What does everyone do for a living, how much money do you make, how much do you spend each year on travel?
Dec 27th, 2000, 10:43 AM
#41
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I am a college student about to be married to another college student. We make about $30,000/year together. We are spending $4000 on a 2 week honeymoon to Italy this January. You only get one chance at a honeymoon! I would spend double that amount if I had to. It truly is all about priorities.I drive a car with 100,000 miles on it, and we have no debt. If I have to charge the whole trip to Italy, I will. Some things are worth it!
Dec 27th, 2000, 11:26 AM
#42
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Many years ago, my wife and I took a cruise. We met several older couples who had decided to wait to travel until they retired and then found themselves in such bad physical condition that they really didn't enjoy it. We decided then to travel as much as possible while we were still young. We're in our 70's now, and fortunately still traveling, but we never regretted that decision.
Dec 27th, 2000, 07:15 PM
#43
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I think Abe has made his 'choices'....he just wants more! some people are never satisfied. If he truly loved to travel, he wouldn't be paying $2200 a month to live in a luxury condo (I don't care how small it is...it's still posh for that kind of money.) Perhaps he should 'rethink' his priorities if it's traveling he really wants.
Dec 30th, 2000, 10:18 PM
#44
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Observations from the posts: travel budget is relatively independent of income, time is the limiting factor for most travellers. I concur that one must make time for travel throughout one's life (if this is part of your life "mission statement"} or risk disappointment from the standpoint of health or other surprises. The pleasure obtained in travelling is not necessarily related to the money spent; rather the planning done, the anticipation, and the memories. For those who envision a different travel scenario with a higher income, remember the concept of "opportunity cost". For the self employed, that extra month off could well cost six figures or more of lost income, as a business owner pays him- or herself last (after paying for overhead including the holiday leave of employees). For some, including officers of public companies, extra time off can equate with unemployment. Some itineraries are simply not possible due to time rather than budgetary constraints. Other factors also determine the ease with which one can travel at times (family obligations and your child's school vacation schedule for starters).
Dec 31st, 2000, 01:23 PM
#46
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It has been interesting to read this thread. I, too, have been surprised at the high incomes reported. But, as has been pointed out, those people probably have higher expenses than I do. I think everyone is upset with Abe because she (it is SHE, isn't it? Abe talked about her/his "husband"...?) appears to be whining in her post and most people have a hard time feeling sorry for someone who makes as much money as she and her husband do and then complain about their lack of funds when the lack has a lot to do with the life choices they've made. If I had gone to law school and had to pay $1500/mo in students loans, I would be looking for a cheaper place to live. I've been to Chicago and there are plenty of nice neighborhoods outside of the downtown area.
Everyone who says it's a matter of priorities is correct. I am a single mother who makes around $27k/yr (with frequent raises). I do live in a town, though, where the cost of living is considerably lower than most. I not only raise a daughter and maintain a household on my salary, but also manage to pay back my student loans (totaling about $20,000 or $150/mo), paid off three credit cards this year and still find the money to take my daughter to Disney World once a year ($2400 for one week).
The only way we are able to go to Europe next year is because my father died this past summer and I decided to use some of my inheritance to travel, something my dad loved to do. Family members told me to use the money as a downpayment on a house (We currently live in an apartment). My priorities do not include buying a house and carrying the responsibility it entails at this point in my life. Right now, I manage to live a fairly comfortable life (besides students loans, a couple of credit cards and car loan are my only debt). Travel is seen as a luxury for me at this point, but a necessity for my daughter at her point in life. I fervently believe my nine year old should be made familiar with other cultures, customs, and ways of life...ESPECIALLY because we live in a state where many people never travel out of the state, let alone the country. Her mind needs to be broadened.
Thank you for letting me rant a little. I guess that is what this site's for, isn't it?
Bottom line - Everyone has a right to the lifestyle they choose. Just don't complain about it once you've made the choice.
