Ladies, look around the room. Four in 10 of the women around you are probably planning a girlfriend getaway as you read this.

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AAA said 39 percent of women polled said they're planning to getaway with a group of their female friends, and 24 percent of women have been on an all-girl vacation within the past three years.

Don't get jealous -- get packing. The leading reasons women want to take girlfriend getaways, according to AAA, are to bond with friends or family and to escape from their daily responsibilities. You don't have to spend a fortune to do either. Women told AAA that the most popular activities while on a girlfriend getaway are dining out, shopping, using spa services and going to the beach or pool.

There are great ways to escape the norm in every city, so if you're on a budget, look local first.

"No. 1 would be taking a night away with the girls in the city that you live in," said Renee Werbin, co-founder and publisher of Travel Girl. "Book a first-class hotel with a great spa. Just get away, even if it is just 24 hours, getting rid of the kids, getting rid of your partner, pack up your best friends with a little luggage and great bottle of wine."

Talk to your city's convention and visitor's bureau for ideas. A quick e-mail to Omaha's and Kansas City's marketing directors got back pages of ideas for cheap, easy vacations in those cities.

"Try out Manicure and Cosmo Night at Boozefish Wine Bar. Where else can you get a pedicure, sip a cosmopolitan and watch 'Sex & The City' for $20 at the same time?" wrote Laren Mahoney, the communications manager for the Kansas City Convention & Visitors Association.

On its Web site, KC also offers 33 things to do for free.

In Omaha, hotel rooms near the Old Market shopping and dining district start at about $110 a night. When you're ready to relax and bond, Sirens at the Loft offers massages starting at $50. Downstairs, Myth martini bar serves up shaken and stirred concoctions and live music.

Lean On Experts

Werbin said that if you're meeting girlfriends out of town, the best way to reduce stress and save money is to use a travel agent.

"Do your homework. Use the Internet as a tool and then call an agent," Werbin said. "A travel agent is trained to find you the best resources. She has more resources at her fingertips and she deals with people that are reputable. You can hold your travel agent accountable. You can't hold the Internet accountable."

Some of Werbin's top affordable destinations include Las Vegas. While the strip can be pricey, staying downtown or just out of town can save hundreds of dollars on housing, and there are restaurants and shows for every price point, she said. Out east, she said Philadelphia is full of history and museums with low-cost door fees.

Werbin also suggested a weekend cruise for affordable girl getaways. Arabella Bowen, the editorial vice president for ShermansTravel.com, seconds that.

"Short cruises are very popular and an affordable getaway. Plus, you can hit several destinations in one go -- great for friends who want to see a lot and not pay a lot," Bowen said.

Expedia.com lists deals on three- to five-night sailings to the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico from $199.

Sedona, Ariz., is sometimes known for its pricey spas on what some consider spiritual ground, but there are options to do Sedona on a budget, Bowen said.

"The Amara Resort and Spa offers the two-night Girls Get Grounded Getaway package for two, which includes personal quartz crystals, a $20 daily dining credit, complimentary wine and cheese, and options like facials, psychic readings, and yoga classes from $868," Bowen said.

Traveling Abroad

If you have time to head overseas, Eastern Europe offers all of the charm you'd expect from Austria, England and France, but at drastically reduced prices.

"Everything is still cheaper in Eastern Europe, even when you're living large at the most renowned hotels and restaurants," Bowen said.

The biggest obstacle to a girlfriend getaway may be coordinating the girls and figuring out exactly where to get away to. AAA's survey found that 85 percent of women said their top concern is finding a time that works for everyone, 80 percent said finding a destination within everyone's budget is tough and 26 percent said agreeing on a destination is difficult.

Werbin said the best way to combat those problems is to limit the number of travelers and try to match personalities for different destinations.

"You could be in trouble if you're a day person and you're out with night owls. Or you don't want to be on a golf package with girls that don't play," Werbin said.