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 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. |
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. |
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. |
Same 2 years ago. |
I'd say he got screwed. |
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 |
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. |
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. |
+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. |
That sounds very reasonable. |
Whining isn’t scrutiny. |
Then stop whining already. |
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. |