Travel with kids or when retired?

[Anonymous]

I often see posts about people needing a ton of money for retirement, as they plan to take numerous expensive trips they wouldn’t take while in their 30/40/50s. I don’t get the sentiment. I am now nearing the end of what’s probably the most exhausting trip I’ve taken in my lifetime and I can’t begin to imagine what it would do to my health and body to travel like this when I’m 60 or 70. I just wouldn’t be able to do it. How do people assume they’ll have the strength to pull this off?

[Anonymous]

I agree. Out of curiosity, what was the exhausting trip? How long and where did you go? I feel so sorry for all the doddering old people I see everywhere these days. Honestly, it’s downright dangerous for a lot of them to be out and about.

[Anonymous]

We travel a lot now and also hope to do so in retirement and are saving aggressively to do so because as you note, the tolerance to deal with discomfort decreases exponentially the older you get.

When we were in our 20s we could travel in basic economy/Ryan air or the equivalent and stay at budget hotels and cram a ton of activities into a short trip without issue. Now in our mid 40s, traveling with kids we usually shoot for premium economy or at least economy plus if traveling overseas with our kids, stay in Marriott type hotels and always factor in a recovery day before returning to work. In retirement I imagine we will aim to travel business class, stay in nice hotels/resorts and travel to places for longer duration so that we can explore at leisure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We travel a lot now and also hope to do so in retirement and are saving aggressively to do so because as you note, the tolerance to deal with discomfort decreases exponentially the older you get.

When we were in our 20s we could travel in basic economy/Ryan air or the equivalent and stay at budget hotels and cram a ton of activities into a short trip without issue. Now in our mid 40s, traveling with kids we usually shoot for premium economy or at least economy plus if traveling overseas with our kids, stay in Marriott type hotels and always factor in a recovery day before returning to work. In retirement I imagine we will aim to travel business class, stay in nice hotels/resorts and travel to places for longer duration so that we can explore at leisure.

I’ll just do easier trips during retirement - so no sightseeing marathons, beach trips when it’s 110 degrees in Greece etc. I’ve never done Rome or similar things in August, which is insane IMO. I have 2-3 places on my bucket list left (India, Namibia/Tanzania, Australia/NZ) - the rest of the world I’ve either been to or I am just medium level interested. But I want to cross off that bucket list before I am 55. Unfortunately, I couldn’t travel that much in my 20s due to DH’s situation, but I just go without him now. No point in waiting for him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I often see posts about people needing a ton of money for retirement, as they plan to take numerous expensive trips they wouldn’t take while in their 30/40/50s. I don’t get the sentiment. I am now nearing the end of what’s probably the most exhausting trip I’ve taken in my lifetime and I can’t begin to imagine what it would do to my health and body to travel like this when I’m 60 or 70. I just wouldn’t be able to do it. How do people assume they’ll have the strength to pull this off?

Why was your trip exhausting? Trips are supposed to be fun!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We travel a lot now and also hope to do so in retirement and are saving aggressively to do so because as you note, the tolerance to deal with discomfort decreases exponentially the older you get.

When we were in our 20s we could travel in basic economy/Ryan air or the equivalent and stay at budget hotels and cram a ton of activities into a short trip without issue. Now in our mid 40s, traveling with kids we usually shoot for premium economy or at least economy plus if traveling overseas with our kids, stay in Marriott type hotels and always factor in a recovery day before returning to work. In retirement I imagine we will aim to travel business class, stay in nice hotels/resorts and travel to places for longer duration so that we can explore at leisure.

I’ll just do easier trips during retirement - so no sightseeing marathons, beach trips when it’s 110 degrees in Greece etc. I’ve never done Rome or similar things in August, which is insane IMO. I have 2-3 places on my bucket list left (India, Namibia/Tanzania, Australia/NZ) - the rest of the world I’ve either been to or I am just medium level interested. But I want to cross off that bucket list before I am 55. Unfortunately, I couldn’t travel that much in my 20s due to DH’s situation, but I just go without him now. No point in waiting for him.

