Vacations

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Am I the only one that has a hard time spending money for vacations? I recently retired but even before that other than going to see family I have not took a vacation since 2002. Every time I add up the dollars just can't to it. Be easier if had someone to go with. I am ahead of my budget for the year and trying to talk myself into something. Actual trying to talk myself into Mexico. I have had my shots but looks like still need to be tested before return trip.

 

[tallbm]

Am I the only one that has a hard time spending money for vacations? I recently retired but even before that other than going to see family I have not took a vacation since 2002. Every time I add up the dollars just can't to it. Be easier if had someone to go with. I am ahead of my budget for the year and trying to talk myself into something. Actual trying to talk myself into Mexico. I have had my shots but looks like still need to be tested before return trip.

I have some trouble but mostly because it's not "my" vacation only hahaha.
I was also looking at Mexico but that test before return has me apprehensive.

I would suggest starting small with something like a baseball game at like Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, or somewhere else iconic for a weekend trip with a big event. Choose a different sport if baseball isn't your thing but you get the idea.

Another small but fun thing is to find a festival or some other activity you would like to attend for a weekend.

I've traveled a ton for work and also been able to do it for leisure and I can tell you that 95%+ people who "love to travel" don't do it in a way I would consider enjoyable but more for the reason of posting pictures online and being able to tell a story. I prefer to have an experience vs a story to tell.

So starting small is sticking with an event. Or choosing a relaxation destination where you can fish, relax on the beach or in the mountains etc. AlsoI highly recommend you plan no more than 1 event and 1 meal per day or else you end up spending your whole vacation running from event to event and managing a schedule.
Finally location, location, location. Don't EVER skimp on location. If you want to go to the beach STAY ON THE BEACH.
If you want to go watch a sporting event STAY WITHIN WALING DISTANCE of the event!!! Stay where you want to be.
Also don't shrug off local stay-cation stuff. You can do 10x more stuff ubering and staying locally than buying a plane ticket and staying in hotel rooms for nights on end :)

Try some stuff out and let us know what you think.

 

[Central PA Cowboy]

I’m with you on vacations. Seem like a total waste of money.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

Am I the only one that has a hard time spending money for vacations?...

I have some trouble but mostly because it's not "my" vacation only hahaha.....

I'm retired as well, living on a fixed income, and I am always worried about spending money on anything. But all my life, I was taught the importance of family and about family being together. I only have one sibling, a sister and she is married, but they never had any children. My wife and I had 2 children and currently 4 granddaughters. All of my family lived within maybe 15 minutes of each other and my parents wholeheartedly believed in doing things as a family. We took at least one vacation every year and everyone of us would go. My father paid for it because it was that important to him for family to be together, not to mention that the rest of us didn't have much money. My parents are gone now and my situation has changed somewhat to the point where I can afford to pay for us to go on vacation together as a family, maybe not every year, but every couple of years and that's what my father would be most proud of. I'm not rich, just comfortable, but I will spend the money for our family to be together and I would never attempt to make someone feel bad about what they can or can not do, it's just what I do and believe in. At the end of the day, I live by the 3 F's: Faith, Family, Friends. Well there may be a 4th F, Fishing ...

That's enough about me, so let me tell you about my granddaughters.....

 

[SmokyMose]

Most of my life ( a lot of it single) meant "vacations" was only not being at work. I didn't have the money to "go" anywhere. In my work I traveled a lot and spent way too many nights in hotels.
Now that I'm retired and on permanent vacation the idea of going somewhere and staying at hotels doesn't do a thing for me.
If there's somewhere you want to go now, go for it!

 

[PPG1]

I too am retired. This should mean that my wife is retired, however she is in the same house doing the same job she's always done. I'm with GonnaSmoke on this. If I can afford it I will take her somewhere and if possible make it a family affair with kids and grandkids. As for spending money on vacations if it were just me i agree it would be a waste but I love it when I can bring my family together.

