Fishing Frenzy

Keeping an eye on your budget during your time off from work can be a challenge, particularly during a sluggish economy. It used to be that families traveled on vacation, spending money on airfare, hotels, and restaurants while away from home, but more and more people are keeping it low-key. You might find that the answer for you is to look into a staycation this year instead of a vacation.

You might actually enjoy the process of renovating your home, preferring to do improvements instead of hiring professionals. Since you've got a week off from work, why not take one room and work on changing it into something bold and new. There are so many options to explore, including painting it a vibrant color with accent trim, shining up light fixtures and fans, and moving furniture around.

Set off on a cultural journey by heading to the museum, local art venues, and your town's library. Get in touch with the history of the area in which you live, and find out the back story of your town or state. For example, New Jersey is called the "Garden State" and Missouri is the "Show me State." Find out why at a bookstore you love, and not only will you get some culture, you'll learn something new as well.

Schedule a day of you-time by going to a day spa, perhaps even getting a manicure and pedicure. Make time for a massage, and get your hair done in a different, dramatic style. You might consider changing the color of your hair or adding highlights. If you're open to the idea, you may want to try out a henna tattoo.

Try a theme for each night of the week. On "picture day," you can see a movie, take pictures of the sunset, and then rent a movie for later on that night. On "animal day," you might consider visiting a zoo or local farm and then watching animal shows on television. Perhaps you could go root for a local baseball team on "sports day," then watch "Field of Dreams" later on at home.

Get outdoors and get active, weather permitting. Hiking is a great way to soak in beautiful scenery while also getting a nice workout. Camping out with friends under the stars can make you feel connected to nature for an old-fashioned and low-tech adventure. See if your group can do it without any of the usual luxuries that have become necessities, such as cell phones, PDAs, and portable games. Try to connect with each other and the wild at the same time.

Money is always a factor when we think about a vacation, but you don't need to spend a fortune to find fun during your time off from work. With a bit of research, you can find interesting sights to visit in your town and you can have a fabulous stay at home vacation you'll really enjoy.