Would you sacrifice liquid savings to take memorable vacations with teens?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not too long ago, we were sitting around the table with our kids and their SOs. My kids could not stop talking about how great their life was growing up. Trips were a huge part of it. (so were birthday cakes - who knew?). We did big trips and tons of overnight beach and camping trips locally. I'm really cheap so we never did fancy hotels and we drove to a lot of places. We just did a lot on a little money.

Anyway, based on listening to our kids and the occasional walk down memory lane, I don't regret a single cent I spent on our trips and I don't regret a single minute I spent on planning them. I will say that my kids are all very close and love to be together so we never had any conflict or difficulty traveling together.

But you just proved you don't have to spend much. It's more about the memories of doing stuff together and just "being a family and having fun". It's not about where you go or spending more than you can afford.

What post did you read? She quite literally was talking about taking trips (NOT “just being a family and having fun”).

And no one has implied, not even OP, that people should take trips they can’t actually afford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Memories don't come from more expensive trips. Some of our most memorable trips have been National Parks and amazing hikes.

But didn’t it cost you money to get there?

DP: you find National Parks that are nearby and camp/stay at reasonable places. You can do a 7 day driving vacation that is very affordable. You don't have to spend a fortune

OP is talking about 2K you numbskull. That’s not exactly a fortune.

Depends what percentage that is of her savings. If she has at least 100k in emergency fund this is nothing but if it's 10k, she should take a cheaper vacation.

Anyone who keeps 100K in an emergency fund is already living beyond their means. Think about it.

Not really. If you make $500K+, a $100K ef is very reasonable. eG should be 9-12 months of expenses ideally. So most making $200K should have that size ef.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP we are going on vacation later this year with our 21 and 23 yos.

I don't know if you should spend the money, but you shouldn't believe that the opportunities for vacation are coming to an end.

+1

If you still offer to pay for the vacation (or majority of it), most 20 somethings will happily join for a family vacay

It’s not the same when they’re adults in their 20s, though. I am shocked how many people ITT refuse to acknowledge that obvious reality.

In many ways it's much more enjoyable. No cranky teens, kids are adults and more aware of the world (and not as self centered). It's different, and I consider it more enjoyable now as adults.

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP we are going on vacation later this year with our 21 and 23 yos.

I don't know if you should spend the money, but you shouldn't believe that the opportunities for vacation are coming to an end.

+1

If you still offer to pay for the vacation (or majority of it), most 20 somethings will happily join for a family vacay

It’s not the same when they’re adults in their 20s, though. I am shocked how many people ITT refuse to acknowledge that obvious reality.

In many ways it's much more enjoyable. No cranky teens, kids are adults and more aware of the world (and not as self centered). It's different, and I consider it more enjoyable now as adults.

x1000

Way more enjoyable in college and post-college than in HS.

We have gone on vacations with some of our parents in our 40s/50s (some they paid, others we paid) and our kids grew up seeing that, so I'm not sure why they would feel it would stop. Lots of friends in similar position.

[Anonymous]

Yes, take the trips.

Make sure you are realistic about what you need for college savings, but traveling in the family unit like that can be an irreplaceable memory.

Mine are 17 and 21, and even though we believe they will continue to want to travel with us, especially if we pay, we prioritize memorable trips with them because these times are special.

[Anonymous]

Op, I think for even having to ask this question, I can guess you are the type happier with a kitchen renovation than a healthy travel budget.

[Anonymous]

4 years ago I would have taken the travel option, now I would save the money for whatever will happen with current chaos.

[Anonymous]

From my part, I would suggest foreign travel, super cheap. It’s a family adventure. Helps to see new cultures and explore together.

[Anonymous]

People are not registering that OP write 2K. That’s enough for a modest weekend not too far away. Definitely not luxury accommodations or exotic locales.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Memories don't come from more expensive trips. Some of our most memorable trips have been National Parks and amazing hikes.

But didn’t it cost you money to get there?

DP: you find National Parks that are nearby and camp/stay at reasonable places. You can do a 7 day driving vacation that is very affordable. You don't have to spend a fortune

OP is talking about 2K you numbskull. That’s not exactly a fortune.

Depends what percentage that is of her savings. If she has at least 100k in emergency fund this is nothing but if it's 10k, she should take a cheaper vacation.

