Anonymous wrote:You can travel practically anywhere on earth on a budget. We've done it despite having plenty of money.

Where did you go and how much was each vacation?

Check out travel sites with packages that include air and hotel—they are cheap.

The trick is to find cheap flights. Jump on them, then figure out affordable lodging.

London and Paris are a typical trip. Be sure to venture to the countryside.

All of Italy is worth the trip. Pick a few cities that interest you.

If you enjoy the beach, hit the Caribbean. Tons of packages

Puerto Rico is fun and affordable. Easy to do on a budget. Southwest flies there from BWI.

Old Quebec feels European, and you can drive there.

We HHI btw 150-180K for last 10 years. 2 kids, college age now. We traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Chechia , Poland, Canada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, and all major national parks. We usually do 2-3 trips a year 1-2 weeks each, off season for the location.

I don't live in DC anymore but if I did a COL comparison, it would be $200,000 roughly.

I think most locations can work if you plan well as a "budget trip".

What about save up using credit card reward points and plan a bacpacking trip through parts of europe for 2-3 weeks? They each carry their own backpack, you could stay at affordable airbnb/hotels/hostels (pick a private room).

There's some awesome trips in Latin America too and I'm sure deals can be snagged.

Camping is of course a much more affordable way to travel and is something my family loves. You can rent camping cabins in MANY spots and some still have some amenities...we rented an adorable cabin MDI for under $600 for a week.

Check out google flights, scott's cheap flights. While we aren't wealthy at all, travel is something we prioritize....this year, we are traveling for Chrsitmas (driving) and lodging will cost $1,200 for a week in a Hallmark movie, perfect christmas spot. Spring break, I found cheap tickets to a tropical beach so less than $1,500 whole trip, summer is our "plurge" with a europe trip. We tend to spend less in other areas to make up for it.

There is so much to see & do here in the US- New Orlean and Deep South, coastal Carolinas (Charleston, Savannah), Boston & New England, Chicago, Pacific Pacific Northwest (San Juan islands), Southwest (Arizona & New Mexico road trip - hot air balloons, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest)…on & on. For international trips: don’t have a destination in mind just look for deals. Maybe Eastern Europe locations ?

National parks!

All 50 states.

Anonymous wrote:And your family can’t go on lavish vacations like many DCUMrs…what trips would you prioritize for tweens/teens? Any must do reasonably priced experiences? I’m thinking of bigger trips every 2 years but small weekend/few day cheaper trips work as well.

What are your interests? We travel abroad a bit and save money by traveling in off season. November is 40-50% cheaper to most locations overseas. Airbnb’s are also a great deal. We rent outside major cities (bc we prefer nature trips) and drive where needed.

Personally, I like taking kids to the great outdoors. They can do cities when they’re older. I’m trying to get them to appreciate nature now

Credit card points. We haven’t paid for an international flight in years.

You can travel practically anywhere on earth on a budget. We've done it despite having plenty of money.

HHI of 300k, but just recently got there, and definitely can’t do some of the lavish vacations people here describe. Our kids are 9 and we took them to Iceland for Christmas 2 years ago (cheaper at Xmas than the summer!) and my kids loved it and cannot wait to go back. Since it’s been a few years since our last big trip we are planning on Hawaii this summer (although my kids and DH would gladly return to Iceland even though we were just there 2 years ago).

What are they interested in? I never traveled as a kid but I had a list of places I dreamed of going.

Peru was relatively affordable (although it was just DH and I when we went). We spent time in cusco, sacred valley, did Machu Picchu and then spent time in a wilderness lodge in the middle of the amazon and saw all sorts of amazing creatures. I would do that again every year if I had the budget to do it.

Macchu Picchu if teens are into it, Mexico, Chose a European country or two that the family has a special interest or connection to

Our HHI is $165. We actually do like to travel but I wouldn’t say we have lavish vacations. We have one DD (9). We try and do one biggish vacation a year, and then go away for long weekends 2-4 times a year. Covid was a bit different obviously. We are going to Kenya next summer on a Safari but it’s a trip of a lifetime for us and we’re saving now to pay for it and paying in installments. Our cars are a Honda and a Ford both paid off, we have 2 rescue dogs and live below our means in general.

And your family can’t go on lavish vacations like many DCUMrs…what trips would you prioritize for tweens/teens? Any must do reasonably priced experiences? I’m thinking of bigger trips every 2 years but small weekend/few day cheaper trips work as well.