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Tips to turn a staycation into a real vacation without blowing your budget
Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Rachel DePompa , KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 20, 2026
· 2 min read
( InvestigateTV ) — A new WalletHub survey finds high gas prices are reshaping summer travel for a majority of Americans, with 59 percent saying transportation costs have affected their plans and 51 percent planning to spend less than last year. John Kiernan, managing editor at WalletHub, said th...
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Summary created by The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Rachel DePompa, KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway John Kiernan, managing editor at WalletHub, said the three biggest vacation expenses — lodging, travel and dining out — can largely be eliminated by staying closer to home.
Why this matters in The Midland
For Midland residents, the concept of a staycation takes on added significance given the city's remote location and limited transportation options. With high gas prices affecting travel plans, exploring local attractions and events becomes an attractive alternative. By adopting the mindset of a traditional vacation, families can discover new experiences in their own backyard, such as visiting local parks, attending community events, or trying out new restaurants. The Permian Basin area offers a range of free or low-cost activities, from hiking and biking trails to museums and cultural festivals. By researching these options, Midland families can create a memorable staycation without breaking the bank. Additionally, local businesses can benefit from the increased foot traffic and spending, boosting the local economy. As the summer months come to a close, Midland residents can take advantage of the remaining warm weather to plan a fun and budget-friendly staycation that supports their community.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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What is this story about? ( InvestigateTV ) — A new WalletHub survey finds high gas prices are reshaping summer travel for a majority of Americans, with 59 percent saying transportation costs have affected their plans and 51 percent planning to spend less than last year. John Kiernan, managing editor at WalletHub, said th...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Rachel DePompa at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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