Every day you scroll through Facebook and Instagram to see your friends having the time of their lives on summer vacation! They’re taking road trips, renting cabins, driving boats, sliding down waterslides, and eating ice cream. And you’re at home. Why? Because you can’t afford a summer vacation (there’s a chance that your friends can’t either, and will be thanking Mastercard for those priceless memories) .
Vacations are expensive, that’s the bottom line. A family of four will spend anywhere from $500-$2500 for a week away. So if you don’t have the big bucks to afford one, consider a stay-cation for less than $500 like the Plumb family. Here’s our plan:
Day One: drive to Shawnigan lake and enjoy the afternoon on the dock, FREE. We’ll pick up some groceries and drinks on the way with a $50 budget. Spend the night in the family cabin, FREE.
Day Two: Check out the Duncan Forest Discovery Centre, $43. Then to Cowichan Bay with our first stop
being True Grain bakery for cookies to take back with us $12, Hilary’s Cheeses $15, and lunch at the
Rock Cod Café $60. Head to Goldstream park to finish up the afternoon playing in nature, FREE. Home is
where we will lay our heads tonight.
Day Three: Sidney Spit! Grab a quick breakfast at one of the many cafes along Beacon avenue $25, then
jump on the taxi ferry with enough toys and food for the day, $70 ferry plus $50 food.
Day Four: We’ll be tourists in our own hometown today taking in buskers, and harbour ferry to get ice
cream at Fisherman’s wharf and feed the seals $50
Day Five: Relaxing on one of the secret beaches our area has to offer. Picnic lunch $40.
Total cost $415 which leave a little wiggle room in our $500 stay-cation budget.
When you live in one of the most beautiful, sought-after places in the world, why not enjoy it!
Here are a few other free ideas:
Happy long weekend!
– Graham & Lindsay