Trying to curb spending this summer? This year, forgo expensive vacations and opt for cheap and joyous vacations. Staycations can be a surprisingly fun alternative, if you put in a little planning and effort. Reduce the monotony of day-to-day life and schedule tons of exciting activities, and your vacation will be a smash hit!
Ditch the routine:
- Treat work the same way you would when you were out of the country. Can’t you avoid being “on call”? Save it for emergencies. Otherwise it is not a suitable vacation.
- Take care of household chores sooner or later. A relaxing vacation does not include laundry, cleaning or shopping.
- Clean up the family calendar. Take a break from obligations, classes, and regularly scheduled sports. Replace it with fun-filled group activities.
- Set proper expectations within your social circle, that is, it will be unattainable for as long as it lasts, or it will only respond to urgent problems.
Turn off electronics:
- Use the “out of office” setting on computers and telephones. Others will be less likely to panic when you don’t respond instantly.
- Turn off the idiot box. PVR your favorite shows and catch up afterwards; Or better yet, show that you can live without television for a week or two.
- Get rid of video games. Leave the virtual world behind and enjoy true fun for a change.
- Put down your smartphone! Make a pact to minimize calls (work and personal) and establish a good system for family members who circumvent the rules. Spend the extra money on Christmas adventures.
- Avoid surfing the net. If you need to search for something, quickly access the Internet and then close it. Email and the Internet can consume everything. Don’t get caught up in the vortex.
Focus on the fun:
- What activities would you suggest to outsiders? Grab a local guide and rediscover the main attractions of your city.
- Add a little drama to your life. Catch a summer blockbuster, drive-in, live theater show, or gobble up a long-awaited book.
- The sporty guy? Catch a major league game, find a pool, water park or recreation area, or plan a personalized walking or bike tour of the city.
- Enjoy cerebral relaxation at local museums, art galleries, historic estates, science centers, and zoos. In Toronto, free tickets are available at your library.
- If you are near open water, consider a boat excursion. Rent kayaks, take boating lessons, or book a ferry tour for a great day out on the waves.
- Gather family and friends for a nice picnic or old-fashioned barbecue at a community park. Bring sodas, toys, and games with you to keep everyone busy and happy.
- Foodies will gobble up the opportunity to visit new / favorite restaurants and social butterflies are likely to appreciate concerts, pub crawls, or discos.
- Schedule a day trip to explore beyond the city limits. Find inexpensive thrills at the amusement park, savor a regional wine tour, sunbathe on a nearby beach, or nibble your way at the local farmers market.
Stay is not synonymous with deprivation. Break with your usual routine, channel your inner tourist and don’t waste a moment! You will return to work refreshed and recharged, and you will still have money in your pocket. It might be the best vacation you’ve ever had.
What is your favorite vacation activity? How do you plan to enjoy your hometown, in the summer of 2013?