Just thinking here.....
We usually take about 2 major trips per year, along with several weekend getaways, etc. This year we went to Disney in April, 5 nts, then a "biggie" to Hawaii--18 days! Well, the Hawaii trip was exceptional, we usually don't do trips to that extent, but hey--you only live once! Actually, the Hawaii trip was a budgeter's masterpiece--the whole trip came to right about $3000! That included everything--airfare, hotels, rent car, food, sightseeing, everything! We made good use of ff miles, AMEX reward miles, got great deals on accomodations, etc. However, even $3000 is a chunk of change.
Now we're looking at our budget, Braces, college savings, new car, all that is adding up so we decided no more traveling for at least a few years. Well, I'm going through "travel withdrawl". I never realized how much I enjoy not only traveling, but planning a trip. It was a sort of hobby of mine--researching a destination, ferreting out the best deals, reading up on the history (read Hawaii 3x's!). so now I'm at loose ends--I've lost my hobby!
Just wondering how many trips the rest of you take, about how much you spend, etc? Of course, we all have to plan around our own circumstances, not benchmark ourselves by others. Still, would like to know how we measure up. Maybe we could continue to travel, just keep costs down a little (well, I do that anyways!), or more frequent, shorter trips. I still feel the traveling is beneficial to my kids, opens up other worlds, broadens their horizions, all that good stuff. Also, we connect more as a family while on trips as opposed to just day-to-day routines. I can't see just never traveling again. We already put aside $500/month for college, which is not nearly enough for twins who will hit college, obviously, at the same time. Also, dd needs braces. Well, just rambling here, would like to know how often the rest of you travel, about how much you spend, etc.
We usually take about 2 major trips per year, along with several weekend getaways, etc. This year we went to Disney in April, 5 nts, then a "biggie" to Hawaii--18 days! Well, the Hawaii trip was exceptional, we usually don't do trips to that extent, but hey--you only live once! Actually, the Hawaii trip was a budgeter's masterpiece--the whole trip came to right about $3000! That included everything--airfare, hotels, rent car, food, sightseeing, everything! We made good use of ff miles, AMEX reward miles, got great deals on accomodations, etc. However, even $3000 is a chunk of change.
Now we're looking at our budget, Braces, college savings, new car, all that is adding up so we decided no more traveling for at least a few years. Well, I'm going through "travel withdrawl". I never realized how much I enjoy not only traveling, but planning a trip. It was a sort of hobby of mine--researching a destination, ferreting out the best deals, reading up on the history (read Hawaii 3x's!). so now I'm at loose ends--I've lost my hobby!
Just wondering how many trips the rest of you take, about how much you spend, etc? Of course, we all have to plan around our own circumstances, not benchmark ourselves by others. Still, would like to know how we measure up. Maybe we could continue to travel, just keep costs down a little (well, I do that anyways!), or more frequent, shorter trips. I still feel the traveling is beneficial to my kids, opens up other worlds, broadens their horizions, all that good stuff. Also, we connect more as a family while on trips as opposed to just day-to-day routines. I can't see just never traveling again. We already put aside $500/month for college, which is not nearly enough for twins who will hit college, obviously, at the same time. Also, dd needs braces. Well, just rambling here, would like to know how often the rest of you travel, about how much you spend, etc.
) and visiting family. My husband travels a lot for work, and very occasionally when he is out of town his schedule allows for a day off. I have joined him for our anniversary and when we only had one kiddo I took her to see Daddy in FL and Nashville. (much harder to do with two!) I agree that providing your children with experiences is more valuable than providing your children with stuff! Real life sometimes jumps in the way, though. We, too, have a new car and college plans and most likely braces coming our way. As for expenses, I realize that my kids don't give a hoot if we stay at a four star or a Motel 666 so we try to find something that will excite them without breaking the bank. My rule of thumb is that if I can't save for it or pay it off in three months, we won't do. Usually that means no more than $2000 to $3000 total for the big trips and $200-$500 for the weekenders.
Just to make it even better/worse (depending on how you look at it) the trips were only 6 months apart. 
Just have to not use those points in the meantime!
My family and I also take short weekend trips or during holiday breaks along the East Coast. WDW trips every so often or just to Florida to visit family.
I don't know what I will do. 
without trip planning.
disney every 3 years, Chicago every fall, and in the middle of winter travel for dd12 figure skating competition's.
