$10k/year on vacations

[Anonymous]

$250-$275k. Our kids are little so it's usually a week at Disney (or disney cruise) and a week at the beach in FL. We also throw in some long weekends skiing or to Williamsburg or Hershey. It's probably closer to $12k when it's all done.

We have a blast though and it means so much more to me than renovated bathrooms (which I could have if I gave up the trips.)

[Anonymous]

I think it's good to consider this as separate from an annual budget, and it's a great idea.

We have an HHI of 160. We spend about 10K a year, which encompasses one European trip that combines a new place and a visit to DH's family. His mother is too old to travel to us now, so this is something that's really non-negotiable. We tack on somewhere new as a way to not feel we are spending all of our travel money going to the same place each year. This also includes one trip to Florida (parents - only cost is flight) and a weekend away here or there.

Sometimes I don't understand how we do this, but we do it with relative ease. We do have retirement savings, etc. - perhaps not what some people would consider major amounts, but still, we have savings. I do think that we are generally not big spenders and that that helps add up a lot. Also, we have virtually no childcare costs now that the kids are in elementary school. DH is a teacher, so no summer camps necessary (although they do the odd one-week day camp for sports, etc.) But no babysitter, afterschool care, etc.

I will say this. I have never ever come back from a trip and said I wish we hadn't spent the money. One thing that helps a great deal is paying for as much of it as possible in advance. This summer we are going to France and England. Airfare is paid for, as is most of the housing. This makes it feel less expensive once we get there, and I'm less likely to cheap out while there. I'd rather save on something at home (eat out less, less clothes, etc.) and splurge while away.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do! Would your moms consider a cruise? They are fun for multigenerations and you co do it from Baltimore, which would cut down on costs a lot. Bermuda is one popular destination.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's good to consider this as separate from an annual budget, and it's a great idea.

We have an HHI of 160. We spend about 10K a year, which encompasses one European trip that combines a new place and a visit to DH's family. His mother is too old to travel to us now, so this is something that's really non-negotiable. We tack on somewhere new as a way to not feel we are spending all of our travel money going to the same place each year. This also includes one trip to Florida (parents - only cost is flight) and a weekend away here or there.

Sometimes I don't understand how we do this, but we do it with relative ease. We do have retirement savings, etc. - perhaps not what some people would consider major amounts, but still, we have savings. I do think that we are generally not big spenders and that that helps add up a lot. Also, we have virtually no childcare costs now that the kids are in elementary school. DH is a teacher, so no summer camps necessary (although they do the odd one-week day camp for sports, etc.) But no babysitter, afterschool care, etc.

I will say this. I have never ever come back from a trip and said I wish we hadn't spent the money. One thing that helps a great deal is paying for as much of it as possible in advance. This summer we are going to France and England. Airfare is paid for, as is most of the housing. This makes it feel less expensive once we get there, and I'm less likely to cheap out while there. I'd rather save on something at home (eat out less, less clothes, etc.) and splurge while away.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do! Would your moms consider a cruise? They are fun for multigenerations and you co do it from Baltimore, which would cut down on costs a lot. Bermuda is one popular destination.

What a thoughtful response!

Your point about childcare makes me wonder if I should wait 3 years to do this when DS will be in elementary school and it won't feel so much like a splurge.

MIL likes cruises, but my mom has never been on one and isn't interested. I also get worried about labor practices on those ships.

[Anonymous]

I'm in my mid-40s, and very much function under the theory that I should travel as much as I can before I can't do the things that I want to do any more. So I actually aim to spend more than $10K/year on travel, and like others make other sacrifices to do it while still saving for retirement and college. Where we go is really about collecting experiences, and is a combination of pricier and more affordable adventures.

[Anonymous]

We spend more like $30-35k. HHI between 500-750k. 3 kids. We don't go anywhere super exotic but flights, food, hotel suites, etc. add up when you have a party of 5 traveling. I think our most expensive vacation was actually Disney World at around 11-12k.

[Anonymous]

What a thoughtful response!

Your point about childcare makes me wonder if I should wait 3 years to do this when DS will be in elementary school and it won't feel so much like a splurge.

MIL likes cruises, but my mom has never been on one and isn't interested. I also get worried about labor practices on those ships.


Hmm...regarding labor practices, I think you can look into the line. But, I would caution that if this is a concern, it's going to be at many Caribbean resorts too.

As for waiting until child is in school, perhaps financially that makes sense. However, if your moms are healthy and can travel, and you can stretch it, do it now. No one can predict what the future will bring. Also, once your child is in school, you're more stuck to the school schedule (although for the first two years, it's really no big deal to pull them out for a week). So, this offers the opportunity to travel at non-peak times, which saves money and hassle.

If your mom is dead set against a cruise then obviously no. But if she can be persuaded, you might want to give it a try. My husband was dead set against it, but we went on one because my mom really wanted to do one as a whole family. He loved it and keeps suggesting we do another. I would do another for a multigenerational trip, but perhaps not just on our own. We went to Bermuda, which was nice because you actually got three days there. Bonus is the kids club - your kid might love it, meaning you get some adult only time, which can be nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What a thoughtful response!

Your point about childcare makes me wonder if I should wait 3 years to do this when DS will be in elementary school and it won't feel so much like a splurge.

MIL likes cruises, but my mom has never been on one and isn't interested. I also get worried about labor practices on those ships.

Hmm...regarding labor practices, I think you can look into the line. But, I would caution that if this is a concern, it's going to be at many Caribbean resorts too.

