travdis

I traveled recently with another couple on a cross country trip and they spent LOTS of MONEY! Normally when they are at home- they are very tight with their money, saving anyway they can using coupons and discounts. Though once they left for vacation they threw caution to the win and spent money like crazy. When asked about all their spending they said, "WERE ON VACATION"!

So, do you spend lots of money when you are on vacation?

kcapuani

Why are you so obsessed with money and the spending habits of rich people?!!

And in answer to your question, yes I save any way I can so that I can splurge while on vacation. I don't go overboard while traveling though. I still look out for the best deal on airfare and hotels. I just make sure that I never any any regrets when I'm back home because I didn't buy something or do something that I wanted . For example, I regret not taking a helicopter tour in Hawaii because it cost too much.

JJ5

I don't think travdis was obsessed, just surprised at the big difference between the at home and vacation behaviors. And also, kcapuani, "rich" is very relative.

I get "out of state" now every other weekend and also have two other big vacations a year. Traveling quite a bit, I want to use my travel dollar wisely. BUT, there have been a few special times that I have splurged. When I know that I will most probably never be back or get the chance again, I have spent more than is normally characteristic. One time I know I really shocked my companion by purchasing a work of art at an Native American dance that costed more than the plane fare and lodging for the entire trip. I usually can get through Rome or even Milan without buying more than a few articles of clothing, am not a shopper, and this seemed very odd to him.

But sometimes you just know that it is now or never. Not just with money, either. For instance, I wouldn't want to take the ride up to Jerome (Arizona) again, but I'm glad I did it that single time Once you are there and have the chance, don't want to have regrets.

I may be wrong, but I think travdis is observing something different. Once I saw a couple that spent so much that they were in credit card debt and didn't go again on any vacations for years. Never want that to happen as I love to see another new place every year.

iamq

travdis,
It must be such a burden to be so perfect .
-Bill

Sunnyboy

To JJ5 - travdis posts many questions that deal with other people's spending habits. Click on her name to see a sampling. travdis "trolls" very well and catches a lot of responders.

jimshep

I have noticed that some of my friends who live rather modestly at home go overboard when they travel, ordering everything on the menu and seeming to pick hotels on the basis of which one charges more.

When we travel, we book rooms that are as comfortable as what we have at home and, since we eat well at home, we look for the same when we travel.

missypie

I admit to a bit of extravagance on vacation. When I was little, our folks didn't have much money, but once we pulled up to a DQ on vacation and we were allowed to get SUNDAES instead of just a small cone...we were amazed and Mom said "We're on vacation!" We were just thrilled!

If one can afford it, it makes sense to be a bit extravagant on vacation. For example, if at home you only eat out at fast food restaurants, it would be a shame to do that while vacationing in Maine and miss out on a lobster dinner!

lscott

My husband, Scottish by ancestry, is the tightest man in the world at home..shops around to save a nickel on coffee and a hamburger. But on vacation he is a heck of a lot of fun! Throws money around, eats at the best places, tips extra, buys $50 bottles of wine at dinner and $5 ice cream cones. A different man! Me, I spend both at home and on vacation but don't enjoy it, inherited from a cheap mother and a spendthrift father.

mikemo

As always - "Value what you pay for, and pay for what you value".
M

Little_Man

my husband gets extravagant on vacation which sometimes makes me nervous, but then I say what the heck! We're on vacation! You only live once!

jimshep

Some people know the price of everything and the value of nothing--Oscar Wilde.

dwoodliff

Yes, I find that I spend lots more on vacation than I would ever dream of spending at home. When my kids want to buy something (especially clothes or CDs they can't find at home), I usually say yes. It's kind of like "it's now or never". (Our recent trip ended up being like Christmas in July. Two years in a row, we've bought musical instruments on vacation.)

For dining, I am much more conservative. One really nice meal a day is enough, and even that's not necessary, as long as we enjoy the food. At most restaurants, the portions have gotten so large that as much as half of the food goes to waste. Knowing we paid $75-100 for a meal, and ate less than half the food, really cuts down on the enjoyment. On my next trip, which is with a friend, I plan to do a lot less ordering and a lot more sharing.

Also, when traveling, I like to buy souvenirs for family and friends early, but not buy much for myself until the end of the trip. Then, if I have plenty of money left, I can spurge on something special, if I want.

One area that I never scrimp on is photographs. I take dozens (sometimes hundreds), and have them developed at the best lab. I recently spent big bucks on a picture CD of my family on a rafting trip. Better to have the preserved memories, than say "no" and regret it later.

In the area of hotels, 5-star and fancy doesn't do a thing for me. As long as it's clean and comfortable (and preferably has a good view), a less expensive hotel is fine with me.

Donna

Elizabeth

only if salt water taffy is available

ARKANSASNURSE

We plan for amounts allowed to spend per day, allowing for days that will cost more than others. Since we travel by vehicle, I allow $300 per day for gass, $300 per day for lodging, and $200 per day for food. Or about $1000 per day. then whatever isn't spent on a given day is allowed for extra. I usually arrive home 1500-2000 dollars to the good, which is banked for the next trip. I also try to pay for as much as I can in advance.

enjoylife

I use Priceline for the hotel and car,
shop on Tuesdays for the airfare, use
coupons and 1/2 price tickets when I can, but...if there is a tour or restaurant that can't be missed, I will splurge. Life is too short not to enjoy it. Having money when your dead isn't going to do anything for you.

obxgirl

$300 a day for gas? Wow! What are you driving?

artlover

jimshep,
Where in Oscar Wilde did you find that incredible quote?
It says SO MUCH!