Doctor Money
- Jan 19, 2021
- 4 min read

Planning a Staycation on a Budget

Sometimes a break is all you need to rebound and spend some quality time with your family. But if that break means busting your budget, isn’t it exactly the opposite of relaxing?

Given the current circumstances due to the pandemic, remote work has led to the blurring of work and home boundaries. This has particularly given rise to high stress levels among people. So it is nothing but natural to want to have a vacation in the swing of a stressful routine.

But with another wave of Covid-19 hitting the world, a traditional vacation probably isn’t in the cards. Not to mention that in the current state of the economy, it isn’t in everyone’s budget either. So, while you might be eagerly waiting for leisure travel to resume, a staycation is probably the next best thing we can have.

Simple Steps to do Staycation on budget

If you are also one of those who are looking for an opportunity to relax and unwind without breaking your bank, you have stumbled upon just the right page. Here is how to have a staycation during Covid that can give you the rest you deserve without blowing your budget!

Set a Staycation Budget

One of the most important aspects of planning a staycation is to set a budget to avoid overspending. You can start off by listing the activities you and your family value the most and figuring out how much each one would cost. This step will allow you to identify exactly which activities are worth spending some extra bucks on and where you need to cut back to stay within your spending limits.

While a staycation would typically be much less expensive than a traditional vacation, getting there needs some preliminary work. You have to think through what activities can make your staycation fun and exciting without forcing your hand to take debt. It might feel daunting at first, but when planned wisely, you can have a stress-free staycation without a financial pinch.

Choose an Affordable Staycay Time

When it comes to any type of vacation, the timing has a massive impact on costs. Hotels and transport are likely to be much cheaper once the school holidays are over. So it is best to choose a time around mid-August or September to reduce these expenses. Similarly, staying in hotels during the week will be much cheaper than on the weekends.

Check and Compare Prices

One of the best things about staycations is that the options are limitless. And with the convenience of being familiar with the place, you can easily check and compare prices to cut the best deals for you and your family. Ensure that none of the activities you have planned give you a last-minute shell shock due to the high price. Research each of the ideas on your list and let go of the ones that can be hard on your budget.

A good way to keep things exciting and affordable at the same time is to toss in at least one splurge and round out the rest of the list with cheap or free activities. This will keep the vacay vibe strong without wrecking your budget.

Plan Free or Low Cost Activities

One of the most important factors that can make your staycation as cool as a vacation, if not more, is planning things you enjoy when you are away. But in order to stay within your means, it is imperative to go for free or low-cost activities. The good news is there’s plenty of things you can do in your hometown that can be both fun and affordable.

And while these activities might not be in a vacation destination, when combined with unplugging from work and without the hassle of travelling, they can give you real vacation feels.

Here are some unique and fun-packed staycation activities you can try:

Enjoy a spa day with a local discounted deal or coupon.
Search online for ‘trails near me’ and take a hike or a bicycle ride.
Find out niche museums and galleries in your hometown and go for them.
Just because you are a local doesn’t mean you cannot book a hotel room and pretend to be a tourist for a day or two. Go to local tourist attractions and enjoy a touristy walking tour.
Rent scooters and take a tour around the city.
Go to a local pool with your family and have a beach day.
Take a cooking class with your family.

Move Things to Later

One of the most challenging aspects of a traditional vacation is time. Due to the limited time at a location, you have constant pressure to cram in as many activities as possible. And it seems only fair as you don’t want to miss out on anything. But the downside of cramming vacation activites is that it leaves you exhausted and sometimes even more tired when you get back to work than when you first left.

With a staycation, you can choose a handful of local attractions and activities for the current staycation and leave others for later. And since you have no pressure to do everything at once, you can even take staycations more often without crippling your financial goals.

Bottom Line

While it is obvious that staycations are inherently cheaper than leisure traveling, it can still bust your budget if you don’t have your spending in check. With some keen planning, a staycation can give you all the benefits of a traditional vacation, less the stress, financial burden, and exhaustive travel.

It is probably best not to stretch your finances too thin if you cannot afford the staycation you want. Download our budgeting app, Doctor Money and use a smart money management tool to save money fast and plan one for later. However, if you can afford one, use the same tool to keep yourself from overspending while on your staycation. With that in place, let the staycationing begin.