Pressure to travel to see family, but can't afford it -- how to handle?

[Anonymous]

Well, you could take a few extra days off work and drive.

[Anonymous]

OP, my family lives oversears and DH's in the midwest, so we have been spending $$$ just to see family. with all the kids above the age of 2, going to see my family is really expensive, about $4000 just for the airfare for me and the kids (with DH it would be more than $5000), and that just my family. we are not in bad shape, but especially after we bought our home, it is harder to do it. last year my family offered to pay and we accepted. they are in their 70's and well off financially. it would be more difficult for them to come, and they really want to see their grandkids. they told me that they really prefer to spend that money now and give the kids a greatr vacation that having me inherit the money down the road. this year I refused their offer to pay my ticket, but accepted their offer to pay the kids' tickets. so out of $4000, I paid $1300. it sound like you are making the right choices, living withing your means. if your inlaws offer to help with the ticktets, even just the kids' tickets, and they have the money, maybe you should consider accepting