Vacation Bliss: 7 Budget-friendly Staycation Ideas for Single Women Needing a Break

Dear Sweet Friends,

Are you in need of some budget-friendly vacation ideas?  Great News!  A Staycation can be the perfect way to treat yourself to a much-needed break without breaking the bank.  Whether you’re interested in exploring your local parks, trying a new hobby, or simply relaxing at home, there are plenty of budget-friendly staycation ideas that are perfect for single women.  So why not plan your own staycation today and enjoy all the benefits that come with taking a break from your daily routine.

Why are staycations so popular?

In recent years, staycations have become increasingly popular among individuals who want to take a break from their busy lives without breaking the bank. Staycations offer the perfect opportunity to have some fun, discover new and interesting places, and, most of all, relax and unwind in the comfort of your city or town. A staycation also can be done alone, if you cannot find a vacation buddy to join you. They can be an especially great option for single women looking for a budget-friendly way to treat themselves. 

How to plan a budget-friendly staycation?

First and Foremost, take a look at your workplace vacation calendar and see what days work for you to take some time off. Remember, vacations are not just limited to the summer months; you have the whole year at your disposal. At this point, we suspect some of you may start making excuses as to why taking time off work is a bad idea. You may fear you have too much work, and therefore taking time off will make things worse.

But this is where we remind you that you cannot pour from an empty cup. We are humans. We need time off to rest and restore. So Sweet Friends, this is where we suggest you shift your mindset; your workplace offers time off, whether it is two days (weekend) or a few weeks; it is yours, and it’s part of your compensation, so take it. Here’s to crushing that vacation guilt! Go ahead, choose some days, and put in your request.

Second, create a budget, and establish how much you can afford to spend on your staycation. Remember, you’re in control here. You can choose to spend as little or as much as you desire. Third, get intentional, and establish some rules for your budget-friendly staycation, such as “no work-related email or phones.”  If you don’t have the luxury of doing this, then carve out a specific time in the day when you address your work-related demands, relay that to your boss or team members. You’ve got to set boundaries, Sweet Friends! Last but not least, create a flexible itinerary, and choose the activity or activities you want to engage in during your budget-friendly staycation.

8 budget-friendly staycation ideas you can do at any season

So while the summer is usually the time many people start thinking about vacation, time off from work can be done anytime during the year. In this blog post, we’ll share some budget-friendly staycation ideas for single women that won’t break the bank, and you can do anytime during the year.

Here are some budget-friendly staycation ideas that you should consider:

1. Have a Spa Day at Home

Who says you need to go to a fancy spa to pamper yourself? You can have a spa day at home with a few inexpensive items. Start by lighting some scented candles and playing some relaxing music. Then, fill up your bathtub with warm water, add some bubble bath, and soak for as long as you want. You can also make your own at-home-beauty treatment using ingredients from your kitchen. We included this link to give you some ideas, so get to mixing and applying the masks to your face and hair, put on a bathrobe, and relax!

2.    Cook a Fancy Dinner at Home

Who says you need to go to a fancy restaurant to have a fancy dinner?  You can cook a gourmet meal at home with a few ingredients and some recipes from the internet.  Pick a dish you’ve always wanted to try, such as homemade pasta, grilled salmon, or chocolate souffle.  Buy the ingredients from your local grocery store and follow the recipe step by step.  You can also set the table with your best dishes and cutlery, light some candles, and put on some soft music.  Voila!  You have a restaurant-quality meal at home.

3.    Take a Cooking Class

If cooking is not your specialty, another great way to spend your budget-friendly staycation is by taking a cooking class.  Not only will you learn a new skill, but you’ll also get to enjoy some delicious food. Many local cooking schools offer classes that are designed for people of all skill levels, so whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, there’s sure to be a class that’s perfect for you.

4. Have a Movie Marathon

Having a movie marathon is a versatile and budget-friendly staycation idea because you can either engage in it if you are in need of some serious downtime, if you are in the mood for a lazy day, or if you want to be social and host your friends. Start by picking a theme, such as romantic comedies, action movies, or focus on films that will help you unwind and relax. Nowadays, with streaming services, you have plenty to choose from. Then stock up on your favorite snacks, have your favorite food delivery app handy in case you want some yummy take-out,snuggle up on your couch and spend the day watching your favorite movies. 

5. Have a Game Night

If you’re in the mood for some friendly competition, why not have a game night? Invite some friends over and play some board games, card games, or video games. You can also have a karaoke contest, a dance party, or a talent show. What about a two-for-one, adding a movie trivia game to your movie marathon social gathering and giving out prizes for the winners. Don’t forget to have some snacks and drinks on hand, and take lots of pictures!

6. Explore Your Local Area

You don’t need to travel far to have an adventure. Take some time to explore your local area and discover new places you’ve never been to before. Visit a museum, an art gallery, or a historical site. Take a walk in a park or a nature reserve. Rent a bike and explore your city’s bike trails. Go on a hike! You don’t need to travel far to find some scenic trails. Research local hikes in your area and pick one that suits your fitness level.

Consider a budget-friendly staycation tour. Many local tour companies offer guided tours that are designed to help you discover hidden gems and local attractions that you might not have known about otherwise. From food tours to historic walking tours, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Many of these activities can either be free or offer discounted rates for local residents, so be sure to check out what’s available in your area. You’ll be surprised by how much you can learn and how much fun you can have exploring and discovering your own backyard. Let the adventure begin!

7. Try a New Hobby

Another great way to spend your budget-friendly staycation is by trying a new hobby. Whether you’ve always wanted to learn how to knit, paint, or play an instrument, now is the perfect time to give it a try. There are plenty of online tutorials and resources available to help you get started, so all you need to do is pick a hobby and dive in. Check out this great article about how to start a hobby. Here are some ideas  to inspire you!

Vacation is necessary! Make it a Priority!

We are aware that the U.S. does not offer mandatory vacation time or leave. Paid Time Off is an exception, not the norm. So we suggest that if you don’t have Paid Time Off or you have a limited amount of days off, use at least one day out of your weekend (or days off) or block out a whole weekend each month to engage in the activities we mentioned in this post.

Studies have shown that a slight mindset shift — treating your weekend like a vacation  — can reduce stress and increase your happiness. So for those of our Sweet Friends, who have some restriction on their vacation time , we encourage you to treat your weekends like a vacation.

Thank you for reading Sweet Friends. Have a wonderful day!

Please share with us other budget-friendly staycation ideas.