Family Vacation for $40!
Enjoying the wonderful breeze.
Lovely breeze, waves breaking on the sand, cicadas singing, children laughing…what a lovely setting, a great vacation for almost nothing. Is it possible to take a nice vacation on a shoestring budget?
A few months ago we carved out several days for vacation this summer, planning it after school started so others would NOT be on vacation. But we also wanted to do it before we broke ground on our new homestead, knowing it may be a while before there is time to relax again.
This time we decided to do our two and a half day vacation from home. This had many advantages, including:
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No resort or motel bills
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No need to get someone else to do morning and evening chores
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No packing or unpacking, meaning no down time before or after the vacation
A wet bunch having fun! I didn't get photos of the huge waves this time...this was from several weeks ago.
We did prepare ahead of time by making sure all laundry was done and other loose ends tied up with silver Oak’s’ business so we could focus on family and relaxing. We made computers and phones mostly off limit except for certain short periods of time.
Everyone gave input in planning activities. We chilled out, read a book together, sang, watched videos, washed dishes and cooked together. Sunday night we had a slumber party in the living room (with our sleeping bags…we got lots of sleep, ha, ha!). After a good brunch Monday we visited the public library to read and check out books, then went to the local produce market to check the 2nd’s corner and get discarded produce to feed our animals (some of the kiddos love that!).
Watching a crab beside the boardwalk
Tuesday we went to the beach bright and early before the crowds, swam in the nearby pool, and enjoyed a picnic out at a park which overlooks the bay. After playing on the playground and visiting the bird sanctuary, the tired troop headed for home.
Considering gas, pool expense, and donation to the bird sanctuary, we calculated we spent around $40 dollars total on this vacation, which comes to $5 per person. Not bad. :) And it made for some great family memories.
Now the work begins! We start clearing a driveway on the new homestead…this weekend!
More swimming fun in the pool
