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I am amazed at the number of responses this posting has received. Since someone has brought it back to the top, I'll add my comments - which basically echo most of what has been said here. <BR> <BR>Two and a half years ago we went to Europe for the first time. Previous vacations had been years in between, and mostly to Mexico which was cheap and close. <BR> <BR>We leave soon for our 10th trip to Europe (our second this year) and have reservations for a September trip as well. <BR> <BR>Wealthy? Not even close! We wait until Air France has a sale and mostly travel off-peak. Last year, that meant a VERY cold February in Venice - but the pay-off was waking up to a lovely soft snowfall on Valentine's Day. <BR> <BR>Our car is 8 years old, we rent a small apartment, entertain at home, etc. Vacations and retirement plans (hopefully a home in France) have become our priority. It is amazing the amount of money you can set aside when you're motiviated and you can't event remember what you used to spend it on!

No, we are not all wealthy. I have gone abroad every year since 1992. Of course, by that time, the last kid was out of school and the dog had died.

My plaster has cracks, my carpet has stains, my appliances are harvest gold. <BR> <BR>Needless to say, a fancy house is not where my money goes. The $2000 that I would have spent on carpeting was spent instead on two weeks in London. The $2000 for new appliances was spent instead on nine days in Paris. The plaster will continue to crack this summer while I spend 3 weeks in Germany.

Hang in there Joe, harvest gold is almost back in.

I also loved the comment on harvest gold. But what I really want to know is this, does anyone out there have AVOCADO appliances or dishes or whatever to save money to travel?!?

OK K, <BR> <BR>We draw the line at avocado. Anyone who blames travel for still owning avocado appliances will have his or her Travel License revoked. I'm sorry, but we must have some standards.

Henry Rollins once said in a spoken-word performance, "I'd rather die poor as hell than miss seeing even one thing in the world." It's not exactly fiscal advice, but it reminded me that I'm only going around once, and I'd rather get to London than wear DKNY. :) My trick, being a poor college student making six bucks and hour, is a dollar jar ~ I take what I ABSOLUTELY need out (insurance $, groceries, etc) and shove the rest in an old tea jar. Sometimes I add singles, sometimes twenties .... but it snowballs!!! I've only been working on the current jar for four months and I'm going to London in June. It sounds crazy but it's better than a savings bank. :)

Send this great thread to the top!!!!

I don't feel so bad now, at least my appliances are white even if they are 15 years old. I just replaced the 38 year old countertop myself (if you look any closer I will whack you on the back of the head) and we are putting another coat of paint on the cupboards. We had been saving for a new kitchen but we can't take the withdrawl any longer.

After an expensive and unenjoyable trip on a guided river trip in montana, I promised myself to travel in Europe instead. The cost of a Paris for two weeks was less than Montana for a week. (but I had to leave the boyfriend at home to save on airfare!). <BR> <BR>What I haven't seen mention of are traveling cheap hints. Some expenses are contant. I still eat when I'm at home, so the cost of meals like fruit yogurt, cheese or deli in Europe is not really a "Vacation Expense". And you can eat your main meal for lunch, have a beautiful meal, then crepes or dinner in a Tabac. The things that I do at home to save $ apply when traveling. Sit in the lounge and have an appetizer for dinner, limit or avoid alcoholic drinks when you are out. Keep to public transit, you see more and save more than using a cab. Under most circumstances, travel independently instead of a tour. Seek out free or inexpensive entertainment, free concerts, street theater, etc. Read bulletin boards and find out where those things are. Be careful about advice from hotel staff, be sure that you aren't getting pushed to touristic areas which locals wouldn't be caught at. And then JUST GO! You will find the money somewhere.

Good posts. Regarding Tina's: <BR> <BR>Am I the only one out here that doesn't know what a Tabac is? <BR> <BR>Can anyone enlighten me?

No, most people are not "wealthy" by any means...we first of all, always volunteer to give up our seats when we fly, then we get more vouchers, and can fly again for free. We sign up for every way to earn FF miles, and that usually means quite a few extra miles in our account. Second, I always look for a "deal"....yes, nice hotels are a weekness, but again, you can usually negotiate a much better rate than the published, or offered one. Third, we don't travel in the summer....everyone else is, and the prices are much higher. <BR>Fourth, we try and cost average our meals, so some days we will eat in very nice places, and then the next we will budget it. I remember in Sydney in January, we found a great little place for a full breakfast for about $6 each, and then also had lunch there for $4. That balances out what we spent the day before. Fourth, we take advantage of all the hotel frequent guest programs, so right now I have four free nights at a Hyatt, and due to a complaint with Ritz-Carlton, we have three free nights anywhere in the world. All, these things add up to making travel affordable.....it works for us. Even our daughter, a college student, uses a similar plan...She wanted to go visit friends in South Africa, but only have one voucher, so I gave her an extra one of mine, and then she had enough for a free ticket. It takes a little planning, but can reduce costs and lets you travel more.

