We’re on the cusp of summer, folks: what are your vacation plans this year? If you’re like millions of Americans, you might be opting for a “staycation” this year to save a few bucks by having fun nearer your home.

So how do you really rock an excellent staycation? ConsumerReports.org offers some smart staycation tips, which boil down to this philosophy: treat it like a real vacation that you plan in advance. Don’t just fall into spontaneous activities that aren’t vacation-like, like cleaning out the garage. Use the time off as a chance to discover local interesting activities you’ve always meant to dig into but haven’t.

If you’re planning a staycation, then check out PassiveFamilyIncome’s carnival of blog links on this theme: The Family Summer Vacation Edition. Plenty of clever cost-savers there.

Even if you can muster a few extra bucks to leave town, this post re: 40 Most Useful Travel Sites That Can Save You a Fortune will definitely come in handy.

Last but not least, if you’ve made peace with the staycation this year, but just can’t bear the goofy name, you’ll enjoy travel blog Jaunted’s list of variations on the [blank]-cation theme. Bundle down at the farm on a…haycation! Take your herd of donkeys on a…braycation! Okay, it’s a punster’s dream (or nightmare), but it’s a fun read for your hammock-time, whatever you end up calling it.

[image: State Fair Fun Slide by Benimoto on flickr]
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So if you used some of the time off to trade anyway and made money it would be a 'pay'-cation?...lol

Personally we do the local thing almost every weekend but at least once a month go and do something we haven't done or seen before locally. You would be surprised what is available if you look. We also will sometimes just rent a room at the Marriot or other big name hotel for a night and enjoy the pool and dinner and such for a luxury break sometimes.

Of course, it's always nice to physically get away completely from where you are at though. It just isn't the same being 'away from home' at home.

It does not have to be either/or it can be a combo. If the kids can manage for themselves, send them on vacation while the parents follow the local edition

I'm kicking myself for not buying Euros at 1.30 earlier this spring, because we're going to Italy for the first half of August.  I guess I'll just have to drown my sorrows.  I can hear you crying for me.

leaving tomorrow  going up the coast calif oregon washington see ya in two weeks

Wow, little did I know you guys are staycation experts. Very sharp ideas, Corbinb2 and OldFart (and Corbinb2, the "pay"cation is priceless). OldFart, if you can tap into the grandparents to house the kids on their vacation, I imagine that's the sweet spot that makes everyone happy, eh?

If I'm really going on "away" vacation, I love the open-road concept of carpetman's trip...then again, I can always cozy up to civilization of the sort that Italy excels at. Spshapiro, you won't regret a euro-cent of this trip, I'm sure!