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I haven't gone anywhere on spring break in years. That's partly because my family and I prefer to take a big vacation in the summer - we're beach people so we like to take a trip when it's really, really warm.
Another reason, though, is because I have one kid in college and one in high school and their spring breaks are a month apart. So I actually have two spring break stay-cations every year. Then we all go on vacation together in the summer.
Whether it's a scheduling issue or you simply don't have the funds right now, don't get down about all the articles telling you how to live it up on spring break. There are plenty of us who are waiting for the summer to make a big splash.
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Here are four credit cards to help you kick up your heels without ever leaving your home town:
Cooking has its place, and certainly, you shouldn't eat out every night because that gets expensive in a hurry. But everyone needs a break from the hassle of planning meals, buying the groceries, and getting everyone to show up at the dinner table while the food is still hot.
One of the best cards for dining out is the Citi Forward Card. You earn five ThankYou Points for every $1 spent at restaurants as well as on books, movies, and music.
Sign-up bonus: Earn 10,000 bonus points after you spend $650 in purchases and sign up for paperless statements within the first three months. This is enough for $100 in gift cards, which you can save toward the summer vacation.
Interest rate: You get a zero percent intro APR for seven months; after that, you get a 12.99 percent, 20.99 percent or 22.99 percent variable APR, based on your creditworthiness. Earn up to a 2 percent purchase APR reduction when you stay under your credit limit and make your payments on time for three billing periods in a row.
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If your spring break is in April, not March, you can save money on movies with the Chase Freedom Visa - $200 Bonus Cash Back. You can get 5 percent cash back on up to $1,500 spent at movie theaters and grocery stores.
Those who are particularly bold might even stop by the grocery store (5 percent!) on the way to the movies and buy cheap snacks to avoid the outrageous candy bar prices at the theaters. Just stuff it in your pocket or extra-large handbag. Not that I'd ever do such a thing.
Sign-up bonus: You earn $200 cash back if you make $500 in purchases within your first three months. Not bad! Put the $200 in the vacation kitty for the summer.
Interest rate: You get a 15.99 percent to 22.99 percent variable APR, based on your creditworthiness. There's no intro rate, but just earn your $200 and don't carry a balance. The $200 will come in handy if you can take a vacation this summer. That's the way you take advantage of offers like this.
No, this doesn't have to be stuffy. The summer before my son started kindergarten, we decided to do a stay-cation here in Atlanta. My husband and I were both self-employed and the economy was a bit rocky. We went to Fernbank Science Center when they had a fabulous dinosaur exhibit.
If you have to drive a bit to get to the closest metro area, get a two-fer with the Discover More Card. You get 5 percent cash back on gas and entertainment on purchases up to $1,500. This bonus ends March 31, 2012.
Sign-up bonus: Alas, there is no sign-up bonus. But check out the lengthy zero percent APR intro period below.
Interest rate: Enjoy a zero percent intro APR on purchases for 15 months; after that, you get a 10.99 percent to 20.99 percent variable APR, based on your creditworthiness.
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I'm a baseball junkie. Fortunately, my family is into baseball, too and every summer, we go to a few baseball games. This doesn't have to get expensive. If you can't afford to see the pro team in your town, check out games for colleges or for minor league teams.
If your family isn't into sports, see what concerts will be in town during your spring break. Travel to the nearest metro area and have a blast. A few months ago I went to a Styx concert and I'm still dancing (in my head).
Visa Signature cards can offer special access to concert tickets as well as sporting events. If you have a card like Chase Sapphire Preferred, you can call the 24/7 concierge service and ask for assistance. Hey, you're on vacation even though you haven't left town. Make it as easy for yourself as possible. In fact, after you book the concert, ask the concierge to set you up for a massage.
Sign-up bonus: One of the best bonuses ever. You earn 50,000 points if you make $3,000 in purchases within your first three months. That's $625 toward travel expenses for this summer's vacation. Do you see the theme here? If you can't afford a spring break vacation, save up for a summer vacation.
Interest rate: You get a 15.24 percent variable APR. There's no intro rate, but again, hoard that $625 for your next vacay and don't carry a balance.
At publishing time, the Citi Forward Card, Chase Freedom Visa - $200 Bonus Cash Back Card, the Discover More Card, and the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card are offered on Credit.com product pages and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.
Image: Tetra Pak, via Flickr