Traveling wise: Three enjoyable vacation ideas that everyone can afford
Life is expensive. Any middle-class citizen in the United States knows this to be a cold, hard fact. But life can’t be all work and no play. Though you work hard for what you’re able to enjoy, the time comes every so often when you need to simply get away.
Sometimes, finances stand in the way of being able to take a vacation. This is why the term “staycation” came to be known in the parlance of the time. People generally want to save money no matter what activities they engage in, even if it means staying at home during time off.
The good news is that there are several vacation ideas that don’t require you to barter your soul away on a huge investment. And, many of these vacation ideas don’t even require much travel.
In this article we’ll outline a few of the more enjoyable vacation ideas that will be fun for all ages and genders, and they won’t set you back a year on your savings plan.
1) Bass fishing
As one of the more fun and engaging types of sport fishing around, Bass fishing can be a fun and exhilarating experience for people of all ages. And, the best part is, it’s one of the cheaper fishing trips you can take.
A Bass likes to chase. As such, top-of-water lures are a favorite among anglers. These lures allow a fisherman to lead a Bass right up to the boat, and you can usually watch as they chase after the lure with their mouths wide open.
If you’re willing to learn how to fish for Bass, you’ll be delighted when you’re able to land your first big mouth. And, the good news is that there’s numerous lakes and other regions where Bass fishing is popular, along with several places that offer fishing guide services, charters and the like.
2) Hiking
As of 2021, walking among nature is still free. And in the United States there are numerous hiking trails that anyone can get out and enjoy.
Some of the longer trails such as the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Appalachian Trail require months of planning, training, and savings to embark upon, but these trails also take several months to complete.
But, most of the trails found within national, state and local parks are relatively short and most of them are completely free, aside from a few dollars for a park entry fee in some areas.
Hiking is an activity that allows you to forge a bond with the natural world. You’re able to stand next to the face of nature, and watch as the colors of the landscape change, as dusk turns the forests quiet, and dawn softly wakes them.
You can visit sites like Vacations Made Easy to discover the best hiking trails and activities in Nashville, Tennessee.
3) Hit the beach
Beach vacations can end up costing an arm and a leg in many areas that are home to resorts across the country. But, the fact is that many of these beaches are public, and free.
If you don’t live close to the beach, then you’ll have to make travel arrangements and take lodging into consideration. However, if you know how to play your cards right, you can finance a beach vacation even if your bank account holds next to nothing.
Campgrounds are popular near beach towns, and many of these facilities have primitive camping available and the sites are relatively cheap in most places. All you need to do is bring a tent and some provisions, and you can have yourself a private beach vacation all without having to worry about mortgaging the family home.
Or, if you’re geographically “winning” and you live close enough to the beach, you can simply take a day trip, which is another form of a staycation in itself.
A little creativity goes a long way when planning a budget friendly vacation. And, while you might have to spend a little money to enjoy yourself, sticking to the natural wonders and exploring your free options might bring you much more joy than any resort ever could.
