?

Tripp Friedler, author of "Free Gulliver: Six Swift Lessons in Life Planning," offers three reasons why Americans may decide to forgo their vacations this summer:

The first excuse may be valid if you're in over your head with payments for a large home and new car, etc., but you can always choose to live more modestly to free up money so you can explore America's national parks, Friedler points out. As for the second excuse, you may need to explore some ego issues. And if the third reason applies, he says, consider spending more time with your family members to reverse those sentiments.

Friedler's book itself explores possibilities that only a freed-up mind -- such as one that's enjoying a vacation -- can benefit from. It's an adventure of self-discovery, with some guideposts along the way to help readers attain clarity about how they should really be spending their time. It questions assumptions we may embrace without giving them much thought. For instance, what's more important: following your passion or doing what you do best? You might want to take along and read "Free Gulliver" on a three-hour flight or ride to or from your vacation destination so you can reset priorities when you get back.

Free up money
But do take a vacation. Try not to charge it. If you're strapped for funds this year, start setting aside money for next year. Save $25 or $50 a week by brown-bagging lunches to work. This strategy has a double benefit: You control the quality of your meals, which will likely result in healthier eating, and save money at the same time.

If you can convince your spouse to do the same, maybe you can save $75 or $100 a week and take that Alaskan cruise or fly to Thailand next year. Or maybe even visit London, to show the Brits that yes, we Americans know how to take a holiday, too.

To relax completely and profoundly once, even twice, a year is critical for our well-being. And we need to reaffirm that we are working hard for a reason: so that we can enjoy our lives. Right?

If you have a comment or suggestion about this column, write to Boomer Bucks.