Most expensive vacation you’ve ever taken?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW is worth, our net worth is about 2.5M and I just booked an East Africa safari trip for a family of four for 55K including flights.

I know we spend a LOT more on travel than most people in our income bracket (hence our net worth "only" 2.5M). But it is worth it to us.

We find ways to take trips like this but because I work really really hard at it (I only wish my husband understood how hard), we spend a fraction.

For a 10-day safari in Kenya for our family of four, it cost us $16K. Used points for flights for two of the air fares. And because I had been on a safari in Kenya as a teenager and traveled the entire country, I knew what itinerary I wanted and felt comfortable booking everything directly. I also booked for the start of the rainy season, gambling that climate change had impacted rainfall in the Masai Mara. And I was right. No rain -- and absolutely no crowds at all! We had the camps almost to ourselves. Then I just hired a driver recommended by a friend at the World Bank in Nairobi. All of this cut our cost in half.

I guess my point is that you can have these bucket list adventures without breaking the bank. If you are willing to do a ton of research, gaming the points system, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our first vacation to Northern Pakistan felt very expensive and luxurious even though we have had more expensive vacations. Difference between dollar and rupee and availability of affordable services made it feel lavish compared to Europe.

That's always the case when you vacation in impoverished places. Nicaragua is the same. You're incredibly wealthy compared to most there so you get treated like it.

I once was traveling in a European company that had just had a very rapid currency devaluation. We were at a nice restaurant trying to decide what to order and my friend said “this is silly. Bring us one of everything on the menu and then we’ll decide what to get seconds of.” I felt like Henry Viii but the whole thing was well under $10 and included some truly luxury dishes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a classic DCUM pissing contest. You people crack me up.

But why does it make me sad? I'm all for travel, but this level of spending just seems unnecessary and wasteful.

That's your opinion. I'd rather travel than have a BMW, live in a 1.5 mil house, or have expensive bags and jewelry. To each their own.

Yeah I’m one of the Galapagos posters but I donate a lot more every year than I spend on vacations, take the bus to work, where clothes from target and Costco, don’t wear jewelry, don’t have any real hobbies that I spend money on, and my kids go to public school. Almost Everyone has stuff they waste money on — it’s just a question of scale and what your particular poison is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW is worth, our net worth is about 2.5M and I just booked an East Africa safari trip for a family of four for 55K including flights.

I know we spend a LOT more on travel than most people in our income bracket (hence our net worth "only" 2.5M). But it is worth it to us.

We find ways to take trips like this but because I work really really hard at it (I only wish my husband understood how hard), we spend a fraction.

For a 10-day safari in Kenya for our family of four, it cost us $16K. Used points for flights for two of the air fares. And because I had been on a safari in Kenya as a teenager and traveled the entire country, I knew what itinerary I wanted and felt comfortable booking everything directly. I also booked for the start of the rainy season, gambling that climate change had impacted rainfall in the Masai Mara. And I was right. No rain -- and absolutely no crowds at all! We had the camps almost to ourselves. Then I just hired a driver recommended by a friend at the World Bank in Nairobi. All of this cut our cost in half.

I guess my point is that you can have these bucket list adventures without breaking the bank. If you are willing to do a ton of research, gaming the points system, etc.

I'm the PP you quoted and I agree with you. Every experience can be done for a range of costs based on how much effort/work you want to put into it yourself, how much risk you want to take, and how much luxury you want.

I want to put in little of my own effort, feel confident that things will go as envisioned, and to feel luxury.

Both approaches are valid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We spent six figures on a Safari over a decade ago.

Same 2 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend took the MOST expensive vacation of anyone when 28. He went to Cancun Mexico on Spring Break. He madly fell in love with the Shot Girl at the bar. Like you see in the movies. He brought her to the USA, they got married, had a kid, she pushed him to get a new car, new house, get bigger and bigger jobs then after she got citizenship she divorced him, took the kid and half his cash and went back to Mexico.

I'd say he got screwed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a classic DCUM pissing contest. You people crack me up.

But why does it make me sad? I'm all for travel, but this level of spending just seems unnecessary and wasteful.

why? If it bothers you, then you and your family DO NOT do it. But for many of us, we choose to spend on travel instead of other things. As long as we are not in debt and can afford it, why does it matter to you?
I mean I personally think it's ridiculous to spend $25K+ on travel sports for a kid so my kids didn't do travel sports, they did rec leagues. But I get that some people value it and choose to spend

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a classic DCUM pissing contest. You people crack me up.

But why does it make me sad? I'm all for travel, but this level of spending just seems unnecessary and wasteful.

So are big houses, fancy cars and private schools in many instances

so once again, if it feels that way to you, then you don't do those things. Others choose to spend their own money accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a classic DCUM pissing contest. You people crack me up.

People are simply sharing their experiences, why is it a pissing contest to you? Don't like it? Keep on scrolling!

Oh stop. No they’re not. Not when they feel compelled to mention their net worth and that “we also own three houses.” It’s pathetic.

They are mentioning that because many were asking at what NW/Income level do you spend on these fancy vacations. Not to brag, but to put it all in financial perspectives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a classic DCUM pissing contest. You people crack me up.

