8 Reasons Why You Should Consider a Staycation

It’s summertime, and that means vacation time! But, sometimes, instead of hitting the road and visiting elsewhere, we should really use that time to relax and unwind at home. Here are 8 great reasons why you should consider a staycation for your next vacation. Start planning your staycation now and have a fabulous time at home!

Why Your Next Vacation Should Be A Staycation

Staycations are Less Stressful

The point of taking time off is to relax and decompress, right? Well, let me tell you, staycations are infinitely more relaxing than your normal getaway. There’s something so freeing about not having to go anywhere or do anything- it’s an amazing feeling.

And although they can be loads of fun, vacations are actually super stressful! You have to get your lodging lined up, figure out how you’re going to get there, and plan out everything you want to see. And yeah, often all that stress is super worthwhile, because you get to see something new or have an adventure, and we all love stuff like that. Heck, I even have a travel blog because I love it so much!

But taking that time to stay home is also beautiful, and you don’t have to worry about any of those things. There’s something incredibly relaxing about not having to go anywhere or do anything -and that’s a main reason why you should consider a staycation.

Save Money

Another great reason to consider a staycation is to save money. Vacations are freaking expensive! Hotels, airfare, and food when you are on trip can all add up to a few thousand dollars, especially if you aren’t traveling solo.

Even the costs of budget trips can add up after you consider gas, camping fees, and the costs associated with doing any of the things you want to do.

I definitely think that travel is one of those things that you should splurge on, but sometimes it’s worthwhile to skip the trip for a year or so and stay home instead. You could put the extra money towards paying off debt or an emergency fund. And let’s be real, if you’re going to do that, this is the year for it….

Covid-19

Because another incredibly timely reason to consider a staycation this year is Covid-19. As cases continue to rise in the United States, citizens are still banned from visiting most foreign countries. Although there are no restrictions on state-to-state travel, it seems smarter to stay put this year, in order to prevent spreading infection further.

I have high hopes that the US will eventually be able to tackle this pandemic the way the rest of the world has, whether because our populace finally understands disease transmission or we get a vaccine. Putting that trip off for a year to ensure the safety of your community isn’t that big of a sacrifice. Staying home can be just as fun.

Get Stuff Done

One of the reasons I was so excited about taking a staycation is because its affording me the opportunity to get stuff done! I have so many projects that I’m working on, but with work sucking up eight hours a day I never have the time or energy to complete them. With my staycation, I have a ton of extra time to tackle those projects.

Not only is it fun, but it’s a huge relief to get some of this stuff (I’m looking at you, bathroom remodel!) off my list.

Explore Your Local Area

You should also consider a staycation because it gives you the opportunity to explore your local area. I know, you spend tons of time near home, you’ve probably seen it all! But have you?

Did a new brewery or restaurant open up in the next town over? Are there any hiking trails nearby that you may have missed? Maybe there’s a larger city within easy driving distance that you don’t check out as often as you’d like. These are great places to check out during your staycation, and much cheaper than a full- blown vacation.

Reduce Carbon Footprint

One environmentally sound reason to use your vacation time to stay home rather than to travel somewhere is that it reduces your carbon footprint. Any type of long-distance travel, whether you drive or fly, is going to take a ton of energy and release a whole lot of carbon dioxide into the air.

I’m not saying we should never travel again; I think it’s important to expose ourselves to other cultures and other ways of life, and I think travel is one of the things that makes life enjoyable. But, if we limit the amount of traveling we each do every year, we can still take time to see the world, but we can do it more sustainably. That’s a win for everyone.

No Worrying About Pet Sitting

One of my top reasons for opting for a staycation rather than a traditional vacation is that I don’t have to worry about pet sitting. I love the little buggers- clearly – but it’s freaking expensive to pay to have someone watch them all. It cost me $200 bucks just for a long weekend! Talk about a lucrative side hustle! Join Rover to start making that kind of weekend cash by watching some cool animals! Can you imagine how much I’d pay for a two week get away?

But, it’s not just the cost. It’s also the stress of finding someone, worrying if they are caring for them correctly, wondering if they are stealing from you, and a whole host of other things. I’m not saying don’t travel or don’t get pet sitters when you do, but it sure is a whole lot easier to not have to deal with any of it.

Simplicity

By far my favorite thing about my staycation so far has been the simplicity. I don’t have to do anything if I don’t want to. I can stay up late (I mean – I don’t. But I could if I wanted to) and I don’t have to be on anyone else’s schedules. There’s no need to worry about when I have to check-in or out, when this or that attraction opens, where I should go next.

I get to wake up in the comfort of my own bed and schedule my day around whatever I want -whether that be something or nothing. This is a short preview of the type of life I want to live when I reach financial independence (minus the travel). Wake up, have some coffee, do some writing, play some video games – this is living. It’s so simple, but I love it and I couldn’t be happier.

Is a Staycation Right for you?

I always struggled with using my vacation time for a staycation. With so little time off available, I wanted to get as much out of it as I could! That meant planning international adventures, city hopping, and jamming as much into a two-week period as humanely possible.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m still into all that. But I’ve also discovered that I love mixing it up with a stress-free staycation. Usually, I’ll take less time (like five days instead of two weeks), but that’s more than enough to help me relax, unwind, and get ready for the work ahead. It’s also more than enough to get me refreshed and even more dedicated to my fire goals so my entire life can be like this!

The point is, regardless of your reason, a staycation is an amazing option, and there are tons of things you can do while on your staycation. So start planning your best staycation ever now!.