Wow, you have seen the whole world? How many countries have you visited?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I often see posts about people needing a ton of money for retirement, as they plan to take numerous expensive trips they wouldn’t take while in their 30/40/50s. I don’t get the sentiment. I am now nearing the end of what’s probably the most exhausting trip I’ve taken in my lifetime and I can’t begin to imagine what it would do to my health and body to travel like this when I’m 60 or 70. I just wouldn’t be able to do it. How do people assume they’ll have the strength to pull this off?

My parents just took a trip in their 70s. First class flight, luxury hotel, driver to take them around the sites, private tour guide. Nothing about the trip was exhausting? I’m not sure what you are doing to have an exhausting trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I often see posts about people needing a ton of money for retirement, as they plan to take numerous expensive trips they wouldn’t take while in their 30/40/50s. I don’t get the sentiment. I am now nearing the end of what’s probably the most exhausting trip I’ve taken in my lifetime and I can’t begin to imagine what it would do to my health and body to travel like this when I’m 60 or 70. I just wouldn’t be able to do it. How do people assume they’ll have the strength to pull this off?

My parents just took a trip in their 70s. First class flight, luxury hotel, driver to take them around the sites, private tour guide. Nothing about the trip was exhausting? I’m not sure what you are doing to have an exhausting trip.

Just being old is exhausting. I bet they were exhausted the entire time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Out of curiosity, what was the exhausting trip? How long and where did you go? I feel so sorry for all the doddering old people I see everywhere these days. Honestly, it’s downright dangerous for a lot of them to be out and about.

I know. They should all stay in doors, waiting for death☠️.

Someday you will be “they.” And I’m sure you won’t enjoy the judgment of younger generations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Out of curiosity, what was the exhausting trip? How long and where did you go? I feel so sorry for all the doddering old people I see everywhere these days. Honestly, it’s downright dangerous for a lot of them to be out and about.

I know. They should all stay in doors, waiting for death☠️.

Someday you will be “they.” And I’m sure you won’t enjoy the judgment of younger generations.

But why didn’t they do it when they were younger? That’s what we’re doing.

[Anonymous]

What vacay was SO exhausting?

[Anonymous]

I assume I’ll just do less demanding trips when I’m older that will probably be just as or more expensive bc then I’ll splurge for better flights and hotels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Out of curiosity, what was the exhausting trip? How long and where did you go? I feel so sorry for all the doddering old people I see everywhere these days. Honestly, it’s downright dangerous for a lot of them to be out and about.

I know. They should all stay in doors, waiting for death☠️.

Someday you will be “they.” And I’m sure you won’t enjoy the judgment of younger generations.

But why didn’t they do it when they were younger? That’s what we’re doing.

We’ve traveled throughout our adult lives. Why would I stop?

It seems sad that some people on this thread have a shouldn’t be seen or heard mentality about people older than them.

[Anonymous]

I am hoping to stay in shape physically so I can still enjoy travel (and life in general) when I am older. But in case that doesn't happen, I am traveling when I can now.

I don't find travel exhausting, but exciting and invigorating. I wonder what was exhausting about your trip? Where did you go? Was this exhausting because you were traveling with kids? I realize I may be lucky because I have a kid who is a very pleasant traveler. We started traveling internationally again when DC was 3 and every trip has been great, even if we had to do different types of activities than we would have wanted: more playgrounds, more ice cream breaks, fewer museums or hiking expeditions. But often you will have a better time if you choose the right location with young kid in mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree. Out of curiosity, what was the exhausting trip? How long and where did you go? I feel so sorry for all the doddering old people I see everywhere these days. Honestly, it’s downright dangerous for a lot of them to be out and about.

I know. They should all stay in doors, waiting for death☠️.

Someday you will be “they.” And I’m sure you won’t enjoy the judgment of younger generations.

But why didn’t they do it when they were younger? That’s what we’re doing.

Maybe they didn’t have the time, money, desire, etc. Not traveling when you’re younger isn’t a trait that some people have. And you’re not special for traveling young. And not everyone loses their energy and stamina by 50 or 60.