It seems I'm hearing the words "tight budget" everywhere these days and people's schedules are jam-packed with such long TO DO lists that they're lamenting, "There's no time for fun!" That scenario can make for frayed nerves, but it doesn't have to be that way!
Enter my "Budget Bliss Mini-Vacation Principle!"
My hubby Steve and I have been practicing this M.O. for years, and with two busy careers it doesn't always come easily for us; we've made a conscious choice to live this way, finding creative and economical ways to incorporate relaxing "mini-vacations" on a regular basis, even when our TO DO list is very long. And these days, it's good to be "unplugged" for awhile too.
How can YOU creatively do this in your own life? :) It's not rocket science by any means, but it does take creativity and discipline to DO IT in spite of your long TO DO LIST!
1. Movie-licious. Who says you can only see one movie at a time? Why not buy several discount tickets for early morning weekend movie matinees and see two movies in a row, or three?! After three movies--trust me, your mind will have had a "vacation" and you'll feel like you've been a million miles away!
2. Home Movie Moxie. If movie theaters aren't your thing, buy inexpensive CDs online, and on Friday night after work order in a pizza, turn off the cell phones, and have a three-movie marathon. For a few dollars, it's guaranteed to take the edge off a busy work week so you can wind down more easily into the weekend. Our personal favorites to snuggle up to are: Casablanca. (Steve loves vintage movies.) You've Got Mail. (I love NYC, bookstores, and brownstones.) Under the Tuscan Sun. (Both of us love the Tuscan scenery.)
3. Lookout Love. When's the last time you found the highest point in your city and took binoculars up there to look at the stars? (And had a little kiss?!) Enough said!
4. Museum Madness. How about taking in your local museum, or two, on a Sunday afternoon? My hubby has it on his list to tour our San Diego's maritime museum soon.
5. Captivating Cappuccinos. When's the last time you left the kids with grandma and sleuthed out your new favorite cappuccino place to take your mate to on a Sunday afternoon as a surprise? No talk about the kids, or dogs, or work allowed. Instead, it's a little romantic rendezvous for you two as a couple. Kiss kiss! Do this regularly and I'd be willing to bet you'll still be happily married to your same mate in 30 years!!
6. Restful Retreat. Is there a retreat center anywhere near where you live? We love to go to Mission San Luis Rey. They have both overnight and twilight retreats, and you can even do a private personal retreat which clears the mind to think. (That seems to be a very old-fashioned concept in our plugged-in age but great sages, monks, saints, and mystics who've gone before us have lots to teach us!) Google your city/retreat center to find one near you or ask your minister for a referral.
7. Resort Restoration. How about taking yourself to lunch at your nearest resort? As in all alone, so that when you do reunite with your mate you'll be a delight to be around! If you don't live in an area ripe with tropical-style resorts like I do, check out your nearest city's Embassy Suites, Hilton, Hyatt, or other large hotel chain as sometimes they have indoor pool areas lush with flora, fauna, and a restaurant where you'll feel like you're on a tropical Hawaiian vacation. They might even let you have your lunch poolside. I used to do this when I lived in the cold Midwestern winters; it worked wonders every time!
8. Library Love. Check yourself into the nearest library. Not only are there free books, but they often have wonderful lectures, and other interesting resources. Not to mention travel magazines. Or why not forget being hooked up to the Internet for awhile and take your kids to your local library story hour instead?
9. Crazy for Cookies. Put on your favorite cozy PJs and a great jazz CD, and bake several kinds of cookies with your mate on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Or how about making a batch of fudge? And while you're at it; dance in your kitchen! Can marital bonding get any, um, sweeter?!
10. Garden Tours and Shows. Is there a garden tour or two in your city? My hubby and I have long attended every local garden tour we can dig up (couldn't resist that pun!) and we always come away feeling like we were just on a vacation.
11. Santa Barbara Serenade. You say you don't live in sunny Santa Barbara, California, or other tropical locale where the palm trees sway in the breeze? Well, why not re-create the ambiance at home instead? Acquaintances of ours who grew up in Santa Barbara and missed it when they moved to the Midwest decorated their bathroom in a tropical theme and colors to remind them of home. Long hot soaks in their oversized oval tub felt...oh so good!
12. House Tour Heaven. My hubby and I have long been fans of annual "Street of Dreams" house tours. Play "King and Queen for a Day" in your town and imagine what it would be like to live in that big fancy house with a beautiful bathroom the size of a football field. The best part about it? You don't have to clean the tub or pay the taxes!!
13. Toes in the Sand or Snow. Why not take a Sunday afternoon to eat lunch at your favorite beach restaurant and go for a walk on the beach with your mate? No beach? Then put on your hiking boots, tromp through the snow to your favorite food haunt, and enjoy a steaming cup of hot chocolate. And if you're really feeling frisky afterwards, make a snow angel! Or hike up your local mountain together if that's more your style.
14. Couples Massage. Can grandma watch the kids while you two enjoy a couples massage? Massage Envy offers great discount prices.
15. Paraffin Panache. When my toes got so cold in the Midwestern winters that I thought they'd literally freeze, I treated myself to a paraffin pedicure and then met my hubby for hot coffee afterwards.
We recently practiced the "Budget Bliss Mini-Vacation Principle" on a Sunday afternoon by having lunch outdoors on the patio at the beautiful St. Regis hotel, which overlooks the Pacific Ocean near Dana Point, California. The property, grounds, garden, and views are simply stunning! And we had a fun time meeting some new friends there...
Meet charmingly adorable Ron and Lisa Beres, a.k.a. "The Healthy Home Dream Team." Lisa and I met online several years ago when I was searching for green home products, so we finally decided to meet in person. The four of us had a wonderful time getting to know each other. Lisa and Ron are indeed very knowledgeable and professionally trained on how to make your home and lifestyle green, and they're national speakers who have been featured in many media outlets.
Bye for now; I know you're headed off on a...mini-vacation!
Kathryn :)
