If you do take a vacation this year with the economy hurting, have you made plans that might differ from other years? Where do you plan on going and what will you be doing if you take a vacation?
If you have toned it down, in what ways?
I have saved all of my change for a year, and there is enough for one short weekend away at a favorite quiet beach town on Lake Michigan. I used to love to take a week to ten days and travel to other states to vacation, but with money tight and gas prices so high, the tiny one will be a fine alternative.
Karen
[question posted by PeacefulWmn9]
responses and comments:
I think, vacations are important and we must take it of we have been every year. I feel, even just a simple vacation in the outskirts which does not demand much money and expense does wonders! That was we must all plan our vacations. I will try to keep it simple as well. I would probably end up in my sister's place in Dubai and guess what that would be low expense since I do not have to bear hotel and gas expenses. And also the joy to meet my nieces and nephew would be out of the world! Lake Michigan sounds wonderful! The similar kind of quietness is something i was looking for but may be later this year. Enjoy your trip. happy [mimpi1911]
You are right about the importance of vacations. Even a small distance away gives one a needed change of scenery and pace. I hope you have a wonderful time with your sister and her children : ) Happy vacationing! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
For now,I would rather shop than go on a vacation.I still prefer shopping because it is less costly than going on a vacation.I would like to travel, but I don't have the "budget" right now.I would rather shop for vintage clothes,at least I get to have something useful. [my_name_is_coco]
You make a good point. In a way, perhaps shopping IS a form of getting away for you. Have a beautiful day. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
For the past sixteen years, I have been going on vacations twice a year almost without fail, be it in good or bad times, recession or otherwise. My wife and I usually budget for them at the start of the year and know that we have the resources to go on vacations. The only major consideration is when times are not so good, we scale down our vacation budget but we still take a break overseas. We just go on shorter breaks or to nearby places like a neighboring country. Vacations give us a chance to take a break and recharge, and they do not necessarily have to be expensive affairs. We can still go to a beach resort and spend three nights there, spend reasonably and still have a great and memorable time. [lexus54]
Thank you for your vote, Karen. Yes, I practice conscious planning and budgeting, taking the economic situation and all other priorities into consideration when doing so. If my budgeting allows me to set aside money for a vacation during the year, I know I can afford to embark on one when the time comes. [lexus54]
Hi Karen...The only thing I have planned is to go to my sisters which is about 3 house away so we can have our annual get together. We try to get together , all of us at least one weekend in the summer to visit and catch up on family news. As we are all getting up there in years we never know if all of us will make it the following year. So this is important that I do this at least. That will be my only time away from home as my husband and I are on a fixed income and I have tried to save a little each month since last summer to be able to go on my visit this summer. Gas prices seem to be going up higher each day and I don't understand why they can sell it so cheap in the winter and then jack the price up higher in the summer. You would think they would want to keep the prices down in the summer so people would be able to buy more gas and do more things. What do you think of them raising the price of gas again? flutterby [flutterbykisses]
You are right...they have by the throat, because people do have obligations that require driving and paying their prices. The one time they did come down was when people began buying and driving scooters here back and forth to work in decent weather, and when the country in general drove only when absolutely necessary. That gave them no alternative but to lower them. But now, summer is on, so back up they go. [PeacefulWmn9]
I took a trip last summer to the Baltic countries and as such a very keen traveler I had another trip as soon as I could afford to. At the end of last year a few airlines stopped trading due to the recession. Therefore when I booked my flight to South Africa for January this year I got high cover travel insurance. I took my toddler son on the 12 hour flight to Cape Town. It was summer time then so we enjoyed sunny weather. It was a fantastic city and the Garden Route was incredibly picturesque. Travel is my top hobby and I don't think I would be able to cut back on it. Even when I had very little of money I got a budget flight to Italy and traveled by bus with my tent down to Croatia. I managed to pop down to Montenegro and up to Slovenia. [maximax8]
