if you HHI is around 200k what is your travel budget?

[Anonymous]

We have to see family in Europe every year, so we pay anywhere from $3000 (pre Covid) to $6000 (current prices) for 4 flights and a rental car. We typically stay for free. Every other year we try to add on an actual vacation, which costs about another $3000.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're at about $200k but debt free and with considerable savings and retirement so we feel more comfortable spending. We spend probably $20-$25k on travel annually all-in, but also play the "points game" by seeking out credit cards that will get us free flights, hotel stays, etc.

This has all gotten harder as our kids are now school aged so our timing is more constrained. But we've also saved money with covid so may be able to increase our budget (though perhaps not commensurate with flight prices!).

Travel annually often includes a 2 week trip to Europe, and maybe two other weeks at the beach or visiting family, and then a smattering of more local long weekend trips.

This is us too, though we have mostly done driving trips in the past. I am searching for flight deals for upcoming trips but not having much luck, even with points.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2k-3k. We don't travel to speak of. Hate spending money on hotels and transportation.

wow. people really live this way?

[Anonymous]

We don't have one. Spent maybe $800-1000 a month on long weekend trips vs. major vacations, though.

[Anonymous]

We don't have one. We don't budget as we aren't very spendy and have plenty of savings.

In the last year, for a family of four: Winter break was 16 days for about $7k. Spring break in Portugal was about $5k. A few short driving weekends at around $1k, including lodging and gas. Wedding in California was about $2500. Late-summer trip to visit family was about $3k.

Vacations are really the only time my family is good at spending quality time together. So we prioritize it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2k-3k. We don't travel to speak of. Hate spending money on hotels and transportation.

wow. people really live this way?

Our next door neighbor is the nicest person in the world, loves to hear about our trips. And is terrified of flying and generally doesn't like to leave the area- just feels more comfortable at and around home.

[Anonymous]

It really varies. We prefer long road trips in the US with our kids to visit national parks and other places of interest. Generally that does not cost too much and we stay in places like Marriott's Residence Inn etc, so that we can start the day with our good breakfast buffet. But, mostly, if we can manage a two week vacation inside US, we can easily keep it to $500 a day for the 4 of us. Shorter vacations (like Disney for 3 days) can cost a whole lot more even if you are driving in your car. Longer vacations (say a tour of southwest) that has a mix of cities, national parks, adventure sports, eating at nice places, flights and car rentals - can be done at $500 per day for a family of 4 (with 2 rooms). Or $350 for a couple.

Foreign trips average for us is around $2500-$3000 per day for a family of 4. All inclusive. We end up going luxury in cheaper countries in Asia and South America, and mid range in Europe. DH likes his fancy hotels and good food. Kids love adventure sports. I like the museums. I cannot go more budget than this because of it. We have tried longer stays in AirBnB. I don't want to do that anymore with our kids. I don't get a break. I am now fine with just sticking to good hotels.

The most bang for buck, most convenient and most varied place is US. And it is so much easier to go travelling in the US with kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:2k-3k. We don't travel to speak of. Hate spending money on hotels and transportation.

wow. people really live this way?

NP. We have friends who REALLY look down on us for our travels. We don't discuss with them anymore, find other things to chat about when 'what have you guys been up to' come up.

They like to spend their money on cars and houses, and don't seem to understand that everyone spends differently.

[Anonymous]

We're in that range and aim to spend 10% of our income on travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't have one. We don't budget as we aren't very spendy and have plenty of savings.

In the last year, for a family of four: Winter break was 16 days for about $7k. Spring break in Portugal was about $5k. A few short driving weekends at around $1k, including lodging and gas. Wedding in California was about $2500. Late-summer trip to visit family was about $3k.

Vacations are really the only time my family is good at spending quality time together. So we prioritize it.

I feel this about vacation being the real quality time together. This is something I'm working on: to create more time during our regular schedule for quality time but it's HARD. Fortunately, my kids have developed a love of travel and we have decided to prioritize it. We travel during most major breaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're at about $200k but debt free and with considerable savings and retirement so we feel more comfortable spending. We spend probably $20-$25k on travel annually all-in, but also play the "points game" by seeking out credit cards that will get us free flights, hotel stays, etc.

This has all gotten harder as our kids are now school aged so our timing is more constrained. But we've also saved money with covid so may be able to increase our budget (though perhaps not commensurate with flight prices!).

Travel annually often includes a 2 week trip to Europe, and maybe two other weeks at the beach or visiting family, and then a smattering of more local long weekend trips.

Same. We usually spend two weeks somewhere abroad and then 4-5 other domestic trips. We only pay for food/activities so maybe a few thousand total. Depends on the trip and price of activities though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Empty nester here, but I would say our income was in the $200 - 230 K range when the kids were at home. On average, we probably spent $20K on travel, some years more, some years less.

I don't think any of these are "must-do" trips before college, but we enjoyed the national parks in Western Canada, MA, NH, NYC, OBX, HHI, Kiawah Island, WDW, California coast/Yosemite, other national parks like Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Acadia. And in Europe: London/Southern England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, Belgium, Netherlands, Ireland. Some of these were multiple trips, like Switzerland and Italy. One we wished we had done with kids: Australia, but the school schedule here would have meant visiting in winter there, and you need more than a spring break week.

P.S. While it does get more complicated, we do still travel (some) with our adult children, so don't feel like you have only a few years left to hit some bucket list places.

You spent a fifth to a sixth of your take-home income on vacation? Either you had a sweet tax accountant or you aren't remembering correctly...

[Anonymous]

We spend 10k. It’s 2 of us.

[Anonymous]

I feel like the prices post here are outdated. You can’t get a two week vacation anywhere for family of 4 for only 7-8k. That alone is 20k

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We don't have one. We don't budget as we aren't very spendy and have plenty of savings.

In the last year, for a family of four: Winter break was 16 days for about $7k. Spring break in Portugal was about $5k. A few short driving weekends at around $1k, including lodging and gas. Wedding in California was about $2500. Late-summer trip to visit family was about $3k.

Vacations are really the only time my family is good at spending quality time together. So we prioritize it.

Wow I don’t know how you travel so much and have so much savings on 200k, but god bless, I’m envious ! lol!