But why does it make me sad? I'm all for travel, but this level of spending just seems unnecessary and wasteful.

That's your opinion. I'd rather travel than have a BMW, live in a 1.5 mil house, or have expensive bags and jewelry. To each their own.

Yeah I’m one of the Galapagos posters but I donate a lot more every year than I spend on vacations, take the bus to work, where clothes from target and Costco, don’t wear jewelry, don’t have any real hobbies that I spend money on, and my kids go to public school. Almost Everyone has stuff they waste money on — it’s just a question of scale and what your particular poison is.

+1000

And as long as "you can afford it" it's none of anyone else's business. People choose how to spend their money. Everyone is different, makes the world a more interesting place

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a classic DCUM pissing contest. You people crack me up.

But why does it make me sad? I'm all for travel, but this level of spending just seems unnecessary and wasteful.

That's your opinion. I'd rather travel than have a BMW, live in a 1.5 mil house, or have expensive bags and jewelry. To each their own.

Yeah I’m one of the Galapagos posters but I donate a lot more every year than I spend on vacations, take the bus to work, where clothes from target and Costco, don’t wear jewelry, don’t have any real hobbies that I spend money on, and my kids go to public school. Almost Everyone has stuff they waste money on — it’s just a question of scale and what your particular poison is.

+1000

And as long as "you can afford it" it's none of anyone else's business. People choose how to spend their money. Everyone is different, makes the world a more interesting place

Sure, unless of course you post about it on the DCUM Finance forum. Then you're making it everyone's business and inviting scrutiny of your personal spending choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FWIW is worth, our net worth is about 2.5M and I just booked an East Africa safari trip for a family of four for 55K including flights.

I know we spend a LOT more on travel than most people in our income bracket (hence our net worth "only" 2.5M). But it is worth it to us.

We find ways to take trips like this but because I work really really hard at it (I only wish my husband understood how hard), we spend a fraction.

For a 10-day safari in Kenya for our family of four, it cost us $16K. Used points for flights for two of the air fares. And because I had been on a safari in Kenya as a teenager and traveled the entire country, I knew what itinerary I wanted and felt comfortable booking everything directly. I also booked for the start of the rainy season, gambling that climate change had impacted rainfall in the Masai Mara. And I was right. No rain -- and absolutely no crowds at all! We had the camps almost to ourselves. Then I just hired a driver recommended by a friend at the World Bank in Nairobi. All of this cut our cost in half.

I guess my point is that you can have these bucket list adventures without breaking the bank. If you are willing to do a ton of research, gaming the points system, etc.

That sounds very reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a classic DCUM pissing contest. You people crack me up.

But why does it make me sad? I'm all for travel, but this level of spending just seems unnecessary and wasteful.

That's your opinion. I'd rather travel than have a BMW, live in a 1.5 mil house, or have expensive bags and jewelry. To each their own.

Yeah I’m one of the Galapagos posters but I donate a lot more every year than I spend on vacations, take the bus to work, where clothes from target and Costco, don’t wear jewelry, don’t have any real hobbies that I spend money on, and my kids go to public school. Almost Everyone has stuff they waste money on — it’s just a question of scale and what your particular poison is.

+1000

And as long as "you can afford it" it's none of anyone else's business. People choose how to spend their money. Everyone is different, makes the world a more interesting place

Sure, unless of course you post about it on the DCUM Finance forum. Then you're making it everyone's business and inviting scrutiny of your personal spending choices.

Whining isn’t scrutiny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a classic DCUM pissing contest. You people crack me up.

But why does it make me sad? I'm all for travel, but this level of spending just seems unnecessary and wasteful.

That's your opinion. I'd rather travel than have a BMW, live in a 1.5 mil house, or have expensive bags and jewelry. To each their own.

Yeah I’m one of the Galapagos posters but I donate a lot more every year than I spend on vacations, take the bus to work, where clothes from target and Costco, don’t wear jewelry, don’t have any real hobbies that I spend money on, and my kids go to public school. Almost Everyone has stuff they waste money on — it’s just a question of scale and what your particular poison is.

+1000

And as long as "you can afford it" it's none of anyone else's business. People choose how to spend their money. Everyone is different, makes the world a more interesting place

Sure, unless of course you post about it on the DCUM Finance forum. Then you're making it everyone's business and inviting scrutiny of your personal spending choices.

Whining isn’t scrutiny.

Then stop whining already.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Such a classic DCUM pissing contest. You people crack me up.

But why does it make me sad? I'm all for travel, but this level of spending just seems unnecessary and wasteful.

That's your opinion. I'd rather travel than have a BMW, live in a 1.5 mil house, or have expensive bags and jewelry. To each their own.

+1. Travel and experiences are high priorities for us. Material things not as much. You would be surprised of our NW if you saw our home or car. The travel and multiple trips is what gives it away that we have some money.

Same with us. Our day to day lives are pretty simple. Both of us have jobs where we don't need to dress up so DH is in jeans/shorts and tshirts (half of which were free from various conventions he's been a part of) and I wear scrubs. We don't like "stuff" so our house is big enough for what we need and that's it. Our cars are as simple as can be for what we need (safety plus a few amenities). But we spend big on vacations and take a lot of them.