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

[Anonymous]

I would do it and start immediately. Our experience is that the last couple years before they leave can get very hectic. College visits take some time and towards the end they may just prefer to hang out with friends instead of family trips. So if oldest is 15 now I’d start this summer in case I only have two real years to do it. Not saying the last two years don’t work out for some but I wouldn’t sit back now and assume you have them to travel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have twins turning 15 this summer, and it’s hitting us that we probably only have 3–4 more “guaranteed” years of family travel with them. Some of our best memories together have come from trips, but as they’ve gotten older (and everything has gotten more expensive), we’ve pulled back.

Now we’re wondering if it’s worth leaning in for a few years, prioritizing more meaningful travel while we still can. The tradeoff is that we’d be building less in liquid, emergency-type savings. We live within our means, contribute steadily to retirement and college, but our cash reserves have never been especially robust.

In real terms, we’re talking about roughly $2,000 less in savings per year to fund the kind of trips we’re considering. That’s also the cushion that would help if, say, one emergency is followed by another.

So how would you weigh the pros and cons here? Has anyone made a similar choice at this stage with teens?

I can't read all the blather in the thread.

If what you are talking about in your relatively dramatic title is ESCHEWING TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS IN EXCHANGE FOR TRAVEL MEMORIES, then why is this a question? It all hinges on your liquid cash reserves and savings. Did you say how much those are?

If you have enough to get you through 6 months of job loss, great. If not you got bigger problems.

But since $2k won't fix that, take it and go soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have twins turning 15 this summer, and it’s hitting us that we probably only have 3–4 more “guaranteed” years of family travel with them. Some of our best memories together have come from trips, but as they’ve gotten older (and everything has gotten more expensive), we’ve pulled back.

Now we’re wondering if it’s worth leaning in for a few years, prioritizing more meaningful travel while we still can. The tradeoff is that we’d be building less in liquid, emergency-type savings. We live within our means, contribute steadily to retirement and college, but our cash reserves have never been especially robust.

In real terms, we’re talking about roughly $2,000 less in savings per year to fund the kind of trips we’re considering. That’s also the cushion that would help if, say, one emergency is followed by another.

So how would you weigh the pros and cons here? Has anyone made a similar choice at this stage with teens?

I can't read all the blather in the thread.

If what you are talking about in your relatively dramatic title is ESCHEWING TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS IN EXCHANGE FOR TRAVEL MEMORIES, then why is this a question? It all hinges on your liquid cash reserves and savings. Did you say how much those are?

If you have enough to get you through 6 months of job loss, great. If not you got bigger problems.

But since $2k won't fix that, take it and go soon.

However, if they do NOT have enough to get thru a 6 month job loss, then the solution really is not to say Let's toss caution to the wind and spend this "extra $2K" on a trip". The solution is "you have to start saving somehow and build that emergency fund. And this $2K is a great way to start"


Just like saying coffee and avocado toast won't pay for college, it's the mindset and yes the little things do add up. If you don't start saving on little things, you won't achieve your goals.

[Anonymous]

Yes, definitely

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have twins turning 15 this summer, and it’s hitting us that we probably only have 3–4 more “guaranteed” years of family travel with them. Some of our best memories together have come from trips, but as they’ve gotten older (and everything has gotten more expensive), we’ve pulled back.

Now we’re wondering if it’s worth leaning in for a few years, prioritizing more meaningful travel while we still can. The tradeoff is that we’d be building less in liquid, emergency-type savings. We live within our means, contribute steadily to retirement and college, but our cash reserves have never been especially robust.

In real terms, we’re talking about roughly $2,000 less in savings per year to fund the kind of trips we’re considering. That’s also the cushion that would help if, say, one emergency is followed by another.

So how would you weigh the pros and cons here? Has anyone made a similar choice at this stage with teens?

I can't read all the blather in the thread.

If what you are talking about in your relatively dramatic title is ESCHEWING TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS IN EXCHANGE FOR TRAVEL MEMORIES, then why is this a question? It all hinges on your liquid cash reserves and savings. Did you say how much those are?

If you have enough to get you through 6 months of job loss, great. If not you got bigger problems.

But since $2k won't fix that, take it and go soon.

However, if they do NOT have enough to get thru a 6 month job loss, then the solution really is not to say Let's toss caution to the wind and spend this "extra $2K" on a trip". The solution is "you have to start saving somehow and build that emergency fund. And this $2K is a great way to start"


Just like saying coffee and avocado toast won't pay for college, it's the mindset and yes the little things do add up. If you don't start saving on little things, you won't achieve your goals.

Maybe. Or spend the $2k ($6k total for three trips) and have a five month emergency fund and life long memories.

[Anonymous]

Money is a tool — you need to use it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have twins turning 15 this summer, and it’s hitting us that we probably only have 3–4 more “guaranteed” years of family travel with them. Some of our best memories together have come from trips, but as they’ve gotten older (and everything has gotten more expensive), we’ve pulled back.

Now we’re wondering if it’s worth leaning in for a few years, prioritizing more meaningful travel while we still can. The tradeoff is that we’d be building less in liquid, emergency-type savings. We live within our means, contribute steadily to retirement and college, but our cash reserves have never been especially robust.

In real terms, we’re talking about roughly $2,000 less in savings per year to fund the kind of trips we’re considering. That’s also the cushion that would help if, say, one emergency is followed by another.

So how would you weigh the pros and cons here? Has anyone made a similar choice at this stage with teens?

I can't read all the blather in the thread.

If what you are talking about in your relatively dramatic title is ESCHEWING TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS IN EXCHANGE FOR TRAVEL MEMORIES, then why is this a question? It all hinges on your liquid cash reserves and savings. Did you say how much those are?

If you have enough to get you through 6 months of job loss, great. If not you got bigger problems.

But since $2k won't fix that, take it and go soon.

However, if they do NOT have enough to get thru a 6 month job loss, then the solution really is not to say Let's toss caution to the wind and spend this "extra $2K" on a trip". The solution is "you have to start saving somehow and build that emergency fund. And this $2K is a great way to start"


Just like saying coffee and avocado toast won't pay for college, it's the mindset and yes the little things do add up. If you don't start saving on little things, you won't achieve your goals.

Maybe. Or spend the $2k ($6k total for three trips) and have a five month emergency fund and life long memories.

Or maybe build the 6 month fund nd then save for the trips. Find ways to cut other things if you really want the trips.

Or don't complain when you have a job loss and don't have enough to pay the bills.

[Anonymous]

If you have a decent emergency fund, I would. Travel builds precious memories because the kids won’t be on screens as much and will be experiencing new things.

Once they get busy with college and work in their 20s, they may not have time to spend with you.

[Anonymous]

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

+1 and even with cost of gas, driving 5-8 Hours to get somewhere is much more affordable than airfare for 4-5 people (what was $400 trips 6 months ago are now $800+ per person for flights---gas is much cheaper and you put everyone in same car

+2 We're camping for several days in Shenandoah this summer. It's barely 3 hours away, and the campsites are 20$/ a night. That's not digging into much of our "liquid savings."