How much $ for vacations?

[2 lil'princesses]

I know that everyone spends different amounts on vacations depending on how much money they make and how much they value vacations. My problem is is that I'm married to someone who, at first, said he loved going on vacations but after having 2 kids, he would much rather stay at home and relax by our pool. I, on the other hand, love traveling so now it is trying to come up with a reasonable amount to spend on what I love. For a little background, we both have good stable jobs, we put a good amount into our 401K's, have no credit card debt, and almost have our last car paid off. We are able to put about $1500 or so in savings a month. How much do you think I should have to spend on vacations? I don't need a big one every year (and by big I'm talking about a week long vacation) but at least every other. Thanks for any input!

 

[An_Island_Girl]

It really depends on how you like to vacation. If you are a "pull out all the stops" kid of person (I'm guilty of this), then your budget will be much more than those that see a hotel room as only a place to sleep.
Our travel budget per year is around 20K, but only a part of that is Disney. This upcoming trip for 2adults and 1 child is costing us around 6K for one week at the Poly with hoppers and Deluxe Dining. We have friends that prefer to stay at the Value resorts and make 3 smaller trips a year, don't park hop, don't get the dining plan... everyone does it different, and there is no "right way" at all. What ever works best for your family will be a wonderful vacation I'm sure!

 

[jayally]

I always seem to spend between $5000-$6000 for a vacation for 1 adult and 2 teens. We have gone to WDW the last 2 trips and the budget includes airfare from CA, souvies, park tickets, food, hotel, rental car, 3 or 4 day cruise, parking, incidentals etc. I bargain shop and don't stay in top hotels. I use priceline for some things, find the cheapest airfare, best car rental codes and research the best deals. We dont go all out but we have a great time. I spend about 1yr saving for the trips so I don't have to use my credit cards. If I did that we would travel a lot more but probably enjoy it less knowing I was going to have to pay for it later.

 

[lisaross]

When our kids were young we did long weekends as it was just easier - when my boys were 4 and 6 we took our first "real" big v acation with them to disney - prob ably spent about 4000.00. The following year we went more local and probably spent a couple of thousand then the next summer i think we did a couple of long weekends then when they were 7 and 9 we did another big trip to disney...this year we'll be spending about 2500 on a week long trip but driving - i'm saving next year for another "b ig" trip on a cruise.

If u like vacations and he does not, why not switch each year - u pick 1 year and he picks the next...

 

[Tink9295]

Like you, I too have a DH that does not want to go on vacation. My 2 kids love vacations. I really need to take a vacation or two a year. I call it my sanity check.

We go to Disney about once a year. We use our timeshare that is in Mexico and trade it around the US.

I am always looking for the "best deal" out there and have found that by doing it all separately saves me money. I use discounts for car rentals and hotels or I use my hotel points my husband gets traveling through work. I buy my park tickets for 10 days and try to stretch it out for 3 trips. Sometimes we drive, sometimes we fly. I try to use frequent flyer miles whenever possible. I only use credit cards that earn points or miles. I spend lots of time searching on the computer for discounts.

How much varies. Sometimes we go to Disney for a few hundred dollars. Sometimes it's about $1000.00 to $1,500.00. Depends on if I need tickets. The rest I get gift cards for with points, or hotel rewards. Other vacations can be around $1,000.00 if I use points, miles and my timeshare.

He complains until he gets there but he always has a good time and I often hear him telling friends about the deals I find.

So hang in there and be pushy about taking that vacation you deserve.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

I tend to take 10% of any monies that go into our bank account and transfer it to our travel savings account. We like to do one family vacation a year and a adult one as well. Sometimes we have skipped them and then we do a larger vacation. We have done 3 weeks in CA and recently did 24 days in Florida and loved it. This year we are hoping to do a 10 day all inclusive in Mexico or Turks & Caicos with the family and then for the adult one we may just do 4-5 days in vegas or what ever there is a great deal on at the time. I love to plan our vacations on the last minute deals and feel like i got lots of bang for my buck I am also going to NY this year for a girls trip for 8 days......

There are so many places and things to do, i wish i had more than one life here on earth

 

[2 lil'princesses]

Thank you, I think that me wanting to spend around $5000 every other year isn't really unreasonable, then. We have only been on 2 "big" trips in the 9 years we have been together. Once to Jamaica to get married and last year to WDW with our two daughters. I only spent $2500 for the vacation and stayed at POP. It was great but I would like to start taking more vacations and upgrade once in a while. I would love to stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge next time. My husband thinks it is absurb to spend this amount of money on vacations but since I make the same as him and he knew I loved to travel, I didn't think I was asking for too much. I also cut coupons, clearance shop, and so much more in order for us to save money. He also got his dream, an inground pool but since we both use it, I'm not allowed to "throw this in his face." Hoping I can convince him that this amount of money isn't really crazy!

