By Tyler Major-McNicol
Review Contributor
Rising food and fuel costs are unravelling summer plans and calling for a change to the game-plan for some area vacationers.
While the warmer weather is upon us and summer trip planning has begun, inflation will inevitably be a part of the discussion when she plans her vacation this summer says Andrée Lemieux, of Clarence-Rockland Township.
“I plan to have a family trip down to Alberta this summer for the Calgary Stampede,” Lemieux says of vacation plans with her husband. “However, with costs of seemingly everything rising high, our trip was decreased from a month to two weeks.”
A number of area residents said they are making lifestyle changes to deal with rising prices, such as taking on more shifts at work, or travelling to the cottage as opposed to high-mileage trips to far away places via air or car. Working more hours can affect quality family time, but does help supplement the increasing costs of life that cannot be avoided.
“I don’t buy less food or fuel because of the prices,” noted Brad Prieur, a resident of Limoges. “They are essential needs for everyday life.”
For those without a cottage, postponing a big trip to next year can often make sense.
“I think most people will think twice about how far from home they will go,” Prieur said. “Most people should save the big trips for another year and do things closer to home.”
With prices rising rapidly, it is difficult to avoid spending more money on fuel, but it can be reduced by travelling locally. Camping at a local park, as opposed to out of province can help cut costs, while providing virtually the same experiences.
While there may be no choice to pay whatever it costs in fuel to get back-and-forth, staying close to home will reduce the amount of petrol being burned. Local events, such as agricultural fairs and attractions within an hour’s drive of home can provide a very enjoyable weekend with minimal costs in fuel.
