Honest Opinion? Affordability!!
 

I'm just curious how does everyone pay for there vacations? Do you charge them or save money each month. If so, how far in advance do you begin saving? I'm just curious. I love to travel but it's extremely hard to save for a vacation and I don't even have children. I know some people are fortunate enough to make enough money to take extravagant vacations or mulitple trips each year. Just curious I guess.

I have $400 per month taken out of my paycheck and sent to a savings account so I don't even see it - and get tempted to spend it right away. That's usually my vacation money each year, although I still end up charging some things.

We put our vacations on our credit card. The minute that it is paid off, hubby lets me start planning the next trip. This accomplishes two things; a)it encourages/inspires me to be thrifty to pay the bill down faster and b) we can go as extravagant or as cheap as we want, we can't go again til it's paid off regardless. The only down side is the interest, but our card has a low enough %.

We do a little of both. Once my fiance and I decide we're going to take a vacation, we start saving a little from each pay check. We usually try to have enough to cover the airfare and hotel. Then we use our credit card for food and sightseeing.

We do a lot of traveling and it is an important aspect of our lives. I actually have a very flexible second job/avocation that I use to help cover the expenses. We also choose to live in a more modest home and drive our cars a little longer than some people we know. The payoff? Several trips each year to international destinations -- and we've learned how to get a LOT for our money. We're all elite-level frequent flyers. We know a deal when we see one. We can often take a long weekend in Europe for well under $1,000 per person complete. Ditto for Asia. Canada is far less expensive than many U.S. alternatives for summer travel and less crowded. In the U.S., we make use of seasonal pricing we've learned how to find very nice hotels for far less than many people pay. So it's a combination of placing a high priority on having the experiences and then the know-how to get it done well for reasonable costs. We don't really "save" for vacations, but we budget them and absorb the costs over a period of 3-4 months.

Wow. Some good advice. It's hard for me to save. I have a budget, but love to travel. It just seem so easy to book the vacation on the charge. Just curious how many of the fodorites charge<BR>there vacations.

My husband and I do charge our vacations - to accrue airmiles for our next vacation! It took us several years, but our cross-country flight and a week or so of hotels were free. We pay in full each month, so we don't incur debt, which we would find way too stressful!<BR>We do have a budget, and plan carefully to stretch our money. Like "Anon", we have to give in other areas of our lives to afford the luxury of travel.

V, just as important as saving for your vacation is finding the best deal. Before I used the internet, I was paying full fare for the flights and the regular rates for the hotel. Now that I'm internet savy, I've saved a bundle on our vacations. I bookmarked the best websites (I think) that offer the cheapest tickets and hotel rates so it's a lot easier to plan our vacations. So just do some research and you'll be amazed that your dream vacation might be more affordable than you think.

V, go over to the Europe forum and do a search for a thread entitled "Is everyone here immensely weathly?" originally posted on April 15, 1999. <BR><BR>It's one of the best threads I've ever seen on Fodor's, had well over 200 responses at my last viewing of it. Read it and discover the many ways that people will scrimp, sacrifice or budget for their passion: TRAVEL.

Honestly I charge it! I'm positive more people here charge there vacations. Come on people, let's be real here. You don't save for airfare, hotel, dinners, plus spending money all in one shot. I may pay cash for part of my trip, but the rests is unfortunately, on the card. Heck, if I'd save and scrimp for my dream vacation, I won't be going for another 5 years. What to speak of those who travel with kids!

I have no loans, no credit card debt, no car, no mortgage, no kids, and I generally hate shopping. I also eat cheaply, averaging $4 for lunch and and $5 or $6 on dinner. The only things I grocery-shop for are milk, cereal (on sale), toilet paper, and a couple fruits and veggies. My other expenses are rent, internet, electicity, cell phone, that's it. Keeping it simple and cheap allows my bank account to grow. I don't even *think* about "saving for vacation"...the money is just there when I need it b/c i'm not a big spender otherwise. I have no qualms about spending $2K-3K for a 10-day trip every 6 months. That's a lot for my salary...but vacations are what I live for!<BR><BR>Hope you find something that works for you, V!<BR><BR>

Wow Suzanne. I must give it up to you. You manage your finances. I wish I could save and take $2K-3K vacations every 6 Months. That's quite a bit. I don't know your salary and personally its none of my business, but you probably make good enough money that allows you substitute other things for traveling ( I couldn't personally go without a car) but- More power to ya!

