You didn’t think we were going to help you set up your house and leave you, did you? Don’t worry, we’re experts in the art of staycations. Here are a few ideas that will help you kick your week off in vacation style:
Have a spa day.
It might not be as glamorous as a real day at the spa, but you can still make your own home feel like a peaceful retreat. Try a face mask with cucumber slices or an Epsom salt bath.
Take a day trip.
Looking for a little adventure? Try a road trip! Hit up that little town you’ve always heard about, try a new restaurant, or visit a new park.
Read a good book.
A staycation is the perfect opportunity to dive into a good read—or several! Set up a hammock in your backyard or lay out a blanket under a tree and let yourself unwind with a good book.
Explore your city.
Use your staycation to take in the sights and sounds of your city like a tourist! Get out there and visit free museums, bookstores and that coffee shop you’ve always meant to check out.
Camp out in the backyard.
Pitch a tent, light the fire, and make some s’mores. When it’s time to call it a night, crawl into the tent and sleep under the stars. (Or you can bring the gang back inside to sleep in your comfortable beds too—we won’t judge.)
Bring the water park to you.
Who needs a water park when you can make your own? For $15, you can find a kiddie pool or splash pad for the kids. And don’t forget the water balloons. Creating your own DIY backyard water park can save you about $50 per person!
Have a movie night.
You don’t have to leave your house to catch a good flick. Rent a movie—or even better, stream one for free. This is the perfect time to tackle a marathon of trilogies or introduce your kids to iconic classics for the first time (Star Wars, anyone?). But don’t forget the snacks! Grab some popcorn and candy from the dollar store and you’ll be set. Skipping the traditional ticket and concessions at the theater like this can easily save you $15–20 a person.
Stay somewhere new.
Let’s be clear: It’s okay to stay at your house during your staycation (and it saves major money not having to pay for a hotel or bed-and-breakfast). But if you do want to switch it up, check in to a local hotel or Airbnb for a night or two. It’s amazing how getting away to a new spot in your hometown can feel so refreshing.
Take up a DIY project.
Do you have a DIY project that you haven’t been able to get to? Use this free time on your hands to tackle it! Check your local museum or art studio to see if they’re offering pottery, painting or woodworking classes.
Plan a game night.
Dust off the board games and invite your family and friends over for some fun. Need to add a new game to the rotation? Check out Act Your Wage!—the first player to become debt-free wins the game. And if that sounds a little too much like real life (like if you’re laser focused on becoming debt-free right now), just play Monopoly instead!
Watch a theater production.
We know what you’re thinking—how can I see a show if I don’t leave my house? The magic of the internet, that’s how. BroadwayHD streams a ton of Broadway shows (everything from Oklahoma! to Romeo and Juliet). And with a seven-day free trial, that’s plenty of time to watch a few things while on staycation.
Go bowling.
Heading to a bowling alley during the middle of the week or at off-peak times can be surprisingly cheap. A lot of bowling alleys even let kids bowl for free. Check out the deals your local alley has and strike up a little friendly competition.
Go out for a special meal or have it delivered.
Some people find cooking relaxing, but it’s important to give yourself a break and take some time for a special meal that you don’t have to cook. Swing by that restaurant downtown that you’ve always wanted to try, or have food delivered from your favorite burger joint.
Go canoeing.
If you live within close driving distance of a river or another body of water, get out there on a canoe or a paddleboard—maybe even a surfboard if you’re near the beach (lucky!).
Have a date night.
Even if you’re in the middle of a family staycation with two toddlers, you can still carve out time for you and your spouse to sneak in an inexpensive date. The real tricky part is going to be finding a sitter to watch the kids, but it’s doable! Ask family or friends if they wouldn’t mind babysitting for an evening so you and your spouse can have a nice dinner. You can even sweeten the deal by offering to watch their kids sometime too.
Source: ramseysolutions.com
