Anonymous wrote:I drive a cheap car, only eat out in cheap ethnic places and live on a house on a busy road. In return, we can take the kids to UK/Europe for two weeks every year, as well as go on a couple of mini-breaks a year while in-laws watch the kids. We probably spend a good chunk of our money on travel but we enjoy it.

PP, how much do your two-week family trips cost - airfare, lodging, transport, entry fees and activities, food, souvenirs… total bill? (I assume you do the trips in the summer?)

We penny pinch everywhere we can to save up for travel. Once the basics of life are taken care of, the only thing we like to spend money on is travel. If you want to travel to Europe, be open to drive to other airports. There were a couple of times we got the flight from JFK. You can direct flights and the price would be less. You can drive/amtrak/megabus and save some money. The flip side is getting there takes additional travel time.

Anonymous wrote:I long for the days when I could get a $500 flight to europe over the winter. sigh. now that I have kids, I think it'll be another decade before I travel internationally.

So, go somewhere in the U.S. There has to be someplace different or of interest in this vast continent of ours.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I drive a cheap car, only eat out in cheap ethnic places and live on a house on a busy road. In return, we can take the kids to UK/Europe for two weeks every year, as well as go on a couple of mini-breaks a year while in-laws watch the kids. We probably spend a good chunk of our money on travel but we enjoy it.

OP here. Any tips for finding airfare over to the UK or Ireland?

This is us as well. Almost to a t except that we have 1 car (only need one car) but its a saab that DH paid off years ago. We've found a couple of awesome Travelzoo deals.

Anonymous wrote:I long for the days when I could get a $500 flight to europe over the winter. sigh. now that I have kids, I think it'll be another decade before I travel internationally.

This reminded me of the old People's Express. In 1986, as a student, I managed to get some promotional deal from New York to London for $99 each way. I flew to Ireland two years ago for $1100 round trip. Sigh. My DD is asking for a trip to Italy for high school graduation, but I just don't think we'll be able to swing the airfare.

Anonymous wrote:How? Well, my neighbors who routinely go to Europe and then go to Costa Rica/Turks/St. Kitts over Christmas break all bring in $500,000 to $900,000 a year. Because Dad is partner at a top 10 firm and mom is another kind of lawyer or a "consultant."

Yes, it's depressing being their neighbor and wanting to like my Staycations

Yes, they make money, but their employer suck up every minute of their time. Do not begrudge them this vacation. You have to ALWAYS pay the piper, one way or the other.

Anonymous wrote:How? Well, my neighbors who routinely go to Europe and then go to Costa Rica/Turks/St. Kitts over Christmas break all bring in $500,000 to $900,000 a year. Because Dad is partner at a top 10 firm and mom is another kind of lawyer or a "consultant."

Yes, it's depressing being their neighbor and wanting to like my Staycations

So move. Come to my neighborhood.

Anonymous wrote:I hear you. I have friends who travel overseas with their families every year. I am sure they are better savers than I.

Or have frequent flyer miles.

I long for the days when I could get a $500 flight to europe over the winter. sigh. now that I have kids, I think it'll be another decade before I travel internationally.

How? Well, my neighbors who routinely go to Europe and then go to Costa Rica/Turks/St. Kitts over Christmas break all bring in $500,000 to $900,000 a year. Because Dad is partner at a top 10 firm and mom is another kind of lawyer or a "consultant."

Yes, it's depressing being their neighbor and wanting to like my Staycations

Anonymous wrote:I drive a cheap car, only eat out in cheap ethnic places and live on a house on a busy road. In return, we can take the kids to UK/Europe for two weeks every year, as well as go on a couple of mini-breaks a year while in-laws watch the kids. We probably spend a good chunk of our money on travel but we enjoy it.

OP here. Any tips for finding airfare over to the UK or Ireland?

I drive a cheap car, only eat out in cheap ethnic places and live on a house on a busy road. In return, we can take the kids to UK/Europe for two weeks every year, as well as go on a couple of mini-breaks a year while in-laws watch the kids. We probably spend a good chunk of our money on travel but we enjoy it.

I hear you. I have friends who travel overseas with their families every year. I am sure they are better savers than I.

OP here. I know my vent is whiny and a first world problem. I'm also just sincerely curious how people can afford international travel both time- and money-wise...

I used to live in England and some of my friends are planning a mini-reunion in May. Kids are invited but looking at tickets, I'm just depressed about how much air fare is. Even without kids, it seems very expensive.

How do people afford it? We'd been planning on a 10th anniversary trip, but between not having enough vacation time (thanks to snow days and other assorted days off of school) and money, I don't think the trip will happen, though we've been saving for awhile.