Like Suzanne([email protected]), I also don't spend a lot in my daily life, and live for my travel time too. While I do have a car, I buy used ones 4-5 years old and drive them til they rot. Food is probably my biggest expense, followed by mortgage. I use credit cards only because of the protection offered, but pay off the balance immediately. I'm planning my next trip as I return from the current one. I make a decent wage, not high, but watch the pennies and let the dollars take care of themselves.<BR>

I don't understand why someone would list renting as being more financial sound than having a mortgage - which is whay Suzanne seems to be implying. Real estate is almost always a sound investment - for many reasons - and in certain locations, can be an AMAZING investment. I'm not going to get into a diatribe about Real Estate 101, but does anyone other than Suzanne think renting is usually more financially savvy than renting?

Having seen the value of my house increase over $500K in 6 years I realize that the smartest investment these days is real estate. Save for a downpayment on a home first then start saving for those vacations.

I charge my plane tickets, but pay it off before I take my trip. The only thing I have to pay for afterwards is car rental and hotel.<BR><BR>I used to charge everything, and pay off a little every month after the trip, so I'd still be paying on the last trip when I took the next one. Then I realized how ridiculously stupid that was.<BR><BR>I also found that marrying a very intelligent man when he was very young and penniless, then watch him take his profession by storm and now earns the big bucks, works pretty well if you want to take nice vacations. He goes to Europe 4-5 times a year, and I usually go twice, plus we take one trip in the US somewhere, and some weekend trips.<BR><BR>BTW, real estate is not always a good investment. If you move often, like many people do, then you'd lose money buying. Or if real estate in your area doesn't appreciate quickly. It all depends on the individual's situation. For example, friends bought a condo in 1993 in Arlington, Virginia. You'd think the place would have at least doubled in value by now, right? Wrong, they sold it last year, at a loss. On the other hand, my house in Alexandria, Virginia, has increased in value by $130,000 in 18 months.

Ann - <BR><BR>Don't you find living vicariously through your husband in this day and age to be a bit limiting? An isn't running up credit card debt beyond your immediate means while he's working hard to provide you with a good living terribly selfish? I guess marrying well is important if you don't have the ability and drive to make it yourself.

DependencyAlert...why judge her? If it works in their relationship, then good for them. <BR><BR>I just had to put in my two bits cuz it irritates me when people assume that women/men in relationships who do not work/make significantly less money somehow are of a lesser status in the relationship. People bring different things to a relationship. <BR><BR>My relationship with my DH didn't revolve around $ when we had none, or when I was making significantly more than him, so why should it now?<BR><BR>And to answer the original ?...Like others we charge them for the FF, but pay it off every month, find deals thru a lot of research and on the 'net. I'm guessing not having kids helps ;)

I must admit, I'm not reach nor not poor. I'm blessed to have my health and not be in tons of debt. I have in the past charged some vacations, especially those last minute deals that you simply can't pass up. I understand the temptation in using those charge cards. I'm looking now for a economical vacation that I can pay out of pocket. If you need to charge, maybe charge the most least expensive thing if possible. Example- Car rental and few tours. Something that won't hike up the card.

I must admit, I'm not rich nor not poor. I'm blessed to have my health and not be in tons of debt. I have in the past charged some vacations, especially those last minute deals that you simply can't pass up. I understand the temptation in using those charge cards. I'm looking now for a economical vacation that I can pay out of pocket. If you need to charge, maybe charge the most least expensive thing if possible. Example- Car rental and few tours. Something that won't hike up the card.

