90% of my childhood our vacations involved season passes at Kings Dominion (grew up in NC). Other than that we flew across country to visit family a handful of times over the years. That was it. Beach vacations were typically day trips only because beach hotels are expensive. My mom didn't like camping so that was out.

Yes I’m reviving this thread. If you don’t make tons of money, which trips would you prioritize for your kids?

Haven’t read the whole thread, but just wanted to note that back in the day most families didn’t vacation like they seem to now. We were solidly UMC (although my parents were frugal) but we hardly ever vacationed. We went to see grandparents a lot - one set of whom lived in FL so it had somewhat of a vacation feel and sometimes I stayed with grandparents while my parents took a trip. Otherwise, we did a few weekend trips here and there, Williamsburg, Philly, Cape May that kind of thing, and we went to Disney once and Virginia Beach once. I think that was about it!

Now, we are UMC but nothing crazy. My kids are used to vacationing every year, often more than once. One thing I do is rack up credit card hotel points (will open/close cards for bonuses and charge everything). Has allowed for some cost effective nice vacations.

Anonymous wrote:My parents were mid-west middle class. When my dad worked for an airline, we'd go standby to lesser known beach cities in FL once every few years. Other years, and after his lost his job post 9/11, it was camping. When we were younger, he were happy to just go to a hotel with a pool when the winter for a weekend, far enough away that it felt super far to us littles! (maybe an hour?) We ordered in pizza and got to watch cable!

DH and I are upper middle class for DCUM. We haven't quite figured out what our budget is for vacays, but most likely day trips for awhile, off season to VA or MD beaches. Some camping too. Once the kids get older, hopefully we'll have had some raises by then.

You are not upper middle class. Just look at the way you write, which reflects your upbringing and speech patterns.

Littles? awhile?

We go to Williamsburg, to be beach before memorial day or after Labor Day, camping, Shenandoah Valley in the summer. The trips are fairly short long weekends. It costs so much to live here there is not much left over to do anyone "big" so we would rather take more shorter trips.

Anonymous wrote:this thread is everything that is wrong with DCUM. Right here.

Why? Not everyone can afford $$$ trips

this thread is everything that is wrong with DCUM. Right here.

Anonymous wrote:Between the military, high travel government, sales or non profit jobs, many middle class families are able to travel using points or other means such as friends and family in foreign countries etc. You can also save money with shorter stays, travel off season and budget airlines. It is not necessary to spend thousands of dollars to travel. You’d be surprised at how little travel can cost using various means. We often travel for free or for peanuts compared to the sticker price for travel.

Do you have school aged kids? If so, do you just take them out of school for off season travel?

Between the military, high travel government, sales or non profit jobs, many middle class families are able to travel using points or other means such as friends and family in foreign countries etc. You can also save money with shorter stays, travel off season and budget airlines. It is not necessary to spend thousands of dollars to travel. You’d be surprised at how little travel can cost using various means. We often travel for free or for peanuts compared to the sticker price for travel.

My parents were mid-west middle class. When my dad worked for an airline, we'd go standby to lesser known beach cities in FL once every few years. Other years, and after his lost his job post 9/11, it was camping. When we were younger, he were happy to just go to a hotel with a pool when the winter for a weekend, far enough away that it felt super far to us littles! (maybe an hour?) We ordered in pizza and got to watch cable!

DH and I are upper middle class for DCUM. We haven't quite figured out what our budget is for vacays, but most likely day trips for awhile, off season to VA or MD beaches. Some camping too. Once the kids get older, hopefully we'll have had some raises by then.

Anonymous wrote:OC.

OC, Rehoboth, Myrtle Beach, Williamsburg

Stay with family, or visit long island.

The wealthy folks would not be clicking on this post that says middle class.

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the income and budget situation.

The reality is that most people can afford to travel as long as they prioritize and save.

Our HHI for our big family is currently $240. But last year it was $150ish. We have always traveled. We have passports. Caribbean, Canada, nice domestic trips, too. Saving up for Europe.

But we drive older cars, our furniture is very basic, no fancy landscaping, no cleaning service, no organic food, no fancy clothes, we pack lunches, etc. Public schools.

Tell me your budget, and I'll tell you where to go.

How do you go about finding good deals?

The LMC families that I know (both growing up and now) find ways to vacation cheaper. They go and stay with family or close friends and then do day trips to attractions. They go to places like the beach off-peak times (I know one family that would take off a week or two before Memorial Day or a week or two after Labor Day to go to Ocean City). They go camping or they share accommodations with friends. I know two families who usually go and rent a vacation house together. They bring sleeping bags and the kids sleep dorm style in rooms for boys and girls so that they can go two families in a 3 or 4 BR house. It costs them much less than trying to stay in even motels.