Staycation sales get silly

Staycation has become the marketing buzzword of the season. I've been guilty of using it in writing myself, but last night I was watching TV and a commercial came on that made me think it's all gone too far.

The furniture store Raymour and Flanigan was having a Staycation Sale. "Gas prices put the brakes on your vacation plans? Take a staycation instead and create the ultimate getaway with Raymour & Flanigan!" their ad says.

Lots of retailers have tried to jump on the bandwagon of people saving money by staying at or near home for vacation this summer. USAToday reported in May that big box retailers were targeting homeowners with backyard equipment. I've seen ads just on Maine cabin rentals hawking their places as a staycation for other Maine residents.

If you're going to save thousands of dollars by not driving or flying out west this summer, sure, go splurge. Buy a new grill or Adirondack chair to make your backyard more fun. But spend hundreds or thousands on furniture instead? Raymour and Flanigan furniture may be nice and might well be a great improvement to your home. But I think it defeats the purpose of saving money by staying near home.