Convince me travel is always worth it!

[Anonymous]

Making summer memories with kids! It’s always worth the money, right?

We start a home renovation project this summer and won’t be taking our usual big trip. We have a plan to take a shorter, closer beach trip, just so we can make some memories with our kids. We can afford it, but it’s just the amount where, if things go crazy with our reno budget, we will kick ourselves for spending the money foolishly, but if not, we will be glad we went. Either way, the kids really love a week at the beach every summer, and we really enjoy the closeness and memories throughout the year.

So convince me, one way or the other!

[Anonymous]

Do want you want with your money. Everyone has different priorities, and they change over time (sometimes).

[Anonymous]

Don't go for the sake of "making memories". Too much pressure for a vacation. Go if you will enjoy it. A week or even a few days is always worth it if you will truly feel better during and after it- but not if you spend the whole time thinking about how to make the best memories.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t even be doing a reno at all, if taking a localish beach trip would be financially stressful or cost prohibitive. Sounds like the reno is not really affordable to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t even be doing a reno at all, if taking a localish beach trip would be financially stressful or cost prohibitive. Sounds like the reno is not really affordable to you.

Don’t be a dick. Sheesh. As if you know anything about OP’s finances.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t even be doing a reno at all, if taking a localish beach trip would be financially stressful or cost prohibitive. Sounds like the reno is not really affordable to you.

Don’t be a dick. Sheesh. As if you know anything about OP’s finances.

I know that if I would feel stressed about a $5k beach trip I absolutely would NOT be doing any sort of reno. Period. If a beach trip is the tipping point, the reno is not affordable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t even be doing a reno at all, if taking a localish beach trip would be financially stressful or cost prohibitive. Sounds like the reno is not really affordable to you.

Don’t be a dick. Sheesh. As if you know anything about OP’s finances.

I know that if I would feel stressed about a $5k beach trip I absolutely would NOT be doing any sort of reno. Period. If a beach trip is the tipping point, the reno is not affordable.

Stay on topic. She didn’t ask you to be her financial planner. Breathe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t even be doing a reno at all, if taking a localish beach trip would be financially stressful or cost prohibitive. Sounds like the reno is not really affordable to you.

Don’t be a dick. Sheesh. As if you know anything about OP’s finances.

I know that if I would feel stressed about a $5k beach trip I absolutely would NOT be doing any sort of reno. Period. If a beach trip is the tipping point, the reno is not affordable.

Stay on topic. She didn’t ask you to be her financial planner. Breathe.

She said convince her one way or the other.

Don’t take the trip OP. And maybe don’t do the reno either if it’s not too late.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, it's not always worth it. Better to make home a good place than to repeatedly run away from it.

[Anonymous]

Figure out a plan for an awesome staycation.

Kids remember the funniest things and very rarely what you spent the most money on.

My kids have been on a lot of vacations so now they are little homebodies.

I bet if you asked your kids what would be as much fun to do on a staycation, they could come up with a list.

Can you maybe go to an amusement park for a couple of days and stay at a hotel with a pool and maybe a slide?

[Anonymous]

I’d do a beach trip, but maybe stay fewer days or rent a cheaper place.

[Anonymous]

Well no, it’s not always worth it. It’s worth it when you have the money and time to enjoy it. A trip where you’re going to be worried about every dollar you spend because you don’t know how it’ll impact the reno is going to be stressful. This sounds like a situation where you had money for a reno OR a big trip but not both and you chose the reno. Do a weekend beach trip max; you will be too worried about the money to enjoy a more expensive trip and renovations almost always go over budget so that $5k probably will matter later on.

For general purposes, if the cost of the trip happens to be a big deal to us at that time for whatever reason, it’s a no go for me. The money has to be something that we won’t miss for me to be able to securely plan that vacation and actually enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

I've had some regrettable trips, so no - not always worth it. Weather, moods, unpleasant mishaps - they don't always make for fond memories and that's what I want for my travel dollar. But you often only judge it in hindsight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Making summer memories with kids! It’s always worth the money, right?

We start a home renovation project this summer and won’t be taking our usual big trip. We have a plan to take a shorter, closer beach trip, just so we can make some memories with our kids. We can afford it, but it’s just the amount where, if things go crazy with our reno budget, we will kick ourselves for spending the money foolishly, but if not, we will be glad we went. Either way, the kids really love a week at the beach every summer, and we really enjoy the closeness and memories throughout the year.

So convince me, one way or the other!

Dear lord NO.
This is such a personal decision. Sometimes the best memory is being financially responsible and having enough cash and energy for your Reno!! Not everyone recharges the same way. If it will replenish you to go away, by all means do so! If it will deplete you then don’t. It’s basically up to you and if YOU need the getaway. Making memories with the kids can be done anywhere. Kids are malleable and they will remember all the “nothings” just as much as the “somethings” just like I do for my childhood.

[Anonymous]

It's not always worth it and I don't go for the forced "making memories" stuff but you said your kids really love the beach. Assuming you don't live near one, considering you're not taking another trip and given the stress of the reno, it does sound like the trip would be worthwhile.