Vacations are an important part of self-care, and getting some R&R is the best way to stay motivated and charged for your daily routine, including your job. However, many people don’t have the luxury of long stretches of time away from their jobs, and what’s more, many are working on a limited budget that prevents their vacation dreams from coming true. What if, though, you could enjoy the best parts of your desired vacation at only a fraction of the cost?
You can!
Staycations, or vacations at home, can give you the best of both worlds. Most of us know that long-distance travel takes up a significant amount of time and funds, as it requires either airline tickets or gasoline to get to and from your location, and then you have to factor in food while on the road, lodging accommodations, etc. Unless a hotel itself IS your vacation, this takes up a lot of money that you could otherwise use for dining out, activities, or shopping cash. Even if you enjoy the experience of staying in a hotel (we all do every now and then!) you can still get great deals if you opt to stay closer to home. Also consider your vacation days. At least two days of that hard-earned time off will be burned up with travel if you choose to go away from home, meaning you have fewer days to enjoy the things around you.
Here are some great ways to make a staycation everything you’re looking for, allowing you to step away from the day-to-day and come back refreshed without breaking your budget:
- Look for local deals! From trying that new, upscale restaurant downtown, to enjoying the luxury hotel or resort in your very own city, many places (think Groupon) online offer special deals and coupons that apply to places near YOU. Sometimes this is a package deal for a hotel or resort, while other times it might be discount tickets to local attractions or hot restaurants, but it’s always going to save money and let you be a tourist in your own city.
- Make your own home a getaway. Like we mentioned above, hotel accommodations will burn your through your vacation budget quickly, leaving you with very little extra for activities and fun dining experiences. Why not put that money toward something other than a bed and a place to shower? When you opt for a staycation all that cash can be put toward the fun you want to have, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your overnight “stay” in your own bedroom. Consider investing in some “extras” for yourself (and anyone else joining you) like a new set of luxury sheets, bathrobes, a bottle of wine and treats for your room, etc. You can even hire massage therapists who offer in-home visits, giving you the luxury resort hotel experience for a fraction of the price.
- Consider easy day trips. Here in Central Florida, you have a huge variety of nearby attractions available to you. From Disney World to beautiful beaches, historical sites to nature preserves, you can find something for everyone without having to go very far. By taking day trips, again, you save money by not having overnight lodging, and you can experience more with the money you have.
Don’t let the traditional “vacation” model limit your time away this summer. Make the most of your time and your money by considering staycation options right here in Polk County. If you’re in the middle of a job search, your vacation doesn’t mean your applications and career possibilities have to! When you trust PHRStaffing Solutions with your job hunt, you can rest knowing that we are still working for you behind the scenes, giving you every opportunity of finding the perfect position for YOU. Give us a call or apply for one of our current openings online! We are here and ready to help you get hired.