Everyone who says it's a matter of priorities is correct. I am a single mother who makes around $27k/yr (with frequent raises). I do live in a town, though, where the cost of living is considerably lower than most. I not only raise a daughter and maintain a household on my salary, but also manage to pay back my student loans (totaling about $20,000 or $150/mo), paid off three credit cards this year and still find the money to take my daughter to Disney World once a year ($2400 for one week).
The only way we are able to go to Europe next year is because my father died this past summer and I decided to use some of my inheritance to travel, something my dad loved to do. Family members told me to use the money as a downpayment on a house (We currently live in an apartment). My priorities do not include buying a house and carrying the responsibility it entails at this point in my life. Right now, I manage to live a fairly comfortable life (besides students loans, a couple of credit cards and car loan are my only debt). Travel is seen as a luxury for me at this point, but a necessity for my daughter at her point in life. I fervently believe my nine year old should be made familiar with other cultures, customs, and ways of life...ESPECIALLY because we live in a state where many people never travel out of the state, let alone the country. Her mind needs to be broadened.
Thank you for letting me rant a little. I guess that is what this site's for, isn't it?
Bottom line - Everyone has a right to the lifestyle they choose. Just don't complain about it once you've made the choice.
Dec 31st, 2000, 02:45 PM
#47
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I have been reading this site since it began, and I am surprised that no one has mentioned why *anyone* would want to post their income here!
(What one makes, use to be one of those subjects one did not discuss)
But I want to respond to something April just posted.
I agree with her point of view on spending some of her inheritance on travel.
My family is also not in a position to be spending the amount we are, on our italy trip this june.
But my grandfather left me money.
He was never able to travel to Europe because my grandmother would not go overseas (the islands were fine with her though!)
His big dream was a trip to Europe.
So, we are going in memory to him.
This money would of course be better spent, if it was *not* spent at all.
But, we could all get sick, or worse, tomorrow.
As someone else said on this post;
Carpe Diem (forgive poor spelling)
(What one makes, use to be one of those subjects one did not discuss)
But I want to respond to something April just posted.
I agree with her point of view on spending some of her inheritance on travel.
My family is also not in a position to be spending the amount we are, on our italy trip this june.
But my grandfather left me money.
He was never able to travel to Europe because my grandmother would not go overseas (the islands were fine with her though!)
His big dream was a trip to Europe.
So, we are going in memory to him.
This money would of course be better spent, if it was *not* spent at all.
But, we could all get sick, or worse, tomorrow.
As someone else said on this post;
Carpe Diem (forgive poor spelling)
Jan 1st, 2001, 07:02 PM
#48
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Why are so many people being judgmental of some posters who make good money but still have trouble travelling? It isn't so hard to figure out. Speaking for myself, we earn a lot, but we don't feel we can afford to travel very much. We prefer to stay completely out of debt aside from a mortgage, pre-pay the mortgage, max out our retirement account contributions, and still save a decent amount on top of all of that. Plus, there's the issue of saving for the kids' college educations. So even though we make over $300,000, there just isn't much left when every trip requires us to buy plane tickets for the whole family.
So if someone like Abe suggests money is tight, that is probably because she is trying to be very responsible about money. At least, that is what it sounds like to me. And as for buying a condo in the city, this is a smart move because it may appreciate more than something in the burbs. Besides, why would young married people want to live in the burbs before they have to? You go, Abe!
So if someone like Abe suggests money is tight, that is probably because she is trying to be very responsible about money. At least, that is what it sounds like to me. And as for buying a condo in the city, this is a smart move because it may appreciate more than something in the burbs. Besides, why would young married people want to live in the burbs before they have to? You go, Abe!
Jan 1st, 2001, 08:03 PM
#49
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Armchair:
As many have said, it's the 'tenor' of Abe's post that sending some folks over the edge. Yes, she's listed some hefty expenses that counter balance a very good salary. As the many of the visitors to this site don't make 175k, it can be a tad difficult to work up a good cry over the lack of travel funding. We all have to live with the choices we make; and if you want circumstances to change (i.e., the ability to travel more), then try to make different choices that will allow you to do so.
