Ready for a Summer Staycation

Could a staycation be the highlight of your summer? What are the benefits of this new form of relaxation? Let’s find out!

If you’ve never heard the term before, you can probably guess that “staycation” is a portmanteau: stay + vacation = staycation. It’s taking your next vacation at home.

Rather than get on a plane, train, or take a days-long road trip, many people prefer to stay at home. This could mean literally not leaving your property, or it could mean exploring your town, city, or immediate geographical region. The consensus appears to be that as long as you’re back in your own bed at night, it counts as a staycation. Some outlets — mostly for-profit travel businesses or entities related to them — expand the definition to include camping or renting a vacation house near your home.

Staycations Are Cheaper

All the above options are expensive. Even the cheapest getaway to an inexpensive resort is going to set you back a thousand dollars or so. So, if you’re looking for a family vacation, the costs add up quickly. If you’re saving to purchase a home, for retirement, your child’s education, or just to build a financial safety net, an elaborate vacation might be a luxury you can’t afford. But if you can make a week off work spent in your own town feel special, you may not miss that expensive vacation.

It’s Less Stressful

Have you tried to get up close to the Mona Lisa or have your photo taken in front of Rome’s Trevi Fountain recently? Good luck. Some parts of Europe are so overrun with tourists that the locals are actively hostile.

And it’s not just Europe that’s busy, there’s a good chance your nearest amusement park or campground is busier than ever. But even if you’re going to a quiet, secluded place, waking up early, going through airport security, tuning up your vehicle before a road trip or whatever else you have to do to travel is stressful. Staying home? What could be more relaxing?

It’s Better for the Environment

Airplanes release a lot of greenhouse gases. Cruise ships can be environmentally damaging. Even a road trip has some environmental cost. You may not be an eco-warrior, but staying home instead of traveling puts less stress on you and the environment.

Staycations Allow You To Learn More About Where You Live

Have you ever toured your city like a tourist? It’s remarkable how we look at our hometowns differently when we see them through the eyes of a visitor. You may have experienced this when a friend or family member came to visit. Spending time in your hometown, with the curiosity of a tourist, can teach you a lot about where you live.

Not all staycations are equally enjoyable. To get the most out of your staycation, you have to do it the right way. Here are some tips:

• Plan it: A staycation means staying at home, but it doesn’t mean doing nothing (unless you literally want to do nothing, in which case, go for it). Just winging it can mean a disjointed, poorly thought-out staycation. Think of what you want to do and make a timetable.
• Budget your staycation: One of the biggest reasons to stay at home is to save money. So figure out how much you want to save and determine what’s left to spend.
• Take it seriously: Just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you’re available. Don’t answer work emails or do errands for others. Make yourself as unavailable as if you were on safari in Kenya.

Whether you want to save up for a trip around the world or just take a few days soaking up the Summer sun in your backyard, M&T Bank can help you save the necessary funds and budget accordingly.