Christina Pellegrini

Ah, your 20s! That golden decade of finding yourself personally, professionally, and, well… if you’re smart—financially. Sure, figuring out your money situation might not be the most enjoyable part of being in your 20s, but arguably, it might be the most important.

Each year, when the leaves start to turn and pumpkin-flavored treats become ubiquitous, we start to think about Thanksgiving and its iconic fall spread. How can your mouth not start watering at the thought of apple pie, roasted turkey, and caramelized harvest veggies? But let’s be honest, Turkey Day is a TON of work.

Sometimes, there’s no beating being home for the holidays: quality time with family and old friends, cozying up into your childhood digs, and, of course, mom’s cooking. But over the years, the downsides of family get-togethers start to become more apparent: being volunteered as the party babysitter, steering your Aunt Marlene away from the eggnog, biting into a bad batch of grandma’s gingerbread cookies… you get the picture.

With Labor Day come and gone (it always happens so fast, doesn’t it?) we can’t help but feel those end-of-summer blues. But just because school’s back in session, that doesn’t mean the rest of us can’t jet off to enjoy those last fleeting warm days. Choose your location wisely, and you could avoid high-season crowds and overpriced hotels, all while soaking in those late summer days.