I have to disagree with Filly. We are a one income family and we pay OUTRAGEOUS child support. We just drive an older vehicle and watch our spending so we can travel on occassion. There are time I long for the nice things that others have, but I usually end up deciding that seeing faraway places is more important to me.<BR><BR>It IS doable even with children/child support and one income. You just have to decide where your priorities are and limit spending in other areas. I am FAR from rich, trust me.

Between my wife and I we make 125,000.00,kids are married, live in a medium range home, travel 3 times a year and find Europe rather cheap.

Between my wife and I we make 125,000.00,kids are married, live in a medium range home, travel 3 times a year and find Europe rather cheap.

We go away five times a year - ski twice, scuba once, europe and south america. however, we live in a condo not a house, have one car, eat at home, food shop for seasonal produce and travel off-season to europe. europe is reasonable and we rent an apartment so that we can have breakfast in and sometimes cook, which we really enjoy. we look at the rate of exchange before we book too - we can't afford the US anymore.

Yo Dudes...Europe's cheap...try taking a family of four to Disneyland...now that is expensive!

Try getting by with $30,000 a year with two children and tell me Europe is cheap. There are LOTS of us out there and we can't afford to go to Europe. Period.

Well, filly, who are you blaming, that you only make 30,000 a year? Did you finish high school? Did you take your classes seriously? Did you want a good job to make decent money? Did you blow it at an early age?

Well, Filly, sounds like a personal problem to me.<BR><BR>Ever considered getting a better job?<BR>Ever consider a better education?<BR>Or, saving your $$$ for a long time?<BR><BR>I'm with you on the 2 kids, but guess what I didn't bring them into this world, you did. <BR><BR>Mine are raised, it will happen, give it time...then go!<BR><BR>Or you could just give up and then you'll never make it and you can say "See, I knew I couldn't do it."<BR><BR>Do you think we're all rich, my father was a mailman and didn't leave this kid a bundle.<BR><BR>I just got downsized, and I'm starting my own company and do not know when I'll get back...BUT I WILL GET THERE!

Filly: I agree, yes, it's hard. I am in the process of socking away a little from each paycheck to try and make it to Venice NEXT summer. I'm starting early and making a goal. I'm also researching the least expensive way to do and see everything.<BR><BR>I do agree with you, though.....it's tough and I certainly wish I could afford Europe a few times a year as so many seem to do. I don't know how they do it. Once a year I can understand, but I see some posts from people who go SEVERAL times a year.<BR><BR>I notice however, that the US has such great fares sometimes.....under $500.....you just gotta catch 'em. From where I live, it's usually closer to $1000, unfortunately, unless we find a sale.<BR><BR>I saved dearly for my last trip there...three years ago....and hope to accomplish it again next summer.<BR><BR>Good luck to all who are hoping to see the places they wish at some point in time. Hey, even if it takes years to save, why not go for it?<BR><BR>

Some people on this board are real a-holes. Depending on what part of the country you live, you can be perfectly well educated and still make 30,000. Teachers, for example, all have four year degrees and many have masters degrees. <BR><BR>So don't assume that she didn't graduate high school, you idiotic creep.<BR>

Miles are a girls best friend. I use my Chase ATM debit card for ALL my everyday expenses & internet purchases, even my gym membership. Since it comes right out of my checking account, I do not run up a debt. I've managed to accumulate enough points for a round trip ticket on Continental. So has my husband. Took 2 years. My husband owns his own business & pays for everything - Fed Ex, Staples, mortgage, taxes, on his AMEX Platinum. Also, all large personal purchases - electronics, gifts, etc. We currently have 278,000 points. So, airfare for our next trip is free, & the points will be converted to cover either a night or two at a 5 star hotel, or upgrades to 1st class. When you want to travel you can get pretty financially creative.

Agreed.<BR><BR>My husband has a masters in social work and makes only 28,000/year. He is probably a hell of lot smarter and better educated than most on this board, and happened to choose a profession that he BELIEVED in, rather than what would be the most lucrative. Filly, I know plenty of people with six figure incomes who go to Europe twice a year, or whatever and they still have empty lives because at the end of the day they have an empty, meaningless corporate job that doesn't fufill them.<BR><BR>

Lu,<BR><BR>Good point...but they can also get summer jobs, since they only work about 10 months per year. Also, they chose that profession, so they knew going in what the rewards would be.<BR><BR>Different strokes for different folks. <BR><BR>As I said earlier, I've been downsized and am starting my own business. Teaching and tenure were not for me...not enough risk/reward...and I'd have missed all those trips to Europe!<BR><BR>I mean, I could be bankrupt in about a year or I could be back making it happen...we'll see.

Stacy,<BR><BR>And exactly how did you know that I was all that miserable when I was a corporate VP...Mind reader?<BR><BR>Nope, I was well adjusted and BTW, I too did something I beleieved in and so did ny colleagues...we just happened to make a lot of $$$ doing it!<BR><BR>Sorry Darlin, but salary or lack of it doesn't necessarily equate to "righteousness"!<BR><BR>Sounds good, but it won't flush.

look, I'm not saying it's not possible to have a large income and be happy. Good for you. I'm just saying it is also possible to have a relatively low income and feel good about your life.<BR><BR>And I was mostly responding to the fact that someone said that a person who makes 30k was a high school dropout. <BR><BR>Ridiculous.<BR><BR>We are lucky because I am in a different industry and make considerably more than my hubbie. But I resent the implication that he is a failure b/c he makes less than 30k a year.<BR><BR>

Melanie, honey, you caught Rhett foolin around???<BR>Is that why he is taking me away for my birthday? Mmmm, I think that was one of those crazy Carleton twins, they are always foolin people..Me and my Yankee are off on our adventure tomorrow mornin,I will be sure to post a report on how we folks travel so well so often and still manage to keep the plantation going.Ciao,ya'll~<BR>

To answer “Curious’s” original question, I manage to travel to Europe several times a year because I am a pseudo-intellectual travel writer wannabe who practices all the time here on Fodors. Using my “nom de plume” – I’m pseudo-sophisticated, too – I can pass myself off so well as a big know-it-all that the hotel and airline companies and the tourist bureaus all comp me to fun things like walking tours of the Dalmatian coast (love those spotty dogs) or free cruises up the Oder River. I couldn’t possibly afford to travel there on my own, what with the price of lattes these days, plus the fact that I’m actually a college junior. Abiento!

Let's see...I worked hard in school, got into a good college (which I just finished paying for), and got a job in NYC, where I get paid 2X as much as my friends who have similar jobs in the "sticks" (for lack of a better term). So I have more disposable income. Also, I've been on birth control since I was 18 (don't laugh - you think if I had kids I'd be trekking in Thailand?) and I don't own a home or a car. I don't buy or own very much, because I can't fit much in my apartment! In NYC you can get a great takeout meal for under $6, and there's plenty to do without spending much money. So besides my rent, I don't have many expenses, and charge maybe a few hundred $$ to my credit card each month, that's all.<BR><BR>My #1 passion is travel...I care more about it than what I eat, what I wear, and owning "toys". So that's what my money goes towards!

The answer is simple. There are a lot of people here who make or have a lot of money. They can afford to go to Europe many times each year, stay in expensive hotels, and dine in expensive restaurants. Money may not buy happiness, but it can buy many expensive vacations.

Who are these Jones' and why the hell do they get everything?