We are wiser now then we used to be before the recession. We pay attention to sales and special offers; we try to spend within our means and try to avoid maxing out our credit cards. At the same time we want to still enjoy life and treat ourselves! With the economy still trying to recover, we are all trying to find ways to save. Many families both in the USA and in Canada are deciding to postpone a family vacation or to choose a staycation (a vacation closer to home) instead.

We need to get the best value for our money. And that is exactly what corporate housing/furnished rental providers can help us with. Those companies offer fully furnished condo apartments in upscale condo buildings in some of the best areas of the city at a fraction of of a typical hotel room cost.

You can rent spacious designer decorated condo apartments that are more than double in size than typical 350 square feet hotel rooms and offer two separate bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a pull-out sofa bed in the living room, 2 TVs, and fully equipped kitchens from as low as $150 - $200.00 CAD a night for the whole family.

Do not forget that most Toronto furnished rentals include wireless internet, cable TV, unlimited local calls, and unlimited use of the in suite washer/dryer. Some of the nicest Toronto short term rental providers offer an assortment of water, soft drinks and juices and a gift basket with sweets and snacks upon arrival - so that you don't have to run to the convenience store and buy $ 3.00 bottle of water and $ 5.00 bag of chips if the kids start the usual and infamous "I want a drink, I want some candy and chips, I want..."

Such suites (also known as corporate suites, executive suites and executive accommodations) offer more space, privacy, flexibility, and cost savings compared to conventional hotel accommodations. At the Toronto Hilton Internet access is $19.95 CAD plus taxes per night per computer, a bottle of in-room water is $6.00 plus taxes, local telephone calls are $1.00 each.

Furnished suites provide a comforting feeling of being at home and feature upscale and modern furniture, premium bedding and towels, and such little necessities as big screen Plasma LCD TV in the living room, second Plasma LCD TV in the master bedroom, DVD/VCR with remote, stereo system with CD, iPod/MP3 docking station with an alarm clock, cordless phone and a bedside radio alarm clock in each bedroom.

The major plus for most families and couples is a convenience of having a fully stocked kitchen with full size dishwasher, full size fridge, full size stove wit a built-in oven, microwave, toaster, tea kettle and coffee maker as well as dinnerware, cookware, silverware, glasses and numerous kitchen utensils. Coffee or tea in downtown Toronto can cost you between $1.30 (Canada's Iconic Tim Horton's Coffee) to over $6.00 (hand-mixed Starbucks creation).

Breakfast downtown Toronto for a family with 2 kids can cost anywhere from $35 to $70 CAD after taxes. If you get some basic breakfast supplies at a corner grocery store your breakfast would cost you $15-25 and you will save a ton of time as well! Furnished suites include a full-size washer and dryer that you can use at no extra charge, iron, and an ironing board, built-in safe even such little things as hair dryers and bath scales.

While planning your next visit to Toronto save yourselves some money! Consider Toronto short-term rentals and spend the money that you save on shopping and on dining out.