Cindy Rybaczyk
Do you feel like you need a vacation but it’s not in the budget? That’s OK – a Staycation may be just what you need!
So what is a Staycation, you ask? A staycation involves staying at home but enjoying time off from work. Rather than traveling to a destination, you explore local attractions and activities.
The key to a successful Staycation is planning. Let’s talk about the five main things you can do to plan a memorable Staycation that your family will always remember.
Source: https://savemoneyfever.com/staycation/
If you enjoy reading, set up a cozy reading nook. Plan a movie marathon night. Come up with fun activities for the kids, like scavenger or treasure hunts. Do a music & dance party where everyone adds songs to their playlist to include, and maybe have family & friends join in virtually. Just because you're staying at home for your vacation doesn't mean it can't be fun!
Imagine visiting a different country or culture each day of the week. Plan your meals and snacks around that theme. It might be fun to have each person plan for a different night (if they're old enough)!
• Louisiana Night might be Bayou Shrimp Pasta.
• Asian Night might include Crockpot Orange Chicken or Shrimp Chow Mein.
Be creative and try new things!
Come up with outdoor activities like hiking or bike riding. Find tourist attractions nearby that won't break the bank. Learn about Geocaching and join the world's largest treasure hunt! Make it seem like a vacation with a Resort Pass that allows you to enjoy the amenities at a nearby hotel or resort (pools, lazy rivers, water slides, beach access, and more).
Find local coupon books for your area that save you on restaurants, attractions, amusement parks, and even hotel expenses (if you decide to get away locally for a night or two). Check Save Around or Entertainment.
Be sure to have each person take plenty of pictures to remember your Staycation. A fun final night activity might be sharing some of your favorite moments with each other. Google Slides or Google Photos are two free options you could use for this. Learn these tools as a family and use them to share your most memorable moments with each other and with friends & family.
These are just a few ideas to make your staycation fun and memorable for everyone. Do you have more creative tips or experiences? I'd love to hear them, and I'm sure others would too!
Save Money Fever = living within your means! This includes ways to save money – meal planning (with recipes), negotiating with providers, & saving money on the necessities in life.
