Yes, we've been telling you to hold on to your money this year as you navigate the economic apocalypse.

But now we're changing our tune, because stressful times call for vacations! And with 71 percent of companies cutting their travel budgets, you need to take matters into your own hands if you want to escape your sunless cubicle. Thankfully, there are some awesome deals and ideas out there that even the poorest among us can take advantage of.

City Slickers
Thank your stingy company for the deals abounding in cities this spring.

"Because of the reduction in business travel, there are bargains galore in cities like San Francisco, Chicago and New York City," says Julie Gallaher, publisher of travel-recommendation site "Things You Should Do." "For example," she continues, "you can stay at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City for as little as $175 per night. The San Francisco Hilton has specials available for less than $100 per night and rooms at Chicago's Drake Hotel are as low as $95 a night. The money you save on your hotel can be used for spa days, shopping and dining."

B&B With the Besties
If you're craving a girlfriend getaway, signing up for a bed-and-breakfast package could be a great option.

"Girls can enjoy a culinary or wine-tasting course, music or art lessons ... as well as wellness and holistic retreats or active packages that involve biking or hiking," says Alice Suh, PR coordinator at BnbFinder.com. "There's even a murder-mystery weekend, tea parties or a writing-course workshop. The best part is that it saves so much money to sign up for these packages because, unlike hotels, a gourmet breakfast is always included and the free amenities make it easy to feel like you're splurging when you're not."

On BedandBreakfast.com, you can find more deals for B&Bs around the country, like a $399 girlfriend getaway to New Orleans that includes breakfast, a day at the spa, a cocktail walking tour, streetcar passes, coupons to shops and venues, and more.

RV Roving
When was the last time you took a road trip? Revisit semi-roughing it this spring with an RV, suggests Janet Groene of SoloWomanRV.blogspot.com.

"Rental RVs are easy to drive, sleep four to six, and take you sightseeing in the city or wilderness. Rentals cost as little as $24 a night plus fuel and campground fees -- a huge bargain over hotel stays. Resort campgrounds have pools, spas, restaurants, fly-fishing guides, game rooms and a whole galaxy of features to suit every woman's taste."

Visit GoCampingAmerica.com to find a park in your area and CruiseAmerica.com for RV-rental deals.

Adventures Abroad
Guess what? Europe's economy is in the crapper now too! That means you can get more for the U.S. dollar there than in recent years.

You can get airfare to London for as little as $446 round trip, and week-long hotel and airfare packages are going for $1,000. Barcelona, Madrid and Paris all have vacation packages for under $1,000 at Expedia. And once you're there, instead of spending on trolley tours, get a self-guided tour off iJourneys.com, which offers iPod/MP3 audio walking tours throughout European cities for $14.95.

If you'd rather head down under, where the exchange rate also favors the dollar, Air New Zealand is offering a "two countries for the price of one" travel deal where you can fly to New Zealand and Australia for only $798 if you book by March 2nd and travel between May 1st and September 21st.

Tell us: Are you planning to take a vacation this year despite the economy? Have you found any good deals?