Sounds perfect to me.

I think it's unfortunate your everyday life is such you look forward so much to vacations. I'd look at elevating your normal happiness level. I expect it doesn't take money to do that, but I don't know the details of your life.

Interesting thread. What do you consider an expensive vacation? Personally I think it is a wonderful idea, but after the "mandatory" vacations to visit grandparents we don't have time or money left.

If vacations are your thing, go for it! I had a paralegal who lived, breathed and died for exotic vacations. She saved everything to go on amazing vacations a few times a year (figi, Australia, Alaska, etc.). I loved looking at her pictures and hearing all about it. I think it is a wonderful way to live!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Remember - it's experiences like vacations - not stuff -- that contribute to a sense of happiness. Plus planning for the vacation also boosts your level of contentment because you are thinking about the vacation. I think you are doing just fine, OP. Plan those vacations!

I will take stuff over vacations all day long, personally. I get to have the stuff 365 days a year.

"The less stuff you have, the less time you have to spend cleaning and putting the stuff away so you have more time to vacation!"

Anonymous wrote:Remember - it's experiences like vacations - not stuff -- that contribute to a sense of happiness. Plus planning for the vacation also boosts your level of contentment because you are thinking about the vacation. I think you are doing just fine, OP. Plan those vacations!

I will take stuff over vacations all day long, personally. I get to have the stuff 365 days a year.

I don't see a problem in what you describe. Part of being frugal on the day to day stuff is being able to afford the occasional nice things you do actually enjoy. I think the fact that you live within your means is exactly why you should enjoy those vacations.

Our family also enjoys pretty expensive vacations. It is one of the things we really look forward to. We don't plan on changing this.

Anonymous wrote:Remember - it's experiences like vacations - not stuff -- that contribute to a sense of happiness. Plus planning for the vacation also boosts your level of contentment because you are thinking about the vacation. I think you are doing just fine, OP. Plan those vacations!

So long as you aren't going into debt or putting your retirement at risk, I think "splurging" on vacations is wonderful. Psych studies have shown that experiences have a longer lasting impact on our happiness than things.

I happen to think that it is a healthier message for your kids, too. But that is probably because that is how I was raised. Modest house, one modest car. Cool vacations. Limitless books (which are kind of like instant vacations to some of us).

OP, I think this is great! Can you share some of your past vacations? I'd love some inspiration.

Do what you want. We all value things differently. As long as it's in the budget for you, then own your decision and enjoy the vacation!

We too take nice vacations. An overseas vacation a year was one compromise we made when deciding to get married. DH's family didn't travel, but mine traveled extensively.

Remember - it's experiences like vacations - not stuff -- that contribute to a sense of happiness. Plus planning for the vacation also boosts your level of contentment because you are thinking about the vacation. I think you are doing just fine, OP. Plan those vacations!

If you're living within your means and preparing for the future, it's healthy to have a few luxuries to enjoy. Life is meant to be lived.

Vacations are what get me out of bed in the morning. We set our vacation budgets as high as we can manage and live well within our means in other areas. HHI similar to yours and mortgage $1K higher.

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?