Responding to those who commented on my "rent expense" - <BR><BR>Yes, it is generally more financially sound to own rather than rent...but I didn't mention I have a well-below-market rent-stabilized apartment (yep, I'm one of those lucky NYers). My BF and I share the place, which makes it very affordable. We've looked into buying, and with a financial advisor found that it would cost us a lot more, even w/the tax breaks, b/c of the high maintenance cost of apartments in NY. We're talking $1200+ a month on TOP of the mortgage payment. ACK! Thus, we're staying put.<BR><BR>(sorry if this is too much information)

You go Suzanne. That's awesome!!! Some of us aren't that lucky I guess. I still say it's a lot of sacrifice and effort. Like me I live somewhere where you need a car. I'm unable to go without a car.<BR>Plus some other expenses- Home etc..

Suzanne, did your financial advisor factor-in the equity you'd be building in a condo or coop, which would appreciate significantly every year? Sure, the monthly costs might be higher, but when the time comes to relocate, as an owner you'd have a bunch of equity, whereas as a rented you have a bunch of cancelled checks.

I just don't understand why people have to spend so much on vacations. I went to Florida twice and stayed north of Ft. Lauderdale, I paid $59 a night for a week at the Coral Key Inn that had a full kitchen and clean room in general and the airfare was around $190. I really enjoyed myself and spent only $300 during the week. Those 2 trips cost me about $1,500 total.

Am fortunate to have the money in the bank. And that is the result of being very conservative and healthy. How it usually works is that airline tickets are charged and the bill paid before we leave. Almost all other expenses are charged, then paid in full when due.<BR><BR>This is sort of related to how I do my Christmas shopping. I don't spend a lot, but buy things from late September till mid-December. I pay all credit bills in full each month, but by shopping over a few months, I don't feel any pinch.<BR>

Being indebt soon after college and having those nasty student loan payments every month when I was making a low hourly wage, I don't have any trouble at all paying off credit bills every month. <BR><BR>I put some things on credit when I vacation but nothing I can't pay of in a month 2 months tops.<BR><BR>Travel is one of the most important things in my life. I have always found a way to do. I might be staying in a $3 a night hotel room in Egypt but I am still there. I can eat rice and beans for a month and then take off for a month with the savings. So Yes I save don't find the joy in coming back to a mountain of debt.

That is I save and I travel with in my means

In the military, so flights are free on military planes if there is room. Great way to travel, I go to Europe about 4 times a year. Stay in 1 and 2 star hotels or military clubs, use public transport, do my research. I don't make that much money, I put all the travel stuff on a credit card and pay it off every month.

We recently took a trip to Paris. Bought the plane tickets on the www about 6 months ahead (about $1000 for the two of us). We were able to absorb the cost in that amount of time pretty easily (and we'd been saving). The hotel for 10 days came to about $780 (for 9 nights). Again, we charged, but paid it off right away.<BR><BR>If you're charging then paying it off, you'll be adding significant costs to your trip. And delaying your next trip even further. Imho, bite the bullet and save the money beforehand. Even if you put so many dollars in a box every day, lol.<BR><BR>I live in NYC too, and saving for a downpayment can take a real commitment, though property values in some neighborhoods can jump significantly in a short period of time. Studio apartments, even outside of Manhattan, can go for $100,000 to $150,000.<BR><BR>Because we don't need a car, and because our apartment is ownded by my bf's family, we're able to hold onto more of our money.<BR><BR>Planning a vacation carefully can help reduce travel costs and can help you create an experience where you're satisfied you spent your dollars the way you want to.

Ditto on down payments I still don't own yet. I could afford Brooklyn but I would be miserable there, have done it before. I rent in Manhattan.<BR><BR>For those of you casting stones at renters, we are now facing the toughest job market in NYC in 30 years. Those of us not wanting to jump into debt when we don't know weather or not we will still have our jobs in a year are acting prudently. Spending a few thousand is much different than putting down 30 thousand.

