How do you fight the desire to travel when you should be saving?

[CAFarmerGirl]

I know lots of people that get to travel for fun more at least 3 times a year. I just counted my vacations last year and there were 7 of them (whew, sounds like a lot when you say it out loud lol) We have the money, bills get paid and we like to travel lol.

Same for us, travel is our priority with our free money. We don't have a car payment, but we have a Disney payment. We also make it a priority to provide a real life eduction for our children. So, that means lots of national and state park visits, traveling to other states, and eventually to other countries.

 

[DisneyEater]

If I had my way, I'd live in a shack and divert the rest of my funds to travel as much as possible. Unfortunately, my wife and kids don't share that view, so I have to figure out another way.

Money is pretty tight for us and we don't have a great savings account built up. We don't live above our means, but we don't live below our means either, which limits what we save. Not wanting to divert any money from my paycheck to travel because of that, I find another way.

Loyalty and reward programs, credit card rewards, small online money makers (i.e. swagbucks). I don't get a ton, but I can pull together enough for a free vacation once a year if I plan it well, especially if that vacation doesn't have the price of theme park tickets attached.

 

[Gracomom]

I feel ya! I've been sleeping, eating, daydreaming, everything Disney! I need to get off the computer. It's been 2 years since we went to Disneyland, and never been to Disneyworld, so I've been trying to convince my husband. Who thinks replacing our 15 year old furnace is higher on the priority list.....yeah I suppose....

I find that if I don't have a vacation within the works, like a definite date and the time booked off work, then it seems like an idea so far off, and I need something now! We're saving up to bring our 3 kids (or maybe 4 by the time we get there) as well as DH and myself and my FIL to Disneyworld for our 10th anniversary in 3 years, with flights from western Canada, so it's going to be pricey. I've been filling my days daydreaming and dream-planning this 3-year-away holiday, which makes me want one now even more.

So instead I'm going to try concentrating on our more-likely-to-happen-sooner idea of driving to Vancouver and road tripping with the kids this fall. Not nearly as exciting as Disney, but hopefully it'll keep that little pile growing for our Disney fund from being spent on a less expensive vacation, like Disneyland or Mexico, which we seem to do once every year or so, instead of saving for the bigger vacation we really want.

 

[hsmamato2]

I think what I meant to say was.... I too travel 4-6 times per year (big and little stuff) and I always have something in the 'planning works'...and I think OP does also....she just got back from a trip,and is currently planning 2 more.... KWIM? Not knocking anyone elses priorities,etc....just a thought.... my concept of 'not being able to vacation' is not having anything planned,or on the calendar.....I guess I was thinking the only way to avoid what Op was asking was to continuously plan new trips,even while you're still on vacation....I love to travel, but I also love some hometime.....FWIW, lots of my friends think I 'travel too much' and Im a bit crazy.....

 

[hsmamato2]

also, BTW OP....nice 'quick getaway' planning! sounds like you will all have some fun for not too much $$$

 

[AquaDame]

I think a lot of people are/were ignoring the 'lack of vacation money" clause!

If we don't have the money we don't go.... I'm in control of our finances, so I really have a good grip on if we can or not. To fight the blues, I would focus on the two trips I CAN afford, and tend to go more into planning mode in my life when/if I get the blues. I start planning meals more, pick up new small projects around the house, start exercising more, that sort of thing. Keeping busy keeps me from focusing on wanting to get away!

 

[mtchurchmonica]

This is a great thread. I'm really enjoying reading what people who think like me and who don't think like me have to say about the subject.

In our family, whether we travel or not is up to me. Dh is generally up to whatever I want to do and has never said no to my suggestions. (Example: Our first cruise. My idea) Even when it meant I wanted to travel alone or with one or any of the kids while he stayed home to work, he's agreed to it. Having a spouse who will not tell me"no" puts a dangerous amount of power to be reckless in my hands. I guess one of the reasons he married me is because I'm not subject to whims or to abusing his trust or generosity.

That being said, nothing-not food, books, wine, furniture, clothes, hobbies, etc.- tempts me like the opportunity to travel. I'm definitely in the camp of "out of sight, out of mind". Groupons are the worst. Those gorgeous pictures and cut-rate deals make me want to run for my credit card. So do the cruise sale brochures that come in the mail. Anymore, I delete the unopened emails and drop the brochures in the recycling bin near the mail box.

For me, the most effective way to keep the urge at bay is planning a trip that's a long way off. What also takes the edge off is the fact that dh and I agree that all vacations are actually paid for before we take them. Charging a trip on a credit card that we will be paying off for months or years after the fact is not an option. I can't enjoy what I can't afford. It's just the way I was raised.