Who is “you”? You realize not everyone is UMC, right? You really think the average American has 200k saved per kid? We don’t and we are still taking trips. Not too far away places and luxury resorts, but domestic and a couple of international ones. Not everyone is loaded Susan. |
You don’t have to be “loaded” to save for college. Twelve years ago when my spouse and I were each making under $50k, we started saving for college for any future children we might have. Just putting aside $200/month. Our children are 8 and 6 now and we have $125k and $100k in each kid’s account. It’s a start. |
Not if you have a strong state system and are fine with the in-state choices. Worked for us and our kids would be lucky to have our life when they are grown! $120-$160k is plenty for that. |
Alaska
Iceland Mediterranean Cruise Dubai/Singapore Japan/Korea Safari South Africa |
How is London/Paris and Hawaii trendy? We went to both those places in the past year and had amazing memories at both. It was nice to be able to do big trips again after Covid. If it isn’t in your budget, that is fine but no reason to put down others. |
We went to Tanzania this summer with two teens and it was amazing. |
My kids have a wealthy uncle and aunt who take them on exotic vacations with their family so they’re much better travelled than us LOL. We are saving our pennies to all go together to Antarctica, with a side of Patagonia. |
To add to the list : Brazil. And Bhutan. Or Nepal. |
Tanzania travelers…how did you get there and where do you stay? Need more info because I would love to go! Thank you! |
And what is the approximate cost of this? |
We had wanted to go to Europe the summer after our oldest graduated HS but covid killed that and then summers got hard with a lot of conflicts. We did however make it to most of the US destinations we wanted to get to -- Hawaii, Alaska (cruise with the whole family for my parents 50th wedding anniversary), Grand Canyon, Maine. Maybe we can do a Europe trip next year when both kids are in college and both have a long January break. |
My kids are too young for us to plan a bucket list trip, but my parents did one for me when I was in high school. We did Victoria Falls (both Zimbabwean and Zambian sides, plus a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana), we then travelled by bus to Lusaka to see family friends (very memorable, but not comfortable by any means). We then flew to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia for a few days/nights of safari time. It was a great trip, and I want to say it was around two weeks in length. |
We also went to Tanzania with HS and MS aged kids. It was awesome! Flew directly into Arusha- stayed there to get over jet lag, and then 7 day safari to Serengeti, Ngorongoro crater. Most expensive trip we’ve taken, but also, I think, most inspiring and memorable for our kids. |
You are so out of touch with the average person’s situation. The majority of people on EARTH will never even have that much saved for themselves, much less for each of their kids college funds. Honestly, college funding for your kids is a rich people thing. Poor and middle class parents (I’m in that bucket) maybe save up or cash flow as much as they reasonably can, and let the kid rely on scholarships, loans and other financial aid like work-study and grants for the rest. Many kids also join the military to get college funding. Kids with large college funding from their parents are the exception, not the rule. |
We booked with Tanzania Choice Safari, a company owned by a husband/wife team (she's American; he's Tanzanian). They arranged guides and hotels. I cannot recommend them enough. |