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I quit doing vacations b/c it turned into me footing all the cost to sit at a relative's dinner table and listen to them complain about pointless stupidity.
I could have been in my apartment watching TV or Nature instead but noooooo........I allowed myself to get talked into a soul sucking visit with the Dysfunctional Fam.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,694 posts, read 58,004,579 times
Reputation: 46171
Quote:
Originally Posted by Durpie22
I'm a single person and it can be around $2,000 for me to take a 5-7 day vacation. ... I get to enjoy that purchase for a long time.
Memories from travel can last a lifetime, as well as the great friends you meet. (irreplaceable relationships)
This is a frugal forum, so change your vacation tastes. (learn to travel (well) on a budget)
We (couple) travel over 50% of the time and seldom costs over $100 / day for (2). Our 1 yr Round-the-world was under $40k, about the same cost as staying home. That included everything, including food, lodging, ships, air and very expensive campervan rentals.
As a single, I would throw a backpack on my $400 motorcycle and head out for very cheap. 50 mpg.
My current road trip station wagon today gets 52mpg and uses free fuel (and can go 1200 miles per fill). Big enough to sleep in, and it has a hot water heater and shower attachment.
Been on over 20 flights so far this yr, especially during Jan 4-Mar 4 -- $29 fare sale for CA, NV, AZ. Some places there is no need for a rental car. (San Diego, Las Vegas, LA, SF, PHX, Tucson)
We have used guest homes for 30 yrs. $20/ night worldwide (often free). Memories are treasures.
Consider a volunteer vacation, you will meet some amazing people! (Probably free room and board), we do that frequently with an international group of schools. (free room and board for a few hours technical tasks) We've stayed 6 months at some locations. Made great friends. (more places to visit and stay around the world) https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/mean...teer-vacations https://www.volunteerhq.org/blog/ine...ations-abroad/
Taking an overseas work assignment is a way to travel and get paid for it! (net financial gain) BTDT for 30+ yrs
Traveling north to Knoxville area, we got to see what most people do when they think of vacation. Starting at Gatlinburg and through Pigeon Forge, the road was more like Coney Island and designed to suck money.
I've lived in Tennessee for over 30 years and have never visited That area of Tennessee; from everything I've heard it is just a tourist trap.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,694 posts, read 58,004,579 times
Reputation: 46171
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wartrace
I've lived in Tennessee for over 30 years and have never visited That area of Tennessee; from everything I've heard it is just a tourist trap.
as a retiree... I want to get a job at Dollywood (tram driver, gardener?)
Free college! Food discounts
I really love the nearby regions of the Smokies NP.
Seems like it would be an interesting and delightful 'sub-chapter' to add to my life's novel.
I think I could find a hollow log to live in, back in the forest (chase the bears out).
I'm a single person and it can be around $2,000 for me to take a 5-7 day vacation. I feel like there's so many other things I could spend that money on for what is just a weeks trip. Basically after its over you are left with nothing. But lets say I spend that money on something physical like new flooring or whatever, I get to enjoy that purchase for a long time.
I have been saying that for years. Now if you have someone to split the cost then it's worth it as long as it's still not to expensive. You have memories, time away from everyday routine. It's fun with someone you know you will marry for a while before children come. But soon after about 2 years it's best to do what you said and what I said too. I have family and friends with large homes, nice new cars, even one of those RV's and big pools even a maid. Now with all that why go away except maybe the shore which to me is not so good anymore but Disney is fun with children the right age. Even that is not so much fun anymore and insanely expensive.
Me A maid once every 2 weeks, nice furniture, new stuff in the home like you said new floor, painting. Nicer clothes and if you have a yard a barbecue with family/friends once in a while. You don't have to be married to do that. Save up for a home of your own. I did I purchased one with another and then we split our ways now I live in a condo no barbecues of my own but I could live with that.
Location: By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea
68,329 posts, read 54,358,694 times
Reputation: 40731
Quote:
Originally Posted by Durpie22
I'm a single person and it can be around $2,000 for me to take a 5-7 day vacation. I feel like there's so many other things I could spend that money on for what is just a weeks trip. Basically after its over you are left with nothing. But lets say I spend that money on something physical like new flooring or whatever, I get to enjoy that purchase for a long time.
Nothing?
Hurricanes, tornadoes, fire, bad actors, etc., stuff can be gone in a heartbeat, memories and experiences will be with you for a long, long time.
It's a BIG world, for many, experiencing as much of it as possible is a life well spent.
Is canned albacore tuna worth more money than chunk light?
Is Coke worth more money than local brand name cola?
Is sitting in the orchestra section of the theater worth more money than the nose-bleed balcony?
Every spending opportunity is a decision of relative value to each person. Some people prefer to have a larger bank balance because they derive comfort from their perceived safety of a cash cushion.
Others prefer to have wonderful memories of experiences they have had with loved ones.
Money and cash have no intrinsic value; they derive their value by what the money can provide, be it an experience, material objects, or a larger bank balance.
Everyone places their own person value on all these choices.
if you think "taking a vacation" is something gainfully employed adults are supposed to do but you don't have any particular reason for doing it, sure, new flooring may feel like the better bargain. As others have already written, how much it would be worth to you will depend on the trip, the motivation for going, and how you plan the travel in order to reach it. Its more than days off work that's for sure!
Meh...Yes,I think vacations are overrated;specially the ones you take to be able to say to your co-workers that you've also been to Punta Cana...
I will never understand for someone who lives in Miami year-round why they have to go to places like Puerto Rico,Jamaica or the Dominican Republic...If I wanted to see darker people;heat and water...I'd rather stay in Miami and save the money or buy something I'd really appreciate.
Same thing for the ones who have to go on a cruise 3-4 times a year...
Even if it was given to me;what am I goinna do on a cruise ship ?..I don't like people...I don't drink...I have to watch what I eat..I'm too old and handicapped to play shuffleboard or any other activity that requires movement...and once I lose my money in the casino,I would want to throw myself overboard.
Seriously...actually travelling during a vacation would stress me out so much that when/if I'd get home..I would need another vacation just to be able to un-stress.
Meh...Yes,I think vacations are overrated;specially the ones you take to be able to say to your co-workers that you've also been to Punta Cana...
I will never understand for someone who lives in Miami year-round why they have to go to places like Puerto Rico,Jamaica or the Dominican Republic...If I wanted to see darker people;heat and water...I'd rather stay in Miami and save the money or buy something I'd really appreciate.
Same thing for the ones who have to go on a cruise 3-4 times a year...
Even if it was given to me;what am I goinna do on a cruise ship ?..I don't like people...I don't drink...I have to watch what I eat..I'm too old and handicapped to play shuffleboard or any other activity that requires movement...and once I lose my money in the casino,I would want to throw myself overboard.
Seriously...actually travelling during a vacation would stress me out so much that when/if I'd get home..I would need another vacation just to be able to un-stress.
Do you also yell STAY OFF MY GRASS to anyone who's around?
You all keep rocking in your chair. That's probably the best place for you.
Is there anything you enjoy?
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