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Not Enough PTO Days? Here’s How To Maximize Your Vacation This Year

By Mallory Levy | January 2, 2025
Image via Pexels / Vincent Rivaud

While mapping out goals and vision boards for the year ahead, don’t forget to plan your vacations. Even without unlimited PTO, you can still plan the trip of a lifetime (or a few  smaller trips, if that’s your style). It might take a little more calendar math, but we’ve outlined the best ways to make all your wanderlust dreams come true, regardless of your company’s PTO policy.

Transform 11 Vacation Days into 42 Days Off

January: New Year’s Day fell on a Wednesday this year. For a five-day break—if you were smart—you would have taken off Thursday, January 2 and Friday, January 3.

January: Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, January 20. For a four-day weekend, take Tuesday, January 21, off.

February: President’s Day lands on Monday, February 17. For a four-day Valentine’s Day weekend, take off the Friday before (February 14).

May: Memorial Day is on Monday, May 26. Kick off summer with a four-day weekend by taking off Friday, May 23. 

June: Juneteenth falls on Thursday, June 19. For a four-day break, take off the following day, Friday, June 20.

July: Independence Day is on a Friday this year, so take Thursday, July 3, off for a four-day vacation. A lucky few will also get the day after July 4th off (observed on Monday, July 7 this year).

September: Labor Day falls on Monday, September 1. Get an extra long four-day weekend by taking off Tuesday, September 2.

October: Indigenous People’s Day is on Monday, October 13. Take Friday, October 10, off for a four-day break.

November: Veterans Day falls on Tuesday, November 11. For a four-day weekend, take Monday, November 10, off. 

November: Thanksgiving is on Thursday, November 27 this year. If you  already have Friday, November 28, off, take either Wednesday, November 26, or Monday, December 1, off for a five-day vacation.

December: Christmas is on a Thursday this year. If you’re lucky enough to have Friday, December 26, off, make sure to request Monday, December 29, off for another five-day break.

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