 

[clifish]

I have this argument all the time with my wife, We have had a bunch of $5-$9000 vacations over the years for our family of 4. It kills me spending it, we recently built a second house in PA and I want that to be the vacation for at least the next 5 years....I will probably lose that one.

 

[mike243]

No way would I spend 1 copper penny in Mexico, a person could end up dead down there ,

 

[gmc2003]

While the kids were growing up most of our vacations were spent traveling around the East Coast with their sports teams. My wife and I just purchased two 1st class tickets to Georgia. We haven't seen her in over a year.

Chris

 

[chopsaw]

Got married in 1989 . My wife used to always go to the beach with friends before that . We never even talked about a trip , until 2001 , she said we were going to Florida . It was awesome , and I needed that more than I knew . After that it was a yearly thing . Florida 2 more times , but was cheaper to go to Cancun Mexico . Did that for 4 years . She passed in 2008 , and I need strong supervision in an airport , so now me , my kids and 2 of my sisters and their family's go somewhere in the states . A lot of great things to do in this country . We're going to the smokey mountains in 9 days . Can't wait .

 

[clifish]

No way would I spend 1 copper penny in Mexico, a person could end up dead down there ,

We did the Mayan Riviera about 8 years ago...totally agree, the closet I am coming to go back to Mexico is a great Mexican restaurant!

 

[gmc2003]

Got married in 1989 . My wife used to always go to the beach with friends before that . We never even talked about a trip , until 2001 , she said we were going to Florida . It was awesome , and I needed that more than I knew . After that it was a yearly thing . Florida 2 more times , but was cheaper to go to Cancun Mexico . Did that for 4 years . She passed in 2008 , and I need strong supervision in an airport , so now me , my kids and 2 of my sisters and their family's go somewhere in the states . A lot of great things to do in this country . We're going to the smokey mountains in 9 days . Can't wait .

So true, there is so much to see in this country. Enjoy the smokey mountains Rick

Chris

 

[noboundaries]

When I was a kid, dad loved to drive across the country; hated to fly (he did that once and it was enough). I think the only place I haven't seen on 13 coast to coast driving trips with him is the UP of Michigan.

When I was in school, vacations were a non-stop party in FL or living cheap on an out-island in the Bahamas. The rent of one house split between 30 guys and 18 girls makes for a cheap Spring Break. Flight from FL was $70 and that was the priciest expense unless we got a speeding ticket.12 oz of Standard rum in a recycled Coke bottle was a buck. Can remember most of the days.

After school came the Navy. Either been to or flown 200 feet over just about all the places you can go around the Pacific, Aleutians, and Indian Ocean. Prior to marriage and kids, wore out tires on my Honda 4-banger and Yamaha 3-banger. My wife visited me overseas for 6 weeks before kids. We went on a cheap skiing vaca to Austria the day after I got out of the Navy when I cashed out my unused leave. Grandparents babysitted.

Started working. LOTS of business travel around the US. Vacations were to visit family and relatively close driving vacations, camping, etc. Once the nest emptied, Mexico vacas (prior to the crap going on now) were total zone-outs for me and places to go diving (Cozumel and Mayan Riv).

Retired now. She's still working. I'm not big on repeating anything. Now we set a destination with interesting museums on just about any topic. I've always shopped for the inexpensive ways to travel off-season to avoid crowds. And as long as we're educated and entertained, it's money well spent for both of us.

She needs a zone out vaca. Just the other day she checked our passports. Still good. I really gotta keep her away from PBS and Rick Steves' Europe travel shows.

 

[Brokenhandle]

I'd say do what makes you happy! We don't really take any major vacations... our time away from home is mostly spent at rendezvous throughout the year. Usually a few days in Deadwood S.D. a few days a year during Days of 76 rodeo and to meet up with friends we met there. Lot's of things to do without costing a fortune.