 

[Priorityonecb]

We do one big, expensive trip a year. Then, we do several (I'd say 4-6) weekend or four day weekends per year. I would say we spend about $4,000 a year in vacationing.

 

[RDM83]

I also LOVE VACATIONS!!! Although our family has gotten larger in very little time (we have 3 kids, have been married for 6 yrs) vacation is not exactly a priority for my husband, but I definitely NEED one once in a while! I have started putting away $100 a week and by the end of the yr. I have about $5000 to spend on this. I also do little things here and there like when i go shopping for basic things like groceries @ target i throw in a little bathing suit for my daughter ; little by little i have my vacation necessities. I definitely think that a family budget should include vacation time or expenses; at least a small one

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[dd50]

I think that everyone deserves a vacation if they can afford it. We spend about $2,500 for vacation. We didn't go for years because I couldn't afford it but it does make you feel better with one. Years ago we even use to go away for a long weekend and that was a nice get away.

This year and last year we are going to Disney and next year I want to save to go to CA. I think when you save a little each month it isn't as bad as having to take it out of savings.

 

[girlandboy]

I love vacations. Usually We do a big trip a year.

 

[scotton]

Okay, I can't imagine spending more than $2,000 total for a vacation. Anything more than that to me just seems wasteful. I would rather take that extra money and put it in the kid's 529 accounts than blow it on a vacation.

We went to DisneyWorld for 3 days and Seaworld for 2 days and spent right around $2,000. We got a great deal on tickets, my Mom used her frequent flyer miles to pay for our plane tickets and we own a timeshare at WestGate Lakes so that only costs us $872.00 for our annual maintenance fee.

I would love to stay on sight next time but I've got to figure out how we can afford to do so where it doesn't break the bank. I just don't understand spending $6,000+ on a vacation. And we did character dining with the princesses in Norway, Cinderella and the Prince at the 1900 restaurant (the Prince danced with our oldest Daughter! She was thrilled!)

I think $2,000 is a good number but that's just me being cheap.

Good Luck and Have a great trip,

Sarah

 

[momof3Disneykids]

Wow! Im amazed that one of the yearly vacation budgets listed is only slightly less than our yearly income!! in the past we have used our tax returns for paying off bills and debts, well this year we are finally debt free and are spending part of our return on Disney world, we are doing 7 nights for $4,000.00 and its everyones first trip.the actual trip cost is 2500 but we added 1500 extra for spending money. our "big trip" has always been Branson MO. only 3 hours away, for 3-4 nights it runs us about 800-1000 It will probably be a few years before we get to go back to Disney World

 

[DISdreamin']

Okay, I can't imagine spending more than $2,000 total for a vacation. Anything more than that to me just seems wasteful. I would rather take that extra money and put it in the kid's 529 accounts than blow it on a vacation.

We went to DisneyWorld for 3 days and Seaworld for 2 days and spent right around $2,000. We got a great deal on tickets, my Mom used her frequent flyer miles to pay for our plane tickets and we own a timeshare at WestGate Lakes so that only costs us $872.00 for our annual maintenance fee.

I would love to stay on sight next time but I've got to figure out how we can afford to do so where it doesn't break the bank. I just don't understand spending $6,000+ on a vacation. And we did character dining with the princesses in Norway, Cinderella and the Prince at the 1900 restaurant (the Prince danced with our oldest Daughter! She was thrilled!)

I think $2,000 is a good number but that's just me being cheap.

Good Luck and Have a great trip,

Sarah

Not to be snotty, but....

First, obviously not everyone has a parent who can/will pony up frequent flyer miles to cover airfare. From here to Disney, we would likely spend $1000+ on airfare. So that sort of blows the idea of a $2K budget if you actually want a hotel, food and park tickets for more than a couple days.

Secondly, a timeshare? In your post, you didn't mention what this cost you up front, besides the maintenance fees. Unless it was a gift, if you figure out, per year, what you spent for your timeshare - plus the $872 maintenance fee - I'll bet that blows your $2K annual budget unless you've owned the timeshare for a really long time. Yes, in the long run it might be cheaper, but you need to think of all the costs associated when figuring out what your trip really cost. If you paid for that timeshare, it was an expense.

Obviously, also, everyone has a different budget. What each person spends is up to them entirely. It's really not for us to judge. The irony of all of this is that my trip-cost comfort zone is very much like yours! For our one Disney trip, including spending money, airfare (used FF miles for part), park hopper tix, moderate hotel (POR) and dining plan, we spent about $2300 for six days for a family of four.

 

[taximomfor4]

Okay, I can't imagine spending more than $2,000 total for a vacation. Anything more than that to me just seems wasteful. I would rather take that extra money and put it in the kid's 529 accounts than blow it on a vacation.

We went to DisneyWorld for 3 days and Seaworld for 2 days and spent right around $2,000. We got a great deal on tickets, my Mom used her frequent flyer miles to pay for our plane tickets and we own a timeshare at WestGate Lakes so that only costs us $872.00 for our annual maintenance fee.