I'm so glad I found this site. I was wondering the same thing myself. I just found out that everyone in our company will be receiving a bonus this year. First time ever! I immediately started thinking about planning a trip to Europe which has been a dream of mine for years. Then I started getting cold feet and thinking how I should use that bonus money for a million other "pratical" uses (new carpet, household repairs, etc.). After reading this post I'm back to planning that dream vacation. And I'm going to start cutting costs too! My parents, friends and so on, are always saying that they can't figure out what I do with my money and why I never have any. It's because I "blow it" on things that don't matter and that I can do without. Reading all these responses has given me a new incentive.

I saved a lot of money on airfare by buying my tickets on priceline. We are flying during July this summer for $325 plus tax (almost $400) a piece between Chicago and London. We are also making <BR>time share exchanges for 2 of the 3 weeks we are staying in Britian. If you can find a timeshare resale (never buy direct from the resort) with a fixed week in high travel season and low maintenance fees (around $300 yearly)it <BR>can really help give you a better vacation and save on meals because you have a kitchen.

I'm a forty-something grad student who lives simply and travels on a shoestring, most often to Britain, where I also do research <BR> <BR> I adore this forum, but am constantly astounded at what people are paying for hotel rooms in London. One exchange noted what a "good deal" 200+ pounds a night was! Not that I'm criticising at all--London is expensive, and if luxury accomodations are important to the pleasure of your trip, more power to you. But having, in a previous life, travelled to London on an expense account and staid in fancy places, I can tell you that the difference in comfort and convenience between "budget" and "lusury" is just not very great. If all you want is a clean, quiet place to sleep, there is no reason whatever to be paying more than $100 a night, and you can pay much less than that. Travelling at peak season, for instance, I stay in Bloomsbury or South Kensington dormitories at 30-40 pounds a night. Sure, you have to use the bathroom down the hall, and there's nothing elegant about the room. But the money I save on hotel rooms means I can stay longer, go more often, and do many more things. As many people have said on this thread, it's all a matter of priorities! <BR> <BR>Q.P <BR>

My parents wanted my children to fly down to visit them in florida over february school vacation. when i called to book the flight, the airfare was over 400.00. needless to say, they did not fly to florida. we did, however, end up flying to London during the same week for $199.00 round trip per person. how can you beat that airfare. the flight attendants could not even believe we flew so cheap. we prefer to travel off season when crowds are smaller and prices are cheaper. we had beautiful weather...60 degrees every day. i'll take london over florida any day!

Such an interesting thread. I'm not wealthy either and while my son was growing up, we traveled mostly in the US, camping quite a bit and managed to see 47 of the states (there are some beautiful places in the US). I was lucky to have lived in Germany for a few years when I was much younger with my then wife. I also was lucky to have worked for a company where I accumulated a lot of frequent flyer miles and use them in conjunction with my tickets. Living in California I rarly get the inexpensive trips that are available on the east coast. Some suggestions are to inquire about swapping abodes with someone where you want to travel to. I also always try to stay in a private residence. Last fall I stayed in a private flat in Budapest for $40.00 per night including a great breakfast. As I said I'm not wealthy bur do earn a decemt income(mot like Bill or Ted) and have been lucky in some of my investments. I take my lunch to work almost every day. I buy a new car every 12 to 15 years, but because I'm large I get a larger car. My current car has 250,000 miles on it. Quality does last longer. Now that my son is in a graduate program with full fellowship, I'm able to put more aside for travel. I actually spent almost as much on film development as on my 2 week trip to Hungary and the Chech republick last fall. I'm sure you'll find a way to make your travel dreams come true. There were some great ideas on this thread. <BR> <BR>Great travels. <BR>

I drive a 1989 Honda Prelude which is in "mint" condition. Occasionally, people will comment that I could afford a new car. It's just not one of my prioriies, I would rather travel to other countries than purchase a new car. It is amazing when you have a goal of a trip abroad, it's easy to say no to other purchases.