We’ve made it to August, the final stretch of summer, and potentially the quietest your inbox has been all year. With seemingly everyone on vacation, you may be wondering: How can I go somewhere? Is it possible to take a vacation as a freelancer? Are vacations only for the non-self-employed?

Don’t fret: Freelancers can go on vacation, too. Here are some hacks for planning a vacation — from affordability, to how to remind yourself that you can (and should!) take breaks sometimes.

1. Think of your dream destination — then find a comp
   Do you dream of going to Paris? Barcelona? Tokyo? If you don’t have the time or budget to go to one of your bucket list destinations, think about what it is that attracts you to thfem in the first place. Are you looking to log some leisure time on the beach? Want to immerse yourself in a city with a different culture than your own? Are you in search of the best meal you’ll ever eat, or let’s be real, five of them? Odds are good that even if you can’t make this one the dream vacation, you can find the qualities you’re looking for in smaller, lesser known places. If Denmark, for example, feels like a reach, there’s always Solvang.
   
2. Consider a housing swap
   If you’ve seen The Holiday, then you know exactly what we’re talking about. But you don’t have to live in a Nancy Meyers movie to swap houses with someone who lives in a place unlike your own. Swapping houses with someone with whom you’ve vetted can be a great way to explore somewhere new while lowering costs. You can search for a house swap within your existing networks, or through sites like Home Exchange or Live Kindred. And for animal lovers, you might want to try Nomador or TrustedHouseSitters, which allows you to stay in someone else’s house for free, in exchange for pet-sitting services.
   
3. Open a separate savings account specifically for your trip
   Especially for freelancers — and freelancers in this economy — setting aside funds for something special can be difficult. We recommend going to the bank and opening a savings account purely for that trip you want to take. If you set aside funds over time specifically for the trip, it won’t feel like such a gut punch when you put down payments — and you won’t have to worry that it’s money that could or should be going to something else, either.
   
4. Go somewhere you can write off on your taxes
   We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: We recommend going somewhere that you can use in your work, or a place you can conduct business while there, so you can write it off on your taxes. Don’t forget: Keep detailed records of your expenses! 
   
5. Use your credit card points (wisely)
   Depending on your credit card company, you may be able to use credit card points or frequent flier miles to get discounts or gain extra perks for your trip. That said, make sure you’re being careful when using your credit card to rack up points; the last thing you want is to find yourself falling into credit card debt in an attempt to get points for a trip.
   
6. Find an off-peak time to travel
   If you missed out on summer travel this season, use it to your advantage. Find an off-peak time to visit some of those destinations you have in mind. September or October in a beach town can be even more rejuvenating than a summer visit, and you’re much more likely to get a great deal. One benefit of being a freelancer is you're not necessarily beholden to regular rhythms of the calendar year; use it to your advantage.
   
7. Give your clients plenty of notice
   It’s understandable to be anxious about stepping away from your work for a week or two, but letting your clients know well ahead of time can ensure that you won’t get any last minute assignments tossed your way. Plus, recharging and taking breaks will not only bring you back to your work refreshed, it shows your clients that you’re established enough to feel comfortable stepping away.

No matter where you go, when you go, or what sort of trip you take, the important thing to remember is that as a freelancer, you still deserve vacation days — even if you have to carve them out yourself.