Even though the economy has picked up a little, frugal families are still choosing to stay at home during vacation season. There are numerous benefits to a “staycation”—you save money and enjoy the comforts of home, while avoiding the hassle of travel and the stress of constant activity.
It’s easy to get bored with the same old routine however, so we at Grocery Outlet want to share our favorite ideas on how to make your staycation spectacular:
1.
Treat your staycation the same way you would if you were a tourist in your home city. Plan out how you’ll spend your time, research popular tourist attractions, and map out the best way to group locations together so that you save gas by not driving all over town.
2.
Check the internet and your local paper for free or reduced admission blocks, which many museums, sporting events, and amusement parks have during the summer months.
3.
Look on your county and city websites for what the Parks and Recreation Department is up to. It may be a big surprise to you what cool stuff is going on in your neighborhood, and many times, for free! One of our favorite things is a free concert in the park. Grocery Outlet has a bunch of great deals on meat and picnic food, so stop by your local store on the way to the concert to stock up!
4.
Create a scavenger hunt for your kids around the house. Give a prize to the winner.
5.
Take a vacation for free—sit under an umbrella or pitch a canopy with some travel books, sip a cool beverage and imagine what it would be like to travel to the featured destination. Truly free travel and an afternoon escape all in one!
Whatever you end up doing, enjoy it. Contentment comes not from the money you spend, but spending your time well.