Having spent two weekends of working, they are now ready for a break. Having also spent two weekends of earning money, they are also prepared for a vacation, and this anticipation is part of the fun.

In order to stop the kids from groaning at the suggestion of a staycation, it has to be planned like a real vacation. For instance, draw up a schedule and pencil in the evenings when you will be eating out, ordering take out etc., and make sure that they have input into some of the choices.

The schedule must be drawn up before they start the two weekends of working, to help with the incentive and anticipation. Put in fun stuff like visiting a museum or water park, or going on a family picnic.

Also on the schedule, plan to take in the local sights that maybe you have not yet bothered to check out. Plan a visit to a fireworks show and take a blanket, hot dogs, and drinks. Suggest you all bike together around the local lake, or go to the beach for a trip. If the beach is far, plan to camp there for two nights.

Start your staycation at home to prepare to spend the next two nights in the local campsite (or at the beach); the packing and prep work for this can be fun for kids.

Come back home to re-coup, and spend the next couple of nights at home, followed by one or two nights stopping in a nearby hotel. While you're on the 'at home' period, there must be no cooking except BBQ's; no housework, so do the vacuuming before the vacation starts; and no washing dishes - so buy paper plates.

This type of vacation will require a little preparation from you; shopping will need to be done in advance and ice boxes and camping gear will need to be checked. (Laying the tent out in the yard can be one of the kids' chores.) A good old fashioned 'vacation' can be very therapeutic for your family, and lead to loads of family bonding. As an added bonus, all the work you'll have done around the house will build your home equity, thus adding to your future financial security. M Shane