If you are anything like me, I crave adventure and exploration but don’t always have the budget to manage extravagant trips. And let’s be honest, we Americans also receive a shockingly low number of vacation days. And this isn’t just in your head, we actually have the lowest vacation times in the world! But with little time and financial means, this doesn’t mean a little downtime isn’t in the cards. Here are three ways to get in a vacation without breaking the bank:

Staycation Relaxation

If you don’t have enough money to go on an exotic vacation this year, why not bring the vacay to you? This is the perfect option if you usually take a vacation to relax and unwind. You can do this in the comfort of your own home and that way you won’t need to worry about issues like expenses. You can still take a couple of weeks off work and spend them relaxing around the house, catching up on shows or even sunbathing in the garden. Maybe it’s been awhile since you have read a good book. With this type of vacation, you can get back to basics and spend your day lying back on the sofa. It won’t cost you anything, and you’ll love it all the same.

To make this truly feel like a vacation, be sure to separate yourself from the things you wouldn’t naturally do while on vacation. Maybe that means avoiding work emails, or ignoring that to-do pile of papers. Take the laidback vacation vibe and apply it to your home life.

Garden Paradise

Alternatively, you can think about spending time in your backyard if the weather is bright and warm. If you want to relax in your yard you either need a deck or some patio. Both are easier to install than you think and you can accomplish this in just a few weeks. Once you have a seating area in your yard, you can then add a few pieces of furniture to liven the area up a little. Garden furniture can be very comfortable with swing seats and lush sofas. Make sure you check online to find if there are any deals on the type of items you need to revamp your garden. Once you have a seating area, you can enjoy it relaxing in the sun with a good book or your music. Personally, I have a little fire pit that I use during the summer evenings. It’s fun to sit around, make s’mores or just relax with a beer or glass of wine.

And let’s not forget, a summer vacation doesn’t feel complete without a little water fun! Turn your backyard or garden into a wet fun zone. Add a water slide, a deep pool, and water guns. Heck even a tiny kiddie pool for soaking your feet while you read, can be a great option.

Adventures In The City

Even if you aren’t going on vacation far from home, there are still plenty of adventures for families or groups of friends in the city, like the Escape Room. Test your wits and your intellect as you work as a team to complete puzzles in a time limit. Larger than life, these action adventure games are budget-friendly and very popular. Or consider heading to your local theme park for the weekend. You don’t have to go to Disney World or Universal when the thrills you seek are probably only a few hundred miles from your home.

My sisters, mom and I did a little staycation in Chicago last weekend and it was a really great and relaxing 24 hours together! Stay tuned for a post on what we did around the city!