Did I say $30,000 for Manhattan it is more like $65,000.

Studio Apartments in my building in the 80's near York are small not even 200sq feet, they sold for $170,000 last March a steal in Manhattan. That is one room and you can almost hear a pin drop from the apartment above you.

Come on people. You all must be paid.<BR>It seems a lot of you may must make that big salary to travel to Europe, caribbean 2+ times a year. There's no way I can do that expense. It's all about the salary. Someone earning for example $10-12hr, can't afford to go to Europe, Hawaii, Islands, twice or more a year. Lets be real here!!

You don't have to make a "big salary" , whatever that is, to go on vacation. There are lots of deals out there. It cost us $800 to go to Spain last May including flight, transportation, hotels (2-3 stars), and admissions. You can find deals to Mexico for $600 dollars for the whole week in an AI resort on travelzoo.com for example. You just have to do some research.

Our travel has been greatly improved since the advent of the internet. I get a lot of "hot deals" e-mailed to me. We keep a mental list of the places we'd like to visit, and when a deal comes along to one of those places and it coincides with our vacation time, we jump on it. I flew $199 roundtrip from New York to Brussels a few years ago. Last weekend I visited a friend outside of Philly for $129 RT from Detroit. The best steal so far has been a 13 day luxury cruise (balcony cabin) of the Mediterranean with 3 day, five star hotel stays in Athens and Istanbul, for $1199 per person (including airfare from New York to Athens). Never carry cash - I charge EVERYTHING on my FF Miles Visa (we pay it off each month), so we are flying free to Hawaii in September. Until then we will bank as much money as we can, charge accomodations, food, car, etc. to our VISA and pay it off when we get home. That way we will get miles for our trip expenses as well. I admit, it does take some discipline to charge everything, because there is a tendency to spend more when you are not paying cash, so be careful!

Wow great tips!! Good subject!<BR>I'm searching for a awesome deal for the Fall. Looking into October. Would love to go somewhere nice & romantic without an expensive price. I'll have to start searching more travel sites.

My husband and I take two to four trips per year, plus I do a yearly trip with a friend and he does some solo ski trips. We are not wealthy but I LOVE to plan so I spend lots of time online looking for the best deal. <BR>My strategy is to pay for as much as possible (on credit cards, with ver low rates) BEFORE the trip, the earlier the better (as long as we can get a good deal); then we pay it off before we leave for the trip. I hate credit card debt so as long as I have 30-60 days before we leave, I pay it all off.

I'm real curious. What is the aveage price you all pay for a vacation. The fact you all pay them off so fast is amazing! As much credit card debt America is in, I can't believe everyone pays off these extravagant vacations before they leave.

I have to be the one to admit it helps that we earn a decent living, have no kids, mortgage paid off. We take 2-3 trips/year. Normally, we live below our means--I don't shop at Saks (but could), I shop outlets and TJ Maxx, we don't eat out extravagantly, and even when we do travel, we search for deals on hotels, and may pick "one or two" really nice places to stay, but the rest of the time, we just make sure it's a 3*** Holiday Inn, etc., etc. While on vacation, we may eat breakfast at the hotel (esp. where it's included--and we try to get it included when we book), may eat lunch on the road (last trip, we stopped at WalMart, bought a cooler, drinks, snacks, bread, PB&J, etc. for the car) and ate dinners out--most average priced. We could afford to do more, but we live more down to earth. We charge everything to credit cards--absolutely everything, and pay off the bills at the end of the month. I've been at the other end when the money wasn't there, and basically if you wanted to take a trip, you charged it and paid the penalty later.

We have money taken out of the paychecks every month and put in a savings account for travel. We also usually put any bonuses in the same account. <BR><BR>We try to save enough for one big family vacation and several long weekend trips per year. We don't normally charge anything; however, we will charge it if something unexpected comes up - for example, if my husband travels somewhere interesting on business and I have a chance to meet him there.