How to Plan the Perfect Staycation

By
Josh B
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A lot of us are not traveling right now. Borders are closed, and the pandemic continues. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t go on a nice staycation within your own country or state. Here are some tips to plan the perfect one. 

Budget

First, you need to set a budget for the number of days you want to spend on your staycation. If you have a travel fund saved for a fun time abroad, consider using a portion of that fund for a luxurious stay close to home. You can also put away money with each paycheck and go on a budget friendly trip within your own city. 

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Today, I spent time finalizing my spending from my Arizona trip. Just like my personal budget, I like to know where every dollar went while traveling. Here is my breakdown. I started with a total spending budget of $2,424. My one night hotel stay and plane tickets were free since I was able to use my travel rewards. AIRBNB: $600 CAR: $100 FOOD: $660 MISC: $100 FUN: $271 TIPS: $0 TRAVEL: $204 I didn't use any of my tip cash since my tips were included with my food purchases. I split the costs of the Airbnb and car with a group of people. Food costs include grocery purchases for the Airbnb and eating out. My fun expenses include shopping and fun activities. My travel budget was for airport purchases (bag checks), Uber, and other transportation costs. TOTAL SPENT: $1,835 I was able to save $155 from my travel and tip cash envelopes and $434 in my dedicated vacation checking account. TOTAL SAVED: $589 I have decided that the money saved from this trip will go right back into my vacation savings for a future trip. Coming home with cash is the best feeling ever! Do you like to break down your vacation spending? I think it helps when planning future trips! #vacationbudget #budgettips

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Location

Research different tourist destinations within your country, or state. Sometimes great boutique hotels or lodges are overlooked because they are close to home. These can be a great place to spend a weekend, learning about where you live. If you live next to the ocean, consider visiting a nearby island. 

Something New

Often the best experiences come out of trying something new. Activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, or even a day spent at the spa can be like going on a holiday. Book a nice hotel or Airbnb for the weekend and get out of your comfort zone.