Staycation is the New Vacation
Feeling a little stressed these days? Juggling the “new normal” can have you dreaming of how to use those Paid Time Off (PTO) days. Even though the stay-at-home order has been lifted, you might not be comfortable with the idea of a “normal” summer vacation.
The average family will spend around $2,000 on their vacation. If you are vacationing with children, expect that number to be higher. If mouse ears are part of your plan, go ahead and triple that number. That is a lot of money! I don’t know how you feel, but I certainly wouldn’t want to shell out that much money while the world is collectively wondering what will happen next. Don’t despair, dear reader! You can still have your much-needed vacation while hanging on to those precious dollars. I put together some inexpensive staycation ideas that rival the very best summer destination get-away.
Home Sweet Hotel
The best part about being away is usually the hotel. You have a clean room, cozy sheets, maybe even room service; and, the best part of being back home is sleeping in your own bed. Now, you can have the best of both worlds. Plan your vacation dates, and schedule a one-time cleaning service (or go on a pre-vaca cleaning frenzy yourself) to make sure that when your R&R starts, cleaning won’t be on your to-do list. Splurge on a new set of hotel sheets and nice pillows. Your bedroom will feel like a high-end hotel in no time at all.
Take it a step further by creating your own spa day, enjoy a hot bath (if you have a soaking tub), or opt to lounge around in a bathrobe. You could even leave chocolate on your pillow.
Recreate the room service experience by having food delivered. You and your partner can even alternate “delivering” the meal to your room.
Speaking of food…
Even if you love to cook, you may want to consider ordering take out or delivery. You are saving a lot of money by not traveling, so there is no need to feel guilty about spending a little more on your meals. At the very least, prepare simple meals for your family for breakfast and lunch, and go all out on dinners. Fresh out of ideas?
Breakfast – oatmeal, breakfast burritos, pancakes or waffles, yogurt, fresh fruit, muffins, bagels, or toast
Lunch – sandwiches, soup, leftovers, cheese, and crackers
Another option is to plan your meals. When you are cooking during the weeks ahead of your vacation, make a double portion and freeze half. You can raid your freezer stash for a quick ready-made meal.
Don’t forget dessert! Create an in-home sundae bar. Set out bowls, cones, chocolate syrup, caramel, nuts, cherries, sprinkles, and whatever else you like on your ice cream.
Or, why not make brownies or cookies with your partner or children?
The great outdoors
Since the weather is warming up, it’s the perfect time to get some fresh air. During the day, go on a picnic, relax on your deck, play tag, set up a scavenger hunt or obstacle course for your kids. At night, pitch a tent, bring out the sleeping bags, and camp in your backyard. You can roast marshmallows, tell stories, and watch shooting stars right from the comfort of your home.
No back yard? No problem. You can still do the same things indoors! Who doesn’t love a blanket fort?
Entertainment
If you still need ideas on how to pass the time, I’ve got you covered.
Movie Night – Stream a new movie or throw on a classic. Break out the popcorn, candy, and drinks.
Art Contest – Judge a sidewalk chalk art competition, or try something new. Have you heard about the doodle challenge? This is fun for the whole family.
Dance Party – Turn up the volume and burn some calories. Each person gets to pick a song. Bonus points if you have a karaoke set up and lights!
Game Night – You can stock up on all of the most popular board games and take your pick. Grab a deck of cards or a puzzle while you are at it. If you prefer, you can go the digital route. There are plenty of free apps for games you can try out. One of my favorites is , “Heads Up”. Use your imagination and have fun playing your new games together.
What are your plans for vacation? Are you on board with a staycation, or are you hitting the road? Let me know in the comments below or email me.
Krista Kyte is a personal finance blogger and personal banker with over 17 years of experience in the financial industry. Krista is passionate about helping our members understand their financial situations. She writes tips that will help consumers reach and maintain financial security, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
