No PTO? You can travel without using vacation days. Here’s how

You’ve used up all your paid vacation time in the first half of the year and now you’re ready to go on another trip. Fortunately, you don’t need PTO to take a vacation. Instead, there are some practical things you can do to make sure you don’t take too much time off from work — if at all. Relax by the pool and sip your favorite drink in no time.

Need another reason to go on that much-needed vacation? Studies show that you’ll be happier after a short trip. Plus, vacations give you extra mental stimulation when you get back to work.

Instead of giving up on vacation altogether, check out these ways to travel this summer when you have some time or money to spare.

Get more tools to work on your vacation

Taking your job with you while your family is enjoying a vacation can seem soul-crushing. But if you absolutely must, you can at least make the most of it by working from home from another location. An ocean view beats the back of your coworker’s head any day.

Pay plan to get your phone points. It’s worth the cost to be in an environment that eases your mood, and you can unsubscribe after you return. If lounge chair outlets are limited, bring an external battery pack to keep your devices running. Screen glare reduction helps you see what you’re doing in bright sunlight.

Make sure you know how a corporation works VPN So you can access your files. If you have important meetings that you can’t miss, that’s what video chat apps are for you. Zoom in Or Slack they are . When the sun goes down, you can enjoy the flavors of the area, then stay the weekend and dive in.

Don’t stay at a hotel for your next business trip

You know you can return vacation days before or after a business trip, but consider booking Airbnb for work Instead of staying in a hotel — assuming your company allows it.

You’ll have guaranteed Wi-Fi, 24-hour access to a locker, and more space to bring family or a travel buddy for a local dinner. Airbnb has more of a homey feel than some anonymous hotel room, and you can extend your stay into the weekend — of course you’ll have to pay for the extra days.

Save your hours to buy more days

If you don’t have a lot of vacation time, talk to your manager about working extra hours during the week — two extra hours each day, a Saturday shift or a holiday — like the Fourth of July or Labor Day. Buy a date that suits your travel schedule.

Your boss may be more open if you can fit your extra hours into a deadline. Remember, you’re not asking for overtime pay, just time.

Take Insta-worthy little trips

On a budget? no problem. Take the standby route and check out local events and free concerts nearby using apps like Eventbrite.

Or, pick a spot on the map and see what adventure awaits you, lunch, blankets, One of these top coolers And something to read for an impromptu excursion somewhere new. You can also choose a new activity or destination to do after work every night for a week. You might not “go” anywhere, but you’ll still have fun — and new adventures to show your Instagram followers. Check out Roadtrippers to make your short trips feel more spontaneous.

Give yourself a budget to feel entitled to — try the Tripcoin app for iPhone and Trabee Pocket for Android and iPhone. It saves you money overall because you don’t have to pay for plane tickets or hotels.

Apps help manage weekend travel.

Weekend travel is a tried and true way to get some free time, and you might be surprised how much ground you can cover in just a few days, especially if you’re motivated (or how determined you are).

If you’re flexible on dates, an app like Hopper can predict when hotel and flight prices will be cheapest. If you’re more motivated for the moment, Hotel Tonight will get you last minute hotel deals.

Want to put miles on someone else’s car instead of your own? Turo It’s usually cheaper than most rental companies and you choose the car you want to drive. Plus, you’ll travel faster because you won’t have to drive to a nearby airport to pick up.