superdad

As someone who enjoys taking a breather from your daily grind what better to talk about vacations and what to do on those few precious days we somehow still find in our busy lives.  First off many people might not have the luxoury of vacation days at work so sometimes just taking advantage of a three day weekend is the closest thing you may have to getting away.  Here are some tips from my most rescnet experinces.

If you are someone that lives nearby Chicago Illinois my first tip especially if you have young children is take a stop at Kiddie Land in Melrose Park.  It might not be Great America but in your children’s eyes it is the same if not better.  Kiddie Land has been around since your grandparents were children and it one of those destinations you just got to see before there is no more. As of right now the family that owns the rights to this magnificent park is not renewing its lease with Melrose Park for next year so the park could become just another strip mall in due time.  So if you got a day to catch this park out before it goes for good now is a good time to visit.  Kiddieland .com is a great way to start looking at what the prices are and what those prices include in the admission.  You will be pleasantly surprised that your admission includes amenities that many amusement parks these days cannot afford due too their large stature.

If a amusement park is not up your allie why not just go to the beach.  The beach is the most inexpensive way to enjoy a day in the hot sun.  Most beaches that are around Chicago and Northwest Indiana are not going to break you as far as your wallet.  If you plan ahead as far a packing a cooler with snacks or food for the day then the price of the beach  becomes even lower.  Of course check the beach you are going to before you go in case their are any closures.  Moreover,  the children love the water and if you know a child that is not happy being on a beach then I think your kid may be from Mars.

My last suggestion for fun in the sun on a staycation is try to find a deal on a pool.  If you are not a fan of big crowds at a beach or amusement park then try to find a deal on a swimming pool.  I just recently got a pool from someone who was upgrading theirs and sold theirs for a lesser amount.  It is simply perfect for those hot days especially if you need a break from the extra rise in ac operation cost in the summer.  When you are in a pool ac is no longer a necessity but a luxury once again because you found a more cooler and enjoyable way to enjoy the summer without being trapped inside your house.   Now there may be some operational costs for running that pool but is less compared to paying large amounts of money on you electric bill.  Trust me the cost is worth it and plus it is only a seasonal item that does nto require year long maintance especially if you have a pool that is smaller and easier to disasemble at the end of the summer.  There are many inexpenisve ways to have a pool these days you just got to see where the bargains are or to know someone that has a some expereince dealing with swimming pools.

Recently these three stay cation ideas helped our family have one of our best 4th of July weeks ever and it did not cost us an arm and a leg.  Sometimes you just got to plan smarter and not harder.  You worked hard for those days off in the summer and at the very least take advantage of every oppurtuntiy to get out but make sure too that your not hurting yourself finacially in doing so.  We all want to keep up with the Jones’s but in reality some people can not because of these hard economic times.  Trust me a little less can be a whole lot more and you may think more positive going with a staycation over a vacation after trying a couple of my ideas.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS