Is a Staycation Right For You?

With the promise of warmer weather just around the bend, many are considering taking a springtime trip. With the current economic climate, many are also wondering if they can really afford to take that trip. Some will surely finance a trip with credit while others will sell back their vacation hours to their employer. There however, may be an alternative that affords you and your family a happy medium; a staycation. A staycation is where you vacation at home in an effort to save some money, but you probably already figured that much out…

Now, you may have a difficult time getting all pumped up for a staycation, especially if you're an avid traveler and have a keen sense of adventure. However, there are perks to staycations. Here is some advice to help you figure out if a staycation is right for you and some tips to make your staycation fabulous if you do decide it's up your alley.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

The first thing you should understand is the true state of your personal finances. If you're flat out, no – joke broke: then don't vacay or staycay, just work. As much as it sucks to not even be able to afford a staycation, you need to make the responsible decision. You don't want to risk losing your house, going into debt or ruining your credit for a few days of fun in the sun. Keep working until you've safely saved enough to take time off and relax on the weekends in the meantime.

However, if you have a little extra cash and you have a family who you don’t spend enough time with; then keep reading because a staycation may be just what you need! Seriously, your kids may moan and groan but consider the benefits. Travelling takes so much time; by the time you pack up all the stuff you need to keep your kids healthy and happy (which is almost the entire house) and then take all the precautions necessary to keep them safe – you're exhausted. This is usually followed by a jam-packed whirlwind of sightseeing and activities. You then return home without having spent much quality time at all with each other. Couple this with stressing over whether or not you can really afford the vacation in the first place – it all adds up to a not so fun time.

Having a Fabulous Staycation

Here are some tips to ensure your family's staycation is a success

1. Limit TV and Computer Time – No more than one hour a day total. Seriously, TVs and computers will suck the life-blood out of a staycation in no time at all. You're at home, so it will be very easy just to laze in front of the TV all day, while your kids play games on the computer. You would not do this on a vacation – so don't do it on your staycation either.
2. Chore Hiatus – Clean up before your staycation and then exempt everyone from chores. Order out or use paper plates with simple meals, so you will not have much clean-up to deal with.
3. Plan Activities Ahead of Time – That focus on quality family fun. Board games, picnics, kite flying at the park, nature trails are all good ideas.
4. Be a Local Tourist! If you live near any attractions that you have not been to, or have not been to in a while, then by all means go. Even most small cities have zoos, museums and historic areas.
5. Go Camping – in your backyard. It's fun, a bit quirky and cheap. Make sure you make some S'mores in the microwave too.
6. Make an effort to really catch up with your kids and your spouse and just soak up and enjoy your time together with them. This is the most important goal of a staycation.

A staycation can be a fun way to spend time with your family without breaking your budget. Plus, if you do a staycation this year you may have saved enough money to fly everyone to the Bahamas next year!