Cancelling your trip to Trump U.S.A.? Here’s how to rock a staycation — and save money

Whether you’re boycotting travel to Donald Trump’s America or just trying to save money amid these uncertain economic times, loads of Canadians are pivoting summer travel plans to stay close to home.

Here are a few ideas to create a great staycation that will leave you emotionally — and financially — rejuvenated:

Don’t fall into the chore trap

This staycation needs to feel like a proper holiday. If you’re working your tail off, it won’t.

Place all your work, chores, homework, renos, courses, errands and the like on a back burner.

Choose start and end dates where you’ll be completely off the grid on all things ‘work’ related.

If you need to let your boss or clients know you’ll be away, do that.

Then, block the time off in your work and family calendars, pack your day bags and sunscreen, and don’t look back. 

Set a budget that makes sense for you

The goal here is to save money.

But, unlike previous years, there are fewer deals. Our Buy Canadian patriotism is amazing, but pushing prices higher for everything local.

This is because increased demand for Canadian things and experiences is leading to higher prices.

Get granular with your budget, and use a spreadsheet to plan what’s going to happen and how much you will realistically need to spend every day. 

Some people set a ‘day rate’ for what they’ll spend such as $200 a day for the week. Everything they do must fit that budget.

Others map out each day’s activities, then use real costs for food, park passes, camping spots, gas, at-home spa supplies, babysitting, tickets, car rentals and whatever else. If splitting costs with someone else, it gets factored in.

Then tally it all up to see if you currently have enough savings to cover the costs? Bravo if you do!

If not, there’s still time to save. Every payday set aside a little for your staycation in a high-interest savings account.

If, for example, you need to drum up $1,500 for your holiday and have six pay cycles left, that’s $250 a pay you’ll want to squirrel away.

Whatever you do, avoid racking up a credit card balance to pay for it. That would only leave you emotionally and financially drained — the opposite of your staycation goals.

Incorporate the luxuries and activities that will fill your cup

This can be as simple as attending yoga classes each day or reading a book by the beach.

It might mean having your house cleaned and meals made for you (as a busy mom of a three- and five-year-old, I dream of not cooking!)

Think about the little luxuries that matter to you, that will make you feel relaxed.

Free activities could include hiking or biking on local trails, popping your kayak into a local river, or visiting a park for a picnic day. Or seek out possible discount days for things like concerts, museums and art galleries.

I have enjoyed being a tourist in my own city for years, taking my kids to see well-known attractions often taken for granted.

A staycation is also a perfect time to book services you might have benefits for like massage therapy, or to use up gift cards, points or even fitness passes that have been hanging around.

Transform your home into a place you want to be

You know what feels good at home — and what doesn’t.

If there’s clutter, dirt, weird furniture arrangements or yard debris you know will annoy you while trying to relax, deal with it ahead of your time off.

Remember to load up ahead of time on the supplies you’ll need to help you relax: things like barbecue treats, bubble bath or potting mix for the gardening you want to do. Done well in advance, you can also take advantage of any sales as they come along for items on your wish list.

Space out pricey purchases like a beach chair one week, then wait a few more weeks to buy that picnic blanket or running shoes or box of locally made wine.

If you start now, you can take your time to hunt down the best deals possible and validate if what you’re buying is truly Canadian. Heck, you might even uncover freebies along the way!

No matter how much money or time you spend, unless you make an effort to ensure your staycation feels like a vacation, you’re not going to get the rejuvenation you need.

Plan ahead so that you can explore your surroundings — and yourself.

Indulge in simple, budget-friendly pleasures to make those special memories that money can’t buy.

This article was originally published in The Star. Lesley-Anne Scorgie is a Toronto-based personal finance columnist and a freelance contributing columnist for the Star.