Venturing Outside of Your Bubble
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I can’t be the only one dreaming of a summer vacation, right? Like many people, I have spent the past 14 months at home. While that is great, I do find my thoughts drifting to cities outside of my zip code. Unfortunately, with COVID and its variants still a concern, it doesn’t look like that will be happening any time soon. If you find yourself in the same situation, let’s not get too bummed out! Instead, I am going to help us both out with some safe, sanity-saving, budget-friendly vacation ideas.
Road trip!
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As much as I would love to be en route to someplace tropical, I am not quite ready to take on flying. Besides, while there are some amazing deals, sometimes air travel can be pricey! If you’re itching to get far away, the open road is calling your name. Whether you rent a car, a camper, or drive your own vehicle, a road trip is a fun way to see new places and enjoy the ride.
Here are some road trip items to remember:
Plan your route. Make a list of all of the cities, states, and landmarks that you want to see on your vacation. Plot the journey on your map so you can adequately plan for the time to travel, enjoy the sights, and when you have to move on to the next pin. Don’t forget to take note of gas stations and welcome centers along the way.
Plan for enough time! The last thing you want to do on your trip is stress. Allow for more time than you think you will need so you can take in your surroundings.
Pack your snacks, drinks, medical kit, emergency supplies for unexpected car trouble, blankets, etc. Don’t forget to fill your spare tire with air! It is also recommended to pack a large jug of water in case of an emergency.
Budget accordingly. Set aside enough money to cover the costs of your vacation. This should include food, gas, lodging, rental car/RV costs, and of course extra cash to have on hand for souvenirs and visiting attractions. If you don’t have a vacation in your budget, start planning now!
Where will you be staying? Are you camping under the stars, packing into your camper van, or checking into a hotel? Whichever option you choose, do your research. If you are camping, be sure to download an app that displays user reviews so you choose a safe and well-respected campsite.
If camping or glamping isn’t your cup of tea, you can look into renting a cabin, or choose an Airbnb.
Staycation
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If a vacation is out this year, no worries! You can still enjoy your downtime by staying close to home. Check out the local sites in your area. There may be museums, parks, or landmarks that you have never had the time to visit. Now is the time!
Do you have school-aged children? Consider a travel-themed staycation. Learn about different countries, cultures, and have fun in the process. Practice making crafts, watching videos, and enjoy the “local” cuisine. You can try your hand at cooking an authentic dish, or order take-out from a different restaurant each day. If you want some inspiration, try these:
Monday – Take a trip across the border and enjoy Mexico! Listen to the mariachi as you feast on tostadas, guacamole and pozole!
Tuesday – Have you always dreamed of visiting Paris? Find out the secret to authentic French pastries before you head on your virtual tour of the Eifel Tower.
Wednesday – Buongiorno! Enjoy a homemade pizza and take a virtual ride on a Venetian gondola.
Thursday – Don’t wait for Oktoberfest! Grill some bratwurst, pour a bier (that’s German for beer,) and relax to the soothing sounds of German classical composers: Brahms, Schubert, or Handel.
Friday – Break out the sushi kit and roll homemade maki, brew green tea, and practice writing haikus as you celebrate Japan!
Saturday – Crank up the Beatles and fry some fish and chips. Take part in a virtual double-decker bus tour through London.
Sunday - Take a break to enjoy an All-American cookout.
This is your precious time off, so if doing nothing sounds like your dream come true, you can’t go wrong with renting a bounce house, setting up a slip-n-slide, and relaxing outside for a week. :)
What are your vacation or staycation plans? I want to hear all about how you want to spend your time off this summer. Leave me a comment, or email me.
Krista Kyte is a personal finance blogger and personal banker with over 18 years of experience in the financial industry. Krista is passionate about helping our members understand their financial situations. She writes tips that will help consumers reach and maintain financial security, and start living the life they’ve always wanted.
