What does “staycation” mean to you?

For some people, it means getting lots of home and garden projects done – painting, repairs, or tending vegetable gardens. For others, it means having budget-friendly adventures at or close to home – nearby parks and attractions, a neighborhood block party or a camping trip in the yard.

Staycations have become quite popular due to economic challenges, allowing more families to vacation while sticking to a budget. Other benefits include more quality time with family, and not dealing with the stress associated with traveling.

No matter what your staycation plans, BBB recommends that you check it out ahead of time to make sure the business (hotel, theme park, resort) or offer (coupon, discount, promotion) is legitimate. Breaking the bank to vacation is not a good option, but fortunately, most consumers are budgeting wisely and making smart decisions. According to an American Express survey, American households can expect to spend about an average of $1,200 per person on summer vacations. It’s no surprise staycations have become commonplace.

Hanging out with the family and chillin’ close to home is especially attractive to people on a budget who don’t want to go into debt financing a big trip. But there are plenty of fun things to do nearby, as you’ll discover in ClearPoint Credit Counseling’s eBook, Budget Vacations in Your State. In this free eBook, there are several exciting opportunities listed for each state -- and this could inspire you to conduct your own search for other free and inexpensive activities in your own backyard.

Those of you who still plan to travel this summer will be accompanied by more travelers than last year.  Eighty-six percent of travelers are planning trips this summer (up five percent from last year), according to TripAdvisor. Thanks to lower gas prices, more people will travel by car than by air.

Hitting the road or staycation at home, either way check out the businesses you deal with by heading first to www.bbb.org.