You probably feel that you're exercising fiscal responsibility; however, I would not want to change places with you even if you are earning such a respectable salary --- to earn 300k and not have enough left to travel? From where I sit, it sounds very sad.
As many have said, it's the 'tenor' of Abe's post that sending some folks over the edge. Yes, she's listed some hefty expenses that counter balance a very good salary. As the many of the visitors to this site don't make 175k, it can be a tad difficult to work up a good cry over the lack of travel funding. We all have to live with the choices we make; and if you want circumstances to change (i.e., the ability to travel more), then try to make different choices that will allow you to do so.
You probably feel that you're exercising fiscal responsibility; however, I would not want to change places with you even if you are earning such a respectable salary --- to earn 300k and not have enough left to travel? From where I sit, it sounds very sad.
Jan 1st, 2001, 10:48 PM
#50
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Yes, some of these American salaries may sound enormous to Europeans and Australians, but there's a catch: as Americans, we have to fund our own retirement plans and pay for our own medical and dental insurance.
Yes, major employers often subsidize a portion of it, but you as an individual could never hope to obtain the kind of medical insurance rates that a corporation can get. And you still have to make co-payments whenever you receive care, in addition to your premiums. We paid over $3,000 in medical expenses alone last year, but like most Americans, we can't even deduct the expense on our taxes because we didn't go above the 7.5% threshhold.
That before-tax contribution to the retirement plan also takes a chunk out of the old paycheck! And if the stock market crashes, Americans and their retirement plans will be in a world of hurt. You have to invest to stay ahead of inflation, but you're essentially gambling with your retirement funds. Kinda scary.
Oh yes, and the person who said that those six figure income types may earn, but they also pay, was correct. They pay in the form of little or no vacation time, long hours, nights and weekends full of work, reduced family time, being on-call for their companies 24 hours a day in the form of pagers and cell phones, higher stress levels, more business travel, etc...etc... They may have more "things" but definitely less time to enjoy them.
Yes, major employers often subsidize a portion of it, but you as an individual could never hope to obtain the kind of medical insurance rates that a corporation can get. And you still have to make co-payments whenever you receive care, in addition to your premiums. We paid over $3,000 in medical expenses alone last year, but like most Americans, we can't even deduct the expense on our taxes because we didn't go above the 7.5% threshhold.
That before-tax contribution to the retirement plan also takes a chunk out of the old paycheck! And if the stock market crashes, Americans and their retirement plans will be in a world of hurt. You have to invest to stay ahead of inflation, but you're essentially gambling with your retirement funds. Kinda scary.
Oh yes, and the person who said that those six figure income types may earn, but they also pay, was correct. They pay in the form of little or no vacation time, long hours, nights and weekends full of work, reduced family time, being on-call for their companies 24 hours a day in the form of pagers and cell phones, higher stress levels, more business travel, etc...etc... They may have more "things" but definitely less time to enjoy them.
Jan 2nd, 2001, 05:04 AM
#51
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Sorry if I sounded a little defensive. But to the extent I have read threads about money, there seems to be a prevailing sense on this board that if someone earns a lot and can't travel much, then they must have screwed up priorities or they have too many SUVs in the driveway and bangles on their wrists. But as others have said, self-employed people have to fund their own dental, medical, disability, and vision insurance/expenses; fund their own retirement or eat cat food later; pay taxes that would knock you off your feet; and to save for a rainy day when the business has a bad year. But then again, if we'd just go ahead and finance our cars, run up our credit cards, scrimp on retirement savings, and take out a second mortgage, we'd have plenty of money for huge trips. I just can't bring myself to do it.