As for waiting until child is in school, perhaps financially that makes sense. However, if your moms are healthy and can travel, and you can stretch it, do it now. No one can predict what the future will bring. Also, once your child is in school, you're more stuck to the school schedule (although for the first two years, it's really no big deal to pull them out for a week). So, this offers the opportunity to travel at non-peak times, which saves money and hassle.

If your mom is dead set against a cruise then obviously no. But if she can be persuaded, you might want to give it a try. My husband was dead set against it, but we went on one because my mom really wanted to do one as a whole family. He loved it and keeps suggesting we do another. I would do another for a multigenerational trip, but perhaps not just on our own. We went to Bermuda, which was nice because you actually got three days there. Bonus is the kids club - your kid might love it, meaning you get some adult only time, which can be nice.





Good points. My mother is 62 and MIL is 58, they both still work and are in pretty good health, but it's true you never know.

I also do like the flexibility of traveling during the off season so that is actually a great point as well since we plan on adding them to the trip.

Thanks to you all for all of the very helpful insight on this!

[Anonymous]

I'm taking my 66 yo mother to London and Paris this spring and spending about $6k for three people for 10 days. That's money that could go to remodeling projects but we felt bathrooms could wait. we wanted to enjoy time with her now while she is vibrant enough to enjoy this type of travel.

[Anonymous]

$220k, DINK. We spend about $12-15k a year (last year we did a week in Amsterdam, a week in Hawaii, and a long weekend in Mexico.) This year we are doing a long weekend in Colombia, a week in the south of France, and a late fall trip TBD (thinking Thailand).

[Anonymous]

Very nice idea. I want to take my mom somewhere but she wants to do a cruise and I have no interest in that!! Might take her to our home country instead.

In regards to your question: We probably spent $10-12k per year (HHI ~$200k). We spend our money on vacations, not on luxury items domestically, though. We travel extensively, with 1 big trip and 2-3 medium trips per year. The key to keeping it financially feasible is by being smart with your travel costs.

Why Grenada or T&C? Are flights generally cheap? If not, try a location that has cheaper flights. If you want a resort style vacation, compare prices to find one that has just what you want - don't splurge on a place if you're paying for amenities you won't use. If you stay at a hotel or AirBnB you can probably save even more. Travel doesn't have to break the bank - just do your research!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very nice idea. I want to take my mom somewhere but she wants to do a cruise and I have no interest in that!! Might take her to our home country instead.

In regards to your question: We probably spent $10-12k per year (HHI ~$200k). We spend our money on vacations, not on luxury items domestically, though. We travel extensively, with 1 big trip and 2-3 medium trips per year. The key to keeping it financially feasible is by being smart with your travel costs.

Why Grenada or T&C? Are flights generally cheap? If not, try a location that has cheaper flights. If you want a resort style vacation, compare prices to find one that has just what you want - don't splurge on a place if you're paying for amenities you won't use. If you stay at a hotel or AirBnB you can probably save even more. Travel doesn't have to break the bank - just do your research!

No, the beaches are supposed to be immaculate in Grenada, T&C and Anguilla (though I haven't seen many family friendly resorts in Anguilla). I want it to feel like a storybook vacay for my mom. Clear water, powdered sand, luxury accommodations, etc. I don't know any destinations with that criteria with cheap flights, but I am very open to suggestions!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make sure the moms really want to go to those destinations - that it' s not just where you think they should dream of going. Someplace closer/cheaper may be more appealingly.

+1 OP do either of your moms have bucket lists - places they've always wanted to visit? Even if they are going to relax and luxuriate as is your plan, they might have a dream to go somewhere in particular.

[Anonymous]

We do around 10-15K a year for vacations. 300-400K household income. 3 kids (airfare for 5 can be expensive).

We do an international trip every other year, which will generally cost more. The other years are leaner. I truly love a good road trip so that's generally what we'll do. We may fly somewhere and then drive, but we always seem to end up driving. We went to London and SW England last year and this year we are hitting up Yosemite and San Francisco, plus a few more easy reach weekend trips (Philly, Williamsburg, NYC). DH and I try to get away for two weekends a year (spring & fall) as well.

Wish lists for future trips for the family:
-Peru/Machu Picchu
-Dog Sledding in Montana
-Big Sur, CA
-Yellowstone
-Ireland
-Neuschwanstein Castle/Germany
-Nashville

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We do around 10-15K a year for vacations. 300-400K household income. 3 kids (airfare for 5 can be expensive).

We do an international trip every other year, which will generally cost more. The other years are leaner. I truly love a good road trip so that's generally what we'll do. We may fly somewhere and then drive, but we always seem to end up driving. We went to London and SW England last year and this year we are hitting up Yosemite and San Francisco, plus a few more easy reach weekend trips (Philly, Williamsburg, NYC). DH and I try to get away for two weekends a year (spring & fall) as well.

Wish lists for future trips for the family:
-Peru/Machu Picchu
-Dog Sledding in Montana
-Big Sur, CA
-Yellowstone
-Ireland
-Neuschwanstein Castle/Germany
-Nashville

We are similar. Bigger trip every other year. Traveling is a high priority for us.

Small ski trip or two
Beach trip
1-2 week vacation
Maybe another weekend trip or two

[Anonymous]

We probably spend $20-25k a year. At least one international trip and another big domestic trip, plus long weekends every month that we don't have another trip. Experiences are our highest priority. $235k.