Listen, family vacations are soooo 2005-6. Homes were cash machines, a recession seemed impossible. Gas was ... well, it wasn't $4 a gallon. Airlines didn't charge for checked luggage! Back then, vacations weren't a choice, they were a right ... no, a duty! 

So I hope you took plenty of pictures. Since this summer is all about the housing crisis, recessions, expensive food and unimaginably high gas, you'll likely be vacationing -- or, as the travel world is calling it, "staycationing" -- in familiar surroundings this summer. Sure, it's a bad thing, but we have some ideas.

A "staycation" (or lame-cation, call it what you want) comes in many forms. The key is it takes place at or near your home -- no driving or restaurant meals needed.

1. Stores are counting on the staycation, selling backyard games, outdoor furniture and grills grills, grills (a filet-cation?)

2. For those who don't want to shell out for a weekend room at the downtown Courtyard Marriott, there are daycations to local museums, pools, beaches or the zoo.

3. The divine and thrifty could always go on a praycation -- sign up for a church retreat (just hide out in the cabin reading all weekend if devotions aren't your thing) or pack on the church bus and enjoy the group discount on theme park tickets.

4. Also an option are laycations -- beg grandma to babysit for the weekend and do something you never, ever get to -- your spouse!

5. Here are some staycation ideas for New Yorkers from last year's Timeout. This is what they're doing in Cleveland.

What are you doing at home this summer? 

Photo: slickrock.com