Too Broke for a Vacation?

Everyone we know has been affected one way or another by the current down turn in the economy. Whether they have had hours cut back, or perhaps had to take a job at a fast food place to make ends meet, this adds up to not enough funds to pay for a relaxing tropical vacation.

There are other options if money is tight this year. Better options that might just give you a nice relaxing experience at home. You can plan a "staycation". You might be wondering if that is a real word or not. It is a word that is combined from the word stay and the word vacation. Combined, it means a vacation where you stay at home and which will not cost you any extra money at all.

Here are ideas for a fun themed spa staycation for the single woman. Lock up the electronics and cell phone and start planning your "staycation" right now!

Since the budget is extra important for only one source of income, figure out a workable budget. If you skip the coffee treats for a week of work, do you have money left over? Perhaps $60? This should be enough to get you started on your grocery list.

Items you will need for your special weekend: Sparkling wine, a few chocolates from a high-end chocolatier, fruity smelling bubblebath from a high-end body care shop, a brand new fluffy towel in a delicate aquamarine shade, strawberries, salad, non-fat spray salad dressing, scented candles in a relaxing fragrance such as lavendar, and a low-fat vegetable cookbook.

Now you have your groceries, you can get your home set up. It's a good idea to plan this staycation at least a week in advance. That way you can get your home cleaned from top to bottom. You don't want to do housework on your days off do you? Make sure you finish all your laundry. Do all the ironing and mending. Don't leave any clothes lying in a basket. Put away things just lying around. Declutter, even if it means putting things in the back of the closet. You don't want to deal with these things on your special weekend off.

Now we have made it through the week. It's time to start the staycation.

On your vacation, sleep in every day! Get a nice cup of tea and a fruit salad and yoghurt and take it back to bed. Read a good book and have a light breakfast in bed.

Plan on what you will do that day. Perhaps an afternoon stroll through the local art gallery? When it's time to get ready, set up your bathroom like a spa. Put some nice bath mats on the floor. Put your new fluffy towel onto the countertop. Set up a glass of sparkling wine beside a tray of decadent chocolates. Turn off the lights and light a scented candle. Set up your iPod with speakers and put on relaxing music. Spend the next hour in the bathroom.

After your bath spend a long time putting your makeup on and doing your hair. Put on one of those dresses you have that are too dressy for work, but that you never get to wear out, because you are single. Now is the time to look great for your afternoon out on the town.

Have a great time pretending to be a tourist, but don't spend any money. Go to places that don't cost any money, like art galleries, parks or just window shopping.

Repeat for the next two days. Everyone at work will be envious that you were able to "get away" for a few days!