As the U.S. slowly gets back to its feet with the roll-out of vaccination across every state, travel is also starting to pick up. If you’re one of the fortunate ones to be able to go on vacation this summer, may this be a reminder to make sure you allot a specific budget for your trip and to stick to it. Hopefully you have saved up the funds to go on this trip. It’s a great feeling not to have piles of bills waiting for you when you get back from vacation and then work your tush off to pay for them. You’ll get to enjoy your vacation more and you’ll be able to come back relaxed (hopefully) because there are no bills to pay.
Since the summer 2019, we haven’t been on a real vacation. We used to go a couple of times a year during summer and winter breaks. However, because we moved to Texas in the summer of 2019 and then the pandemic brought the world to its knees last year, we’ve mostly stayed home. So, these staycation ideas came up because for 2 years in a row, we have been on staycation mode.
First of all though, make sure to set aside the funds you’ll need. You need to think through how much you are willing to spend on your staycation. It is important to do this because some activities, while free or low cost, may require you to drive to get there, meaning you have to pay for gas. There are also other expenses that may pop up so it’s a good idea to set aside funds for your staycation. It’ll provide you with a hard stop of what you can and cannot do. The last thing you need is not to go on vacation because you don’t have the budget for it but blow up your monthly budget because you went overboard when you tried exploring local attractions.
Now that we’ve gotten the very important part out of the way, I am now going to lay out some practical tips for you to explore without breaking the bank. Let’s get to it, shall we?
1. Find local attractions
My first tip, of course, is to find local attractions near you, like a state park close by where you can go for a day trip to hike, have a picnic, and just chill out, weather permitting, of course.
We live close to a lake with lots of activities to do. There’s a splash pad so my kids love going there on a hot day. There’s also a kayak rental so we rent for the kids ($20/hour for a tandem kayak). We found than an hour is plenty of fun for the kids. We sometimes bring the bike so they can ride around too. There’s a cool playground that my kids have also tried playing on. It has a nice trail so we also tried hiking. This place alone has plenty to do.
Another local attraction (to us, at least) are the community pools. My eldest is working as a lifeguard this summer so we sometimes take the kids where he’s lifeguarding and get them to swim there too.
Other ideas include places where you can go fishing, crabbing, or paddle boating. Even waterparks are fun to go to during summer. Of course, you may have to spend more so plan accordingly. If it’s not in the budget, then make sure you save up for it first.
2. Take a day trip somewhere close
There are also places close by that you probably haven’t gone to or you love going to. That’s also another place to explore. It’s fun to just go for a short drive and bring lunch with you so you can go on a picnic. Or, if it’s the budget, try the local restaurants. There are a few places this summer that are on our list of interesting places to see. I’m pretty sure there are places close to you that you can explore as well. Google can be your best friend in finding these gems.
3. Do glamping in your backyard
If you have one, you can set up a tent in your backyard and go glamping. I love this because I can always go inside the house to use the bathroom. Everything we need is right there. Other ideas also include having a smores night, star gazing, or listening to the sound of crickets and birds. You don’t have to drive anywhere for this but just the same, it can provide loads of fun. Of course, if you’re in a town where mosquitoes abound, you may want to have mosquito repellants on hand so they don’t get to feast on you.
I also love glamping in the backyard because when it gets too hot, we can all go into the house to cool down and get a proper sleep.
4. Go camping
Camping somewhere is also another option. Camping on tents are usually inexpensive since you only have to pay for the site. You have to bring everything else though — tent, food, amenities, etc. If this is your first time, I suggest that you try camping in your backyard first. This allows you to become familiar in putting your tent together and folding it up when you’re done. It also allows you to get a feel of sleeping outdoors.
In our first camping trip, I couldn’t sleep very well because I wasn’t used to sleeping outside on a tent. Since we only had sleeping bags then, I can feel the rocks on the ground digging into my back. After the first shock though, we figured we needed an inflatable bed so the next few camping trips became a breeze. I think it would’ve helped if I tried camping in our backyard first before venturing out in the wild (so to speak).
Just a reminder though, if you do not have the budget for tents and camping gear, please do not go out and buy all these equipment. If it’s in your budget then go for it. But if it’s not, you might want to wait before trying this activity out. This is also true for backyard glamping.
5. Go on a picnic
There are parks where you can go on a picnic, usually with a view of the lake, a state park, etc. Pack your lunch or take some meat to barbecue if a grill is available on site. Have some water ballons ready too so the kids can have water balloon fights. Just make sure you bring a fresh set of clothes so they can change when they’re done. Bring a ball so they can play ball. Or have some chalk so they can draw on the sidewalk, assuming it’s permitted, of course.
Before you go though, make sure there are no reservations to the picnic area by visiting their website. If the picnic areas are on a first come first serve basis (like some of the ones we’ve been to), it might be a good idea to go there early so you can secure a spot.
6. Go for a hike
Hiking is another option. You can download the AllTrails app to find hiking sites based on your level of experience. Again, don’t go overboard on hiking gears. Usually sneakers, comfortable clothes, hat, sunblock, and plenty of water are all you need unless you’re hiking an intermediate or advance trail and would be hiking all day long. Try the easy ones first for size.
If it gets hot where you are, it’s a good idea to start very early in the day. We used to hike with some friends before sunrise. It’s becomes an amazing experience when the sun comes up while hiking. The sunrise can be breathtaking which sets you up in a very good mood for the rest of the day.
7. Have a craft day
Crafting is also another fun way to do during your staycation. Not only do you get to exercises your creativity, you also get to create something.
I used to scrapbook A LOT. I love the Project Life system by Becky Higgins where you just have to print 4×6 photos, slip them into photo sleeves, write your journaling on the 3×4 paper that comes with the kit, and you have yourself a scrapbook layout. No more cutting, designing, glueing, etc. It’s simple and very easy to do. We’d print photos and I’ll have the kids write on the journaling portion. They would sometimes draw on it, write with their squiggly handwriting, paint, etc. In the end, they love looking through the pages of their albums.
If you’re not convinced, here are some advantages to crafting:
- It’s a stress reliever.
- You feel a sense of fulfillment after creating something with your hands.
- It exercises your creativity, which is good for your brain’s problem-solving capability.
- It can alleviate depression by keeping your mind busy and focusing on another activity.
- It’s a form of self-expression.
- It’s a good form of bonding when done with your family.
- It can improve your mood.
- Crafting can be a form of mindfulness.
There are lots more advantages to crafting so just know that this is a good way to spend time during your staycation. You can even challenge yourself not to buy anything but use whatever you have around your house. It’ll be sure to spark your creative genius!
8. Go to the library
Another idea for your staycation is to spend time at the library. They offer a wide variety of activities for kids. They might even have a summer reading program for kids to get prizes after reading X number of books. This program motivates the kids to read, which is a great way for them to spend their summer.
Check out your local library for activities that might interest your kids.
9. Enroll yourself or your kids in summer sports
There are neighborhood sports that are fun to do like flag football, baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, swimming, etc. It’s always a great idea to be active anyway so why not try a sport this summer? You’ll not only help your body move but you’ll also have fun and even meet new friends. Of course, you have to make sure that you can accommodate this in your budget. This is a way for the kids to unplug from their devices while moving their bodies.
10. Take photos around the neighborhood
Unless you live under a rock, you will probably notice that your neighborhood is evolving over time. New shops pop up. Constructions or some roadworks going on. New buildings/establishments being built. The list goes on and on. There is never a good time as any to document what your neighborhood looks like than now. It will be nice to look back and see how your ‘hood has evolved and changed through the years. It would also be great for the kids to see where they grew up.
You can use your smartphone to take photos and there are inexpensive ways to get them printed.
I have our photos printed via the Groovebook app. The photos come in a small, handy grooved album for a small fee of $4.24 a month including tax and shipping. If you do decide to give it a try, you can use my code MORENO7969 to get a free Groovebook. I also get a free book so it’s a win-win for both of us. Try it out and let me know what you think ok?
11. Go to the movies or have movie nights at home
It has been more than a year since we all went to the movies. These days, you can watch new releases right in the comforts of home. For example, when Godzilla vs Kong came out, we subscribed to HBO Max just to be able to see the movie. For $14.99 + tax and popcorn + drinks from our pantry, we all got to watch it in the comfort of our home. My Godzilla-loving son was able to watch it over and over again too. Apart from Godzilla vs Kong, my kids were able to watch lots of Justice League movies and series. A day before the one month was up, I cancelled our subscription. If we would’ve gone to the movies to watch, we would’ve spent at least $50 for tickets (there’s 5 of us) plus more snacks. And that’s just for a couple of hours of entertainment.
Disney+ have few new releases as well but at times there’s a $29.99 fee to watch. However, if you are not in a hurry and are willing to wait for a month or so, it’ll come out in Disney+ for free anyway.
When we moved to Texas, we cut our cable and decided to subscribe to Netflix and Disney+ for less than $25 a month. Best decision ever!!! We were paying upwards of $75 on cable alone.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, subscription to Prime Movies come with it for free. You can find a ton of great movies and series. If you had Sprint as your mobile provider (now T-Mobile), it came with a free subscription to Hulu so do check that out as well. My friends with Verizon get their Netflix for free so it’s worth checking out too.
12. Go on a date with your spouse or take each of your kids out
Bond with your spouse and/or kids by either going one from time to time (within the budget, of course), going out on a date with your spouse, or with each of your kids. It doesn’t have to be expensive. My kids are happy with Chick-fil-A or In ’n Out. We not only get to hang out together, we also get to talk one on one with them. I’ve observed that they tend to open up a lot better with just the two of us than with the whole family around. Of course, I have to make sure that while we’re eating, phones are not allowed. Instead, we have a conversation which, I must admit, rarely happens these days because of the so-called gadgets!
13. Check out free admissions to museums
Pre-Covid, there used to be days when museum admissions are free. We’ve definitely availed of this privilege when the kids were younger, specifically at the Exploratorium where they spent a ton of fun for hours on end. Try to visit the museum website and see if they have admission-free days and plan to take your family there if it fits your schedule.
Just a caveat though, admission-free days are usually packed with people so it’s a good idea to get there early before the crowd came. That way, when it becomes to crowded for you, you can leave without missing anything.
So there you have it, folks — some ideas for your to enjoy summer without breaking the bank. The key, of course, is to make sure that you have the funds to pay for any paid activity in cash. The last think you want is to have so much fun that you fall into the trap of charging everything and then not having the means to pay it off. Also, it’s important not to dip into your emergency fund unless it’s truly an emergency. You can set aside a category in your budget for FUN money, BLOW money, US money, STAYCATION fund, or whatever you want to call it. It truly becomes an enjoyment activity when you don’t have to worry about having to pay it later with the funds you do not have.
Now, tell me in the comments below which ones of these tips are you going to try? If you have other ideas that are not in this list, will you let me know too?
