Vacations can be expensive with the cost of the gas or airplane tickets, meals, lodging and tickets to events. But not taking a break from work or from every day routines can be stressful. Is there a way to take a relaxing vacation without incurring a huge expense? The answer is yes. Why spend a boatload of money on a vacation when someone can relax at home during a ‘staycation’ which is an at-home vacation. Here are some tips for taking a relaxing, inexpensive staycation.
Plan the itinerary
Plan the staycation as though it were a regular vacation. Make a list of nearby attractions that are worth visiting. A staycation is the perfect time to see sites that normally would go unseen. Don’t overbook with unrealistic expectations though. In order for a staycation to be effective, it must be relaxing. Therefore, plan ample time for rest and rejuvenation. Some fun ideas for a staycation day trip are:
- sightseeing at local landmarks
- visiting a farmer’s market
- taking a trip to the city zoo
- fishing at a state park
- visit a dayspa and if that’s too pricy just book a massage
- try a new restaurant if the budget allows.
If money is tight, plan to have a family breakfast at a favorite restaurant or take the gang out for lunch. Plan a few game nights. This could include horseshoes in the backyard, marathon monopoly games, jigsaw puzzles, or card games like Thirty-one or Uno. Check to make sure all game pieces are intact. Don’t end up pulling out a board game when everyone is sitting around the table only to find out the dice are missing.
Check the local city website to see what events are taking place the week of the staycation. Make a list of concerts, festivals, lectures, museum exhibits or other special events that are occurring at that time. If advanced tickets are required, purchase them. Advance tickets are often less expensive than buying tickets the day of the event. Hit the public library if there are any readers in the family. Order specific books in advance so they’ll be in by the time the staycation comes around. Rent movies for the family to enjoy or check some DVDs out from the library at no charge. Ask friends and neighbors if they can recommend any nearby places to visit.
Before the big event
A staycation won’t be truly relaxing if the house is a mess. Take some time before the staycation to clean up the home. Do all laundry and make sure it is put away. If thorough house-cleaning is unrealistic, at least put things away and surface clean.
Shop for food before the staycation. If budgets are tight, restaurant meals every day are unrealistic. Make a menu of tasty foods to eat throughout the week and shop in advance. Better yet, make as many of the meals in advance as possible. Marinate and grill chicken breasts to put on salads and pop them in the freezer until mealtime. Chop up a variety of veggies to keep in the crisper and they’ll be ready for salads or sandwiches. Do as much advance preparation as possible before the staycation so there will be plenty of time for relaxing.
Unplug from the telephone, either landline or cell phone, and also unplug the computer. Neither vacations nor staycations will have an effective, relaxing atmosphere if someone is constantly working on the computer or talking on the phone. This includes instant messaging and texting too. Unplug all electronic devices or at least limit checking them to only once or twice a day.
Now, enjoy the staycation!
Susan Ayers - Susan Ayers, a former Training Designer for Circuit City Stores, Inc., is a freelance writer in Richmond, Virginia. Susan is the Richmond ...
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