You Can Buy Happiness: 61% of People Who Vacation Three Times Annually Are More Satisfied With Life

DENVER, CO--(Marketwired - Jul 9, 2013) - Whoever said you can't buy happiness must not have traveled much. According to Expedia's Vacation Happiness Survey, Americans report that vacations make them happier than their marriages, religion, weddings, birthdays and even their cats. Sorry, Fluffy. And when it comes to coping with the daily grind, the relationship between vacationing and happiness is staggering, with 71 percent of people who don't vacation reporting they also don't like their jobs. Yet, 61 percent of people who vacation at least three times a year report they are satisfied with life in general.

"Let's face it, we all love a good vacation, so it comes as no surprise that people who vacation more tend to be happier. But with rising costs of living it can be a financial burden to take one vacation a year, let alone three," said Lesley Kennedy, ShopAtHome.com senior managing editor. "That is why ShopAtHome.com is partnering with Expedia: to provide money-saving advice, unique and cost-effective vacation options and even the chance to win a family getaway."

Through their continued partnership, Expedia, Inc. and ShopAtHome.com will launch a travel sweepstakes and provide savings tips, travel advice and cost-effective travel ideas through a series of articles that will help vacationers every step of the way. Expedia and ShopAtHome.com are committed to educating consumers on how to maximize their savings and their time off -- from booking trips and dealing with airport security, to keeping the kids happy on long car rides, to getting the most of a hotel stay.

For those who have not yet booked summer travel, Expedia's Summer Sale recently kicked off, offering deals on hotels, packages and cruises. Plus, Groupon Getaways, an Expedia partner, provides savvy shoppers another great way to save when booking their travel plans. The deals follow Groupon's voucher model, so travelers don't have to travel immediately. Instead, travelers can book a hotel room at an exceptional rate and travel when they have the time. As if these already deeply-discounted vacation packages were not enticing enough, ShopAtHome.com is currently offering up to 7.5 percent Cash Back on Groupon Getaways, hotels and more through Expedia.com®. 

"The partnership between ShopAtHome.com and Expedia offers travelers added incentives to get away and invest in their happiness through travel," said Sarah Gavin, director of PR and social media for Expedia.com. "By coupling already discounted vacation options with Cash Back rewards and offering ShopAtHome.com customers expert travel advice and tips, travelers can save bundles and make the most of their summer vacations."

Americans who booked travel using ShopAtHome.com's Cash Back program earned nearly $220,000 in Cash Back rewards for summer travel in 2012. Even though ShopAtHome.com experts predict summer travel spending through their website to decline from $44 million in 2012 to about $35.5 million in 2013, they expect this summer's travel Cash Back rewards to rise to more than $225,000, due to increased travel incentives.

"At ShopAtHome.com, we are seeing steeper travel discounts and greater Cash Back offers," Kennedy said. "Knowing exactly when to book can bring in even deeper savings. If a traveler can be flexible and take advantage of short notice deals -- typically between 21 and 28 days prior to travel -- there are some amazing savings to be had."

To follow the travel series and learn of upcoming travel sweepstakes, visit ShopAtHome.com's Online Shopping Report or check out their current Expedia deals. If you have a travel question or topic that you would like to see covered on ShopAtHome.com, let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

About ShopAtHome.com
Founded in 1986 by husband-and-wife team Marc and Claudia Braunstein, ShopAtHome.com is the web's largest provider of online coupons, Cash Back rewards and printable grocery and restaurant coupons. The only destination integrating the best discounts from coupons, deals and Cash Back, the site has evolved from its early roots as the 'Catalog of Catalogs'. Throughout this transformation, the company has kept the same goal -- helping improve the shopping experience for millions of shoppers. As a true coupon powerhouse, ShopAtHome.com aims to provide the most savings to consumers whether they're shopping at the grocery store or at their favorite online retailer. For more information visit www.ShopAtHome.com.

About Expedia.com
Expedia.com is the world's leading online travel site, helping millions of travelers per month easily plan and book travel. Expedia.com (http://www.expedia.com/, 1-800-EXPEDIA) aims to provide the latest technology and the widest selection of vacations, cheap flights, hotels, car rental, cruises and in-destination activities, attractions, and services. With the Expedia Best Price Guarantee, Expedia.com customers can get the best rates available online for all types of travel.

Expedia, Expedia.com and the Airplane logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Expedia, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other logos or product and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners. © 2013 Expedia, Inc. All rights reserved. CST # 2029030-50