Frugal, except for vacations

[Anonymous]

How much do you spend, OP? We have a hard time having a nice vacation for less than ... a lot.

[Anonymous]

For example, I was looking at going to the Caribbean for Christmas, not finding anything for less than $1000/day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For example, I was looking at going to the Caribbean for Christmas, not finding anything for less than $1000/day.

Are you the OP?
Christmas is expensive. What did you hope to pay?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For example, I was looking at going to the Caribbean for Christmas, not finding anything for less than $1000/day.

Are you the OP?
Christmas is expensive. What did you hope to pay?

Less? Is that a standard rate??

[Anonymous]

The truth I really do relate to the OP's lifestyle, personally. But I don't pat myself on the back about it the way so many DCUMers seem to. The prevailing attitude on here is that anyone who lives in a big house outside the beltway is stupid/uncool/doesn't "get it." Funny enough, those people don't feel the need to post constantly on here to find out what people think of their choices. They're just living their lives. Even worse, some people can easily and responsibly afford a huge house AND extravagant travel, AND save plenty for college, retirement, etc. Just bc someone values trendy logos or granite countertops or whatever doesn't mean they aren't living below their means. That seems to be a bitter pill for lots of DCUMers to swallow.

No kidding! Never seen so many LMC pretending to be rich.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

The truth I really do relate to the OP's lifestyle, personally. But I don't pat myself on the back about it the way so many DCUMers seem to. The prevailing attitude on here is that anyone who lives in a big house outside the beltway is stupid/uncool/doesn't "get it." Funny enough, those people don't feel the need to post constantly on here to find out what people think of their choices. They're just living their lives. Even worse, some people can easily and responsibly afford a huge house AND extravagant travel, AND save plenty for college, retirement, etc. Just bc someone values trendy logos or granite countertops or whatever doesn't mean they aren't living below their means. That seems to be a bitter pill for lots of DCUMers to swallow.

No kidding! Never seen so many LMC pretending to be rich.

+1,000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a fine way to live but the sense of self-congratulation that goes with it is off-putting. There's no moral high ground in living in a shack and spending your money on a custom-designed safari. If it works for you that's great, but posts like the OP's are a bit smug for my liking.

I agree with you. And I also LOVE AND LIVE for my vacations. However, I only live in a condo, own a 9y old car because I can't have both. If I could afford a nice SFH close in and a new car PLUS my awesome vacations, I would in a heartbeat! But since we have to choose, I choose nice vacations - that is what get us going.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all the responses. It was great to hear how many other people also use nice family vacations as a motivator at work.

A few have inquired about where we go. I'm not sure if some of my friends post here too, and so I hope it's OK if I keep it vague without mentioning specific resorts or hotels. But we like to go to places like Europe, Florida, the Caribbean, and Colorado for skiing (each spring break). We're doing a cruise this year too for the first time. Now that the kids are in elementary school, we're thinking of going on a more-distant international trip.

We like to stay at a 4-star resort or hotel (not 5-star). We fly coach. We like to bring the grandparents with us when they will accept it, and so that can add quite a bit to our costs.

I apologize if I appeared to be smug to some in describing our frugality with respect to our house. Believe me, I wish we could have both an awesome house and nice vacations!!

Thanks again to everyone who replied.

[Anonymous]

So how much do you spend?
Why do u feel it's not really that much but you as a cheapskate think it is.

[Anonymous]

Why do I feel...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thanks for all the responses. It was great to hear how many other people also use nice family vacations as a motivator at work.

A few have inquired about where we go. I'm not sure if some of my friends post here too, and so I hope it's OK if I keep it vague without mentioning specific resorts or hotels. But we like to go to places like Europe, Florida, the Caribbean, and Colorado for skiing (each spring break). We're doing a cruise this year too for the first time. Now that the kids are in elementary school, we're thinking of going on a more-distant international trip.

We like to stay at a 4-star resort or hotel (not 5-star). We fly coach. We like to bring the grandparents with us when they will accept it, and so that can add quite a bit to our costs.

I apologize if I appeared to be smug to some in describing our frugality with respect to our house. Believe me, I wish we could have both an awesome house and nice vacations!!

Thanks again to everyone who replied.

I also live for vacations. The total budget seems to be about $25K. Are you finding the $1000/day for the Caribbean at Christmas? If you would like some advise: Take the kids out of school now while you can and take advantage of off season. You cant do this in HS! International in the summer is super expensive (Europe)

[Anonymous]

Well I guess it depends in what your vacations cost. But I think it's crazy to give yourself a hard time about taking two vacations at a HHI of 300k, personally.

[Anonymous]

Vacations are the only thing that keeps me sane and gets me to work. We typically do 2 big lux vacations a year and maybe a smaller long weekend every other month somewhere random (beach, Europe, NY, etc). You should live it up and go on vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After reading posts on this forum off-and-on for a year or so, I have started to feel guilty about splurging on vacations 2x per year. But if it's my only splurge, I'm thinking it's OK. DH and I are frugal in all other respects. We have a small Cape Cod house in Arlington without an updated kitchen or bathrooms and without an addition. Official square footage is 1500, although it is a bit bigger if you add upstairs and the basement. Monthly mortgage payment of $2500. We drive a 2003 Toyota and 2007 Honda. We live within our means, and save for retirement and college. DH and I both work full-time. HHI is $300,000.

But I really love to take nice family vacations (2x per year).

My DH greatly enjoys the vacations, but would be fine with more modest vacations. For me, I find that the vacations are a big motivator for me to do my job well.

Anyone else use nice vacations as a motivator to do well in your career? I cherish the time with the kids to go to places I have never been, and I kinda like to stay in a nice place. Yet I've learned a lot from this forum about not splurging, and it feels a bit wasteful. Then again, I cherish the memories.

Thoughts?

No. I'm kinda the opposite. We spend probably $1500 a month on food/wine/entertaining because that's what creates memories for me. One, one week vacation is fine for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's a fine way to live but the sense of self-congratulation that goes with it is off-putting. There's no moral high ground in living in a shack and spending your money on a custom-designed safari. If it works for you that's great, but posts like the OP's are a bit smug for my liking.

...are you my coworker? The one who drives a new Mercedes SUV and carries a LV bag but spends every weekend and holiday at home watching tv because she's broke? I think it's the well-adjusted happy people who spend money on experiences... and the insecure depressed ones who spend on stuff to try and appear successful to others.

I don't spend money on stuff or vacations. I use money to save for the future, and to make every day special. Spend thousands a year on clothes, food, wine, having parties. That's what I like!