Ryan

 

[Fueling Around]

I don't find vacations cost a lot of money.
We have time share so the $2k per year fee gets us 3+ weeks of prepaid lodging in more than a crappy hotel room.
Vacationing is a very personal experience based on your likes.
As my daughter and son were growing up we tried give them a lot of experiences.
Adult can also benefit from the trips we took our kids to Science Centers, Museums, mountains, ocean, county fairs, state fairs, and National Parks.
We also took trips to Disney World and Disney Land.

 

[Colin1230]

I'm retired, have the money, and would love to travel at least one destination a year. We took the kids on vacation every year while we were both working. Mexico, California and Colorado were favorites. Unfortunately, my wife has health issues now (ovarian cancer) that complicate things to the point being away is not always enjoyable. So we stay pretty close to home, and that's not a bad thing. I guess my point is, if you can afford it, do it, while you still can.
Great advice by tallbm!

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Got married in 1989 . My wife used to always go to the beach with friends before that . We never even talked about a trip , until 2001 , she said we were going to Florida . It was awesome , and I needed that more than I knew . After that it was a yearly thing . Florida 2 more times , but was cheaper to go to Cancun Mexico . Did that for 4 years . She passed in 2008 , and I need strong supervision in an airport , so now me , my kids and 2 of my sisters and their family's go somewhere in the states . A lot of great things to do in this country . We're going to the smokey mountains in 9 days . Can't wait .

Use to do Cancun fairly often with brother. 2002 was the last time. We had a great time. Than he started taking care of our parents and I started new job. That was the last one. Guess my biggest thing is going alone. Now that I retired have time to try find someone but not sure how to do that. Just been me and dogs all my life. My brother usually spends the summer in the smokeys but he just had major surgery. If he ends up being able to go I will need to visit.

 

[BrianGSDTexoma]

Great advice. I had been thinking of going to San Antonio river walk where I can also drive. When I look at $250 a night for Hotel I change my mind. That what got me thinking about Mexico. Can stay there cheaper. I have good memories of there but I guess thinks change in 20 years.

 

[PPG1]

Vacationing is a very personal experience based on your likes.

Couldn't agree more with this statement. I enjoy my yearly trip to Memphis TN. love the food music and atmosphere. We also like visiting Biloxi MS. Casino's with live entertainment and just a short drive to New Orleans for lunch. In the winter I rent a cabin in the NC Mountains and the family gets together for a good time then we all go to the tree farm to cut our Christmas Trees.

 

[tallbm]

Great advice. I had been thinking of going to San Antonio river walk where I can also drive. When I look at $250 a night for Hotel I change my mind. That what got me thinking about Mexico. Can stay there cheaper. I have good memories of there but I guess thinks change in 20 years.

San Antonio river walk is awesome but yeah you definitely have to stay on the river walk to really enjoy it.
You can stay in Mexico cheaper per night but add a $600-$700 round trip flight and that is 2.5x the cost of 3 nights of a hotel in San Antonio.

Having traveled a ton we used to use Kayak.com to find cheapest flights and you can even use it for finding hotels but it's not as great about hotels. Also AirBnB is a good option for staying places though I doubt there are any houses on the riverwalk in San Antonio but I never checked so could be some homes or condos.

Being recently retired check out 1 month stays on AirBnB and you can find some amazing deals around the world and in Mexico for$800-$1.2k for the whole month. I've recently looked it up and as soon as the COVID testing restrictions lighten up I think I'm going to stay somewhere for a period of time and enjoy it since I work remotely :)

If you like mountains and relaxing in nature there are also some good deals in that range in the US in places like Montana and that area. I didn't find anything in a beach area on the water for that price so no luck there. I personally am looking to go somewhere that I can enjoy mingling with people now that I'm single again hahaha.

The stuff is out there BUT... you gotta pay to play :)

Question: Have you thought a bout a Texas BBQ road trip??? You could drive to Austin try a famous bbq spot, stay the night in the city and see some live music event or some other event, then next morning go do the wait at Franklins, etc.