I commend you on finding ways to keep this love of travel in your budget. Even in hard times, it is important to pursue those things we love. You've been many places! And each new place is always an education, like entering a whole different world. : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
It is very good question. I have not yet planned. Probably, I will not travel this year. Have a good travel. [aminul8427]
Well, this is a bit complex to say, because sincerely is a bit hard to take a vacation with this crisis but I think is good to do it too because everyone need take a rest, at least a few days and when somebody wants to enjoy good moments so let's do it, there are a lot of good places in any city or State and very cheap too. [alexcesortiz]
You are right! Some expert studies show that the health suffers for those who do not take regular vacations or get-aways of some kind. Even in a poor economy, if one can possibly scrape up the money, it is well spent. Thank you for you input. [PeacefulWmn9]
surely yes, coz in this hectic work environment every person needs to have some rest and that is why we need vacation, it has nothing to do with recession and all [mohansivaram]
So true. Rest and time away from ones hectic everyday environment is very important, even from the standpoint of maintaining good health. Thank you for commenting. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
We're attending a yearly town fiesta at our province and this serves as our vacation of five days. After the fiesta. Here we visit relatives and friends. We go swimming, go upon invitation of relatives to eat with them as they prepared delicious foods. Go hiking, harvest fruits and vegetables and go dancing and singing along with friends. This time will cut our vacation for three days instead. [bing28]
This sounds like a very joyful time. I am glad you're still going, even though for a shorter time. These things are important to our well-being. Thank you for responding to the question, and have a great day! Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I guess I'll still be having a vacation this year. I will definitely save for it... Maybe it will be on December. By the way, my company will be having a summer party this sunday and im excited for it. [calyxus]
I've had to save for my little get-away too. I think its nice when work places have parties...a good break for everyone. Enjoy that party :) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
We were planning to go for vacation to a location outside the country, but due to the economy, which has also hit us (sallary reduced, thank God at least did not lose job), we plan to postpone the vacation to next year, and that too within the country. So yes it has hit us big time, and my kids are not very happy about it! [Nightrocker]
I really feel for you taking such a hit due to the economy, but I am happy you do still have a job! And yes, kids get disappointed. When time were tight, I used to substitute when a vacation wasn't possible by taking mine to the zoos or beaches for a "day trip." A little mini vacation. Keep your spirits up, and thank your for responding : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
Most definelty now is the best time to have a holiday companies cannot sell holidays I have booked a week off in July and I will grab a last minute bargain mgraham126 [mgraham126]
That is a great idea, catching the last minute bargains :) Thank you for responding and adding that idea. Have a happy day. Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
We do have a trip down to Florida planned for October. That's a for sure thing. We will be driving down instead of flying because that's save us money on plane tickets and car rental. We have a timeshare, so that we don't have to worry about paying for a hotel. We had bought an annual park pass for Disney last year that's still valid, so that's covered. So right now all we are thinking about is gas money and food. I wanted to take a short trip up to the Wisconsin Dells, but that's always an expensive treat. So I don't think that will be happening. I just plan on working as much as I can and saving for the October trip. [uicbear]
The Dells are beautiful, but I live in MI, so not so far away. I think it's great that you've covered the bases and still get to go to FL. I hope you have a happy summer : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]
I'm lucky, as both my partner and myself have kept our jobs, so while we a struggling slightly, we are both extremley aware that our situation is much better than many others. We also both agree that it's important to make time to get away, we are still going to go on holiday later this year. The only thing we've done differently is really shopped around for prices, and paid for things at different times, rather than paying for everything all at once. [kriszelunka]
Kudos to your and your husband for being compassionate with those out of work. It is heartening to hear, though, that not everyone has lost work in their household. And yes, the economy has effected the working, too. I am happy you will be going on vacation. It is so important to get away from things on a regular basis. Thank you for taking part in the discussion : ) Karen [PeacefulWmn9]