Make reasonable 'paidcation' plans.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

Rapidly rising fuel costs and a slow economic recovery have the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies, Fairfax, Va., advising consumers this summer to fund their vacations fully for a "paidcation."

"Adding vacation expenses to what, for many, are significant debt loads is never a good idea," indicates David Jones, president. "This is particularly true for a nonmandatory expense such as a summer vacation."

AICCCA offers the following tips for a paidcation:

* Determine your budget. Calculate what you will have saved before the scheduled vacation and then plan your trip and activities based on the amount.

* Adjust expectations. You may have decided on a beach vacation in Hawaii but, if your...