Vacations don’t have to be expensive, says Ric Romero, a consumer specialist. He says that renting timeshares are a great option for travellers who want to cut vacation costs.

Timeshares are great for family vacations, because they offer comfort and convenience at a lesser cost. And a recent report from ABC7 and Consumer Reports shows how you can enjoy a timeshare vacation without even buying a timeshare.

“In this economic downturn, timeshare owners are anxious to rent,” explained Mandy Walker of Consumer Reports. “So you can negotiate a really good deal. We found some as low as $400 a week and many in the $600 to $1,200 range.”

Timeshare renting is widely advertised on the internet. My Resort Network, Timeshare User’s Group, and Red Week are great sources of information about timeshare rentals.

“The sites we checked out have plenty of rent-from-owner listings and are categorized by location and even activities, like skiing or golf,” explained Walker. “Keep in mind that most timeshares require at least a weekend and sometimes a week-long booking.”