Tough economic times make you decide that a Spring Break vacation needs to be a stay at home and save money vacation?  It doesn’t have to be a no fun vacation even if you aren’t traveling more than 100 miles from home.  Here are a few tips to think about for a stay close to home Spring Break. 

1.     Set a budget:  Give yourself a daily amount you want to spend on fun activities.  Make that budget fit with what you have saved or can afford without incurring large costs and use it to plan your daily activities.

2.     See a New Place: Visit local attractions that have never made the top to-do list yet.  Museums, sporting events, or perhaps local state parks or those odd attractions that are in every city.

3.     Kids eat Free:  Check out all the kids eat free dining options in the city and use that list to determine days to dine out for all three meals.

4.     Mr/Mrs Clean:  Hire a cleaning or maid service to clean your house for the week.  That way you can keep your feet up all week and enjoy the time with your family and not spend it cleaning the house or other chores that can dampen the fun.

5.     Splurge on treats:  Instead of eating all your meals out, eat at home and then go out for ice cream, milkshakes or some other treat that doesn’t normally occur.  Vacations are about doing things that are not ordinary.

6.     Spend a Night or Two:  Stay at nearby hotel that has an indoor pool and other amenities that can be fun for a day or two.  Maybe it is near an attraction like a state park or an unique museum that can be different and entertaining.

7.     Movie & Popcorn:  Make it a movie fest and find a common genre that all will enjoy.  Maybe it is sports movies, Star Wars or your favorite actor and watch movies for 6 hours with your own popcorn and refreshments. 

And there are several other ideas to consider too…don’t let “staying” home change your attitude about have a fun and relaxing Spring Break.  Fun and saving money don’t have to be an either/or decision.