Enjoying Staycations On A Budget

Aug 15, 2022 | Credit Counselling

Written by C. Buhler & Associates Ltd.

Written by C. Buhler & Associates Ltd.

You’ve been working extremely hard lately, and it’s time that you give yourself a break. Now that the state of the world is slowly opening up travel options, a vacation might sound like a great idea. However, the only problem is that vacationing can be expensive, and you might have a tight budget to uphold. Don’t worry; just because you might not be able to travel to Cancun or Hawaii doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun or relaxation time.

That’s where our fun staycation ideas come in. There are many options to take advantage of when planning a staycation for yourself or your family. Here we’ll be going over the best staycation ideas.

Why a Staycation?

You may be scoffing at the idea, but there are many benefits to a staycation, and there are many reasons why a staycation may be the best choice for you.

You Save Money

You’ll save a lot more of your budget when you decide on a staycation. You won’t have to worry about flights, hotels, transportation, or any other vacationing expenses. A big portion of a holiday budget goes toward travel plans. With a staycation, you get to give yourself a little break from reality and save some extra money on the side.

You Save Time

While travelling can be exciting, the truth is you spend a good chunk of your vacation time on a plane, especially if you’re travelling far. You’ll save much more time for relaxing or adventuring with a staycation, as you won’t have to worry about catching a flight. Plus, you’ll avoid the stress and annoyances that might occur during your travels.

Staycation Rules

You need to maintain a vacation mindset during the whole staycation. Here are some rules to follow to ensure you have a wonderful staycation:

  • Turn off your phone: It’s so easy to get sucked into your mobile phone. Phone calls, texts, social media, apps, and the worldwide web can tempt you away from your staycation. If you want a much-needed break, then the phone should be off.
  • No household chores or errands: Make sure that you take care of these before you begin your at-home vacation time.
  • Have fun: This is the most important aspect of your staycation. Remember that you don’t have to worry about flights or rushing around. 

Affordable Staycation Ideas

Backyard Camping 

If you’re a fan of the outdoors but don’t want to spend your budget on a campsite and all the provisions and equipment needed, you can go camping in your own backyard. You can set up a tent, get some sleeping bags ready, play games, and set up a grill or bonfire. This is a fun option to have with a friend or your family members. 

A Lake or Beach Day

You may want to make the most out of the warmer months of the year, and a trip to the lake or beach is a perfect idea. This is probably the closest you can get to a vacation, as you can suntan on the beach or enjoy a boat ride on the lake. This option shouldn’t cost much. The most money you might have to spend is on food, gas, and potentially a parking spot. 

Go Hiking

Hiking is one of the most popular and fulfilling staycation ideas. It gets you out of the house and provides the proper exercise your body has been begging for. You can make a day of exploring the hiking trails in and around Winnipeg. You can even pack a picnic lunch and really take advantage of the beautiful summer weather. 

A Day Trip 

You can plan a day trip and visit a nearby city or town and do some exploring. There are many things to explore while in a nearby town, such as:

  • National parks
  • Green spaces
  • Local shops
  • Independent bookstores 
  • Coffee shops
  • Restaurants 

The list is endless. There’s a lot of fun to be had while venturing around a new location. In comparison to leaving the country for a vacation, you’ll have some extra money in your pocket. 

Tour the City 

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that the city you live in can offer a lot for you to do during your staycation. Touring your own city can include local attractions or places that you’ve been meaning to visit or return to. There may be some free events available to you, such as outdoor live music, block parties, and more. 

Overnight Hotel 

If you need to get out of the house, look into a local hotel and plan an overnight stay. This is one of the much more affordable staycation ideas compared to the prices you’d pay at a vacation resort. There are many deals that you can find on nice hotels that will provide the much-needed weekend getaway you desire. Don’t forget the room service!

Home Theatre 

This is the king of cheap staycation ideas. Create the ultimate movie night and curate your own film festival at home. This is the perfect opportunity to catch up on all the latest movies or revisit some of your favourites. Invite friends or family and make a day out of it. Even if you don’t have a projector, you can dedicate your living room as your own home theatre by making it dark and ensuring there’s lots of popcorn available.  

Catch Up On Reading 

Take a break, unwind, and catch up on some reading. Reading is not only a fun hobby, but it’s also beneficial for reducing stress. There are so many classic and entertaining books out there waiting to be read. If you don’t feel like spending a lot of money on new books or an expensive reading tablet, a trip to a used bookstore or your local library is fun. You’d be surprised as to how many hours you can spend enjoying a good book. 

Sleep & Relaxation 

Sometimes all you need is a little time to relax and catch up on some much-needed sleep. Some simple relaxing time can help your well-being and reduce the stresses of life, such as work, bills, or looking for Winnipeg debt relief options.  

There’s a lot of stress associated with debt struggle. Whatever your situation may be, you can trust us to go over your options on anything from planning a consumer proposal to claiming bankruptcy in Canada. You don’t have to go searching for debt solutions on your own. We are here to help.

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