Staycation
Aah Vacation..
I wish we were there in the Smokey Mountain National Park. Talk about relaxing!
This year we have chosen to take a staycation. This is a first for us.
Hubby and I have always worked hard to save money to take a nice vacation each year. We love to travel and both of us agree that we would rather give up eating out all year long (or any other luxury) to avoid having to miss a vacation.
Unfortunately, we had too many repairs that needed to be done on our house (new driveway and HVAC anyone?)
So this year, a staycation it is.
Having fun
Actually I thought I would be more bummed by the staycation than it turns out I am.
We have planned a fun local activity for each day this week.
I now agree with all of the talking heads who say that it is OK and fun to take a vacation in your hometown. (not to mention frugal)
I thought I would breakdown what we do each day for our staycationВ to show that it is possible to have fun and save money.
Breakdown
Over the weekend, we invited two families to come spend the holiday weekend with us. These are families we only see maybe once or twice a year due to distance and it is always a treat when we can all get together at the same place at the same time (old college buddies and family members).
Usually when we get together, we don’t do anything special or go anywhere. We like to hang out all day in our PJ’s; eat, drink, and play cards while the kiddos entertain each other (and us of course). (TT, A says BANG!)
This year was the same with one minor exception.
On Saturday we took the kids to Miami Whitewater Forest Park and let them splash at the water park. Total cost $2 per kid plus ice cream treats at the concession stand $6.
Weekend total:
The total cost of our weekend fun was really only just the extra food purchased to feed all 11 of us and the cost of the water park. Total cost approx $158.
Tuesday’s plans
I have included Monday in the weekend total because our guests stayed over for the long holiday (the whole point of getting together on this weekend of course).
So Tuesday, we decided to call it a Movie day!
The boys have football camp in the morning every day this week, so our days are cut in half.
After camp yesterday morning, we came home, had lunch and then headed to the theater to see The Last Airbender 3D.
My boys loved the Avatar series on Nickelodeon so we knew they would LOVE this movie.
Since we went earlier in the day, we paid matinee prices of $6 apiece.
Total cost $24 plus $15 for popcorn and a few soda’s We’re on vacation, I don’t mind to treat for popcorn and soda.
After the movie, we figured out that our boys were flat worn out from the long weekend of guests, plus football camp. So we decided to make it an all day movie day.
We ran to pick up pizza at Little Ceasars Total cost $14 (yes, we got the crazy bread)
We also ran by Redbox and picked up another movie for the boys (one for mom and dad too!) Total Cost $2.
Tuesday’s total $55.
Running total for staycation: $213.
I’ll keep you posted each day (or shortly after) of what we end up doing each day and the cost.
Who else is taking a Staycation this year? What are your plans?
July 7, 2010
Posted in: Budgeting, Musings, Travel Tips
3 Responses
I am actually in the middle of a staycation too! We camped out this weekend at my sisters house with lots of my family members. Monday we went on a pontoon boat on a lake. Fun, Fun! Today we rested, well sort of, we cleaned out the garage, although we might go to the drive-in tonight. Tomorrow we head to Holiday World and then this weekend we have Charlie’s Baptism! Fun Fun!
Dearest A–BANG! back atcha. I’ll be your deputy any time, kiddo
9 To 5 Frugal » Staycation Wrap up - July 11, 2010
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