Anyone who keeps 100K in an emergency fund is already living beyond their means. Think about it.

Not really. If you make $500K+, a $100K ef is very reasonable. eG should be 9-12 months of expenses ideally. So most making $200K should have that size ef.

Nope! If you need a $100k emergency cushion you are the definition of a profligate spender.

And basing what is reasonable on some arbitrary rule of thumb means you’re an unimaginative idiot. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP we are going on vacation later this year with our 21 and 23 yos.

I don't know if you should spend the money, but you shouldn't believe that the opportunities for vacation are coming to an end.

+1

If you still offer to pay for the vacation (or majority of it), most 20 somethings will happily join for a family vacay

It’s not the same when they’re adults in their 20s, though. I am shocked how many people ITT refuse to acknowledge that obvious reality.

In many ways it's much more enjoyable. No cranky teens, kids are adults and more aware of the world (and not as self centered). It's different, and I consider it more enjoyable now as adults.

x1000

Way more enjoyable in college and post-college than in HS.

We have gone on vacations with some of our parents in our 40s/50s (some they paid, others we paid) and our kids grew up seeing that, so I'm not sure why they would feel it would stop. Lots of friends in similar position.

Spoken like a selfish parent who didn’t actually like their kids, which is why you chose to hoard money instead of take them on trips until they were old enough not to annoy you.

Is this the type of parent OP wants to take advice from?

[Anonymous]

You may not be healthy enough to travel with them later or they may be too busy. Take some trips now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Memories don't come from more expensive trips. Some of our most memorable trips have been National Parks and amazing hikes.

But didn’t it cost you money to get there?

DP: you find National Parks that are nearby and camp/stay at reasonable places. You can do a 7 day driving vacation that is very affordable. You don't have to spend a fortune

OP is talking about 2K you numbskull. That’s not exactly a fortune.

Depends what percentage that is of her savings. If she has at least 100k in emergency fund this is nothing but if it's 10k, she should take a cheaper vacation.

Anyone who keeps 100K in an emergency fund is already living beyond their means. Think about it.

Not really. If you make $500K+, a $100K ef is very reasonable. eG should be 9-12 months of expenses ideally. So most making $200K should have that size ef.

Nope! If you need a $100k emergency cushion you are the definition of a profligate spender.

And basing what is reasonable on some arbitrary rule of thumb means you’re an unimaginative idiot. Sorry.

No you are the idiot. Someone who spends $100k in 9 months is not a "profligate spender" if they make $200k+. Housing likely costs $40K+ alone probably more (mortgage/insurance/utilities/maintenance ), food for family of 4 is easily $1k now with the way prices are, if you like to eat fresh fruits/veggies and quality protein sources. Thats well over $50k for just that, now add in car payments, insurance, gas, and medical and clothing and other basic expenses

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP we are going on vacation later this year with our 21 and 23 yos.

I don't know if you should spend the money, but you shouldn't believe that the opportunities for vacation are coming to an end.

+1

If you still offer to pay for the vacation (or majority of it), most 20 somethings will happily join for a family vacay

It’s not the same when they’re adults in their 20s, though. I am shocked how many people ITT refuse to acknowledge that obvious reality.

In many ways it's much more enjoyable. No cranky teens, kids are adults and more aware of the world (and not as self centered). It's different, and I consider it more enjoyable now as adults.

x1000

Way more enjoyable in college and post-college than in HS.

We have gone on vacations with some of our parents in our 40s/50s (some they paid, others we paid) and our kids grew up seeing that, so I'm not sure why they would feel it would stop. Lots of friends in similar position.

Spoken like a selfish parent who didn’t actually like their kids, which is why you chose to hoard money instead of take them on trips until they were old enough not to annoy you.

Is this the type of parent OP wants to take advice from?

Have you ever lived with teens? Especially teenage girls?
Obviously you have not

Love my kids, took them on plenty of trips as teens and before. But it's much more enjoyable now as 20 something's as they become adults.

And it's not selfish--if prefer all kids have the benefit of affordable college without debt before they take expensive vacations. Trust me they will appreciate that more in their 20s than the fancy trips. You can still spend quality time with them at home/ neaby