Jan 2nd, 2001, 06:29 AM
#52
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Sorry but I had to reply once again. Thank all of you who stood up for me on this board I appreciate it. In addition thank you to all of you guys that sacked me as well. A little criticism is good every now and then. Perhaps the tone of my posts was a little on the whiny side, I did not intend for them to be so. I do love to travel and the fact that I cannot spend 10k yr doing it now is fine. No one should feel sorry for me. I just limit my travel for the time being and travel in the off season as it is much cheaper and travel every other year instead of every year. I am envious of those who can spare the funds now to travel but please don't feel sorry for me because i don't.
For the record, i have been told that my priorites are not in order and why am I spending so much on a luxury condo in the city? Once again, this condo is not luxury at all. The average price of a 2 bedrrom condo in my area is $300k ( for one reason, it costs an extra 30k for one parking spot to go with the condo) We live in the city for a couple of resons. We only own 1 vehicle for 2 people, living in the city, I take the subway to work while my husband uses the car. Reason number 2, I work in from 7:30 in the morning to at least 6p.m. (on a good day) the people in my office who live in the suburbs have about an hour and a half each way commute to work. Imagine tacking an extra 3 hours on to this work day. I have made choices and one of those choices is that I would like to spend more time at home with my family and less time away! Finally, I agree with the person talking about the increase in value of homes and condos in the city. We plan to live in the Chicago area for about 4 years before moving to D.C. (required by my husbands job) it is important that we get a good resale value on our home so that the mortgage on our next home purchase in D.C. (where housing is also extremely high) will not kill us. We have owned our home for 1 1/2 years the resale value has already increased by $70k. We are definitely looking to the future and supporting are family which we plan to start within the new year!
Happ New Year to everyone out there as we all have one thing in common LOVE FOR TRAVEL!
For the record, i have been told that my priorites are not in order and why am I spending so much on a luxury condo in the city? Once again, this condo is not luxury at all. The average price of a 2 bedrrom condo in my area is $300k ( for one reason, it costs an extra 30k for one parking spot to go with the condo) We live in the city for a couple of resons. We only own 1 vehicle for 2 people, living in the city, I take the subway to work while my husband uses the car. Reason number 2, I work in from 7:30 in the morning to at least 6p.m. (on a good day) the people in my office who live in the suburbs have about an hour and a half each way commute to work. Imagine tacking an extra 3 hours on to this work day. I have made choices and one of those choices is that I would like to spend more time at home with my family and less time away! Finally, I agree with the person talking about the increase in value of homes and condos in the city. We plan to live in the Chicago area for about 4 years before moving to D.C. (required by my husbands job) it is important that we get a good resale value on our home so that the mortgage on our next home purchase in D.C. (where housing is also extremely high) will not kill us. We have owned our home for 1 1/2 years the resale value has already increased by $70k. We are definitely looking to the future and supporting are family which we plan to start within the new year!
Happ New Year to everyone out there as we all have one thing in common LOVE FOR TRAVEL!
Jan 2nd, 2001, 04:30 PM
#54
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TO Kylie,
Gee, I always heard that the good old USA was the land of milk and honey...dreams come true there. It sure doesn't sound like it from your post. My heart bleeds for you....I sure hope you don't end up eating cat food with Armchair.
Armchair... no body said the lower income travellers ran up huge debts to travel. It still comes down to priorities, not dept or lack of responsibility. I don't earn much , but I also don't have any debt. I make choices so I'm able to travel.
To Abe,
...Apology accepted. If you truly didn't mean it to be whinning...then you are entilted to your priorities...as long as you are happy with them. I hope someday, you will be able to take some great trips.
Gee, I always heard that the good old USA was the land of milk and honey...dreams come true there. It sure doesn't sound like it from your post. My heart bleeds for you....I sure hope you don't end up eating cat food with Armchair.
Armchair... no body said the lower income travellers ran up huge debts to travel. It still comes down to priorities, not dept or lack of responsibility. I don't earn much , but I also don't have any debt. I make choices so I'm able to travel.
To Abe,
...Apology accepted. If you truly didn't mean it to be whinning...then you are entilted to your priorities...as long as you are happy with them. I hope someday, you will be able to take some great trips.
