A Broke-Ass Guide to Staycating

I hate the word 'œstaycation.'  Hate it!  I do, however, like the concept.  Obviously broke, unwilling to charge one more thing on my credit card, and in desperate need of a break, I opted to take my vacation last week in the town where I live.

I tried so hard not to call it a 'œStaycation,' but alas, I could not escape it.  Instead, I enjoyed the fuck out of my time off and mocked the term relentlessly along the way.  Come with me as I relive the high points and learn how to succeed while staycating.

1)  Explora Like Dora
Vacationing at home is a wonderful opportunity to act like a tourist, but feel superior to all actual tourists because you know what’s up.  Go to a neighborhood you’re unfamiliar with and wander.  Go to a museum alone and don’t let anyone rush you, or go as fast as you want and feel un-judged.  Do whatever it is you don’t do on a normal, day-to-day basis, and it will feel fresh, new and awesome.

2) Mock Your Working Friends
While this is a great opportunity to rub it in all of your working friends’ faces, it’s more fun (and nicer) to use this as a chance to meet them for a lunch special or happy hour in an are you never venture to during the work week.  It’s also a great time to catch up with your self-employed friends and enjoy them during the daytime hours.

3) Couch Surf
Sometimes half the fun of going on vacation is waking up somewhere new.  Don’t deprive yourself of that excitement just because you haven’t left the city!  Ask a friend if you can crash on their couch and pretend you live there for a night, or find a richer friend who is actually on vacation and house sit.  If all else fails, whip out your vacation mentality and try your luck with a stranger.  Unfortunately the 'œwhat happens in ____ stays in ____' saying does not apply, so keep it classy-ish.

4) Camp at Home
I often miss out on the relaxation of sitting around the house and doing nothing by doing it accidentally or out of pure laziness.  I feel like I’m missing out on something fun, or that I should be doing something more constructive with my time off.  Purposeful relaxation sounds dumb, but I somehow enjoy it more when I make a conscious decision to not do a damn thing all day long.  Stock up on your favorite camping treats, make a cozy couch bed, download the last season of your favorite show, and….GO!

Photo from: cybersalt.com