MusicNews

If you have trouble recalling that sand-in-your-toes feeling of a long vacation; you're not the only one. New data shows that a whopping 56 percent of Americans haven't taken a real vacation (one week away from the office) in the last 12 months. What's worse? That’s up from 52 percent in 2012. It's not that we don't need a week away from the grind, it's that we just aren't clocking out. But why?

Even though we're told the recession ended years ago, there's still a widespread feeling that "it’s not over yet." For one thing, real wages are still down relative to before the recession.

According to a Gallup poll from this past May, Americans are still holding onto their dollars, and vacations can be viewed as the ultimate luxury spend. Do we need to go back to the days of piggy banks to put away dollars for a week on island in the sun? Try socking away a few clams every paycheck into a special "vacation fund" savings account. A few months or a year later, you can take that break without racking up major debt.

If you're an hourly contractor, or don't get any paid time off, the expense is even more — loss of wages for the week plus spending more money to lounge around on a hammock somewhere exotic. That can feel like just too much strain on the budget.

A cheap solution might just be in the form of the staycation. Sleep at home and explore your city during the day like a tourist. Just don't check that work email when you get back each night! Here are some quick tips on making your staycation a real relaxing one.

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