I would love to stay on sight next time but I've got to figure out how we can afford to do so where it doesn't break the bank. I just don't understand spending $6,000+ on a vacation. And we did character dining with the princesses in Norway, Cinderella and the Prince at the 1900 restaurant (the Prince danced with our oldest Daughter! She was thrilled!)

I think $2,000 is a good number but that's just me being cheap.

Good Luck and Have a great trip,

Sarah

I would agree with you, but many of us don't have anyone to get our airline tickets with points, nor own a timeshare. ALL of our vacation has to be paid for in cash.

Another way to look at it -- we don't have maintenance fees (no timeshare) so your figure of $2000, plus your $872, = $2872. On the years we take a vacation, we average right around that amount. Some years a little less, some a little more. Another factor is that we have 4 kids. A vacation ANYWHERE is hard to accomplish for under $2000 with a family of 6.

All of it is relative, though. If we made double the money (6 figures in other words) per year, maybe spending double our budget would feel the same as what we spend on our current income.

If we can do a $2500 vacation without it killing our budget completely, someone who makes, say, $400,000/year probably can spend more and have it not hurt.

 

[WDmommyof4]

We usually got to Disney World once a year. I have four boys and I have never taken them more than once. One time I took three and my boyfriend, but normally I do two at a time. With that said, we always stay on site and have ordered the deluxe dining plan for the last two years and the regular one the year before that when appies and tip were included.

It has always cost us $2000 or less to go and we normally are there 5-7 days. We do have annual passes though and I stagger them so I am only buying 2-3 at any one time instead of all 5 or 6 at once. We always stay value because it is just a bed to us, but we enjoy splurging on the food. We already have most souvies from years past that we take with us each year (hats, light up toys etc.) and I purchase pins really cheap on Ebay before we leave. I also make our shirts, so our budget for souvies is pretty low.

This year is the first year I am taking all my boys at once and my mom as well. It is going to cost about $3500 for 6 nights with deluxe dining, a family suite, tips, spending money, gas, and passes for my mom and two youngest. I agree that it is different for everyone. This is normally our only trip of the year so we do not mind spending a little more. If someone can afford a $6,000 vacation to Disney I saw more power to them, every one has to do what is a good fit for themselves.

 

[DISdreamin']

All of it is relative, though. If we made double the money (6 figures in other words) per year, maybe spending double our budget would feel the same as what we spend on our current income.

If we can do a $2500 vacation without it killing our budget completely, someone who makes, say, $400,000/year probably can spend more and have it not hurt.

Sometimes I think the most realistic way to look at my vacation budget is as a percentage of income/take home pay. For example, if my vacation budget is 2 or 3, or even 5% of our net, that seems like it would be reasonable to me. I can't see spending 10% of our budget on it, though.

Currently I have $150 per biweekly pay period put into a vacation savings account, which gives us about $4K per year. We don't spend it on one big trip, but we use it to buy plane tix to visit in-laws, do a couple small getaways, etc. We've only taken one real vacation to date, which was our Disney trip last year. I'm currently mulling over Turks & Caicos, Atlantis, Disney, Cape Cod, or a cruise for our next true vacation. Totally dream shopping here.

So, to the OP, maybe what you do is come up with an amount/percentage of your income that you and DH are comfortable with. Then maybe you split it - put half in a vacation account and half into an "other" account. You're in charge of vaca planning, DH gets to choose what to do for your family with the other portion. If you did it that way, it isn't as if you're the sole one in charge of vaca/fun $. If he'd rather put in a hot tub for the family with his funds (or whatever), that's his call. I don't know if this would work, but maybe it's a thought?

 

[taitai]

There is no answer to this question. Everyone values different things differently. We spend a LOT on vacations both in real dollars and as a percentage of income. However, that is what we value most...travel. Now, other people value other things more. We don't have any electronics (wii, Xbox, etc.), expensive cars, private school or a boat or a cabin (VERY common in Minnesota). Those are not things we value. Others spend a lot of money on electronics or entertainment or clothes or whatever. Everyone values things differently.

 

[iwrbnd]

Wow! Im amazed that one of the yearly vacation budgets listed is only slightly less than our yearly income!! in the past we have used our tax returns for paying off bills and debts, well this year we are finally debt free and are spending part of our return on Disney world, we are doing 7 nights for $4,000.00 and its everyones first trip.the actual trip cost is 2500 but we added 1500 extra for spending money. our "big trip" has always been Branson MO. only 3 hours away, for 3-4 nights it runs us about 800-1000 It will probably be a few years before we get to go back to Disney World

Branson is 3 hours away from us too! I swear, though, that our Branson trips are as expensive at Disney! We have 4 kids and by the time we pay tickets for each attraction, show, museum, go-cart ride, etc... I prefer Disney!

 

[ceecee]

It doesn't matter how much you plan to spend if your DH is not into vacations! The hard part would be to find something he would like to do.