Anybody canceling vacation this year?

Worknprogress

Worknprogress

Cathlete
Due to the economy, this may be the first year our family does not take our usual summer vacation. We visit my family in Wisconsin and vacation on a lake with the rest of my siblings and all of our children, and our Dad. But with the cost of airfare, car rental (there are 5 of us and 2 are in carseats so we have to have our own vehicle while there), cottage rental, etc., it ends up being a $4500 - $5000 trip.

Although we have the money in savings, with DH in the mortgage business and me being a SAHM, I am hestitant to spend that money on vacation when we have other things this year we need to have money for. (Found out we need a new roof for one!) We have had to draw out of our savings a lot in the past year already just for living expenses.

However, I am 1000 miles away from my family and this is the only time I get to see them and my children have a blast when they are there.

I really want to go but no one knows what the next year will bring. I have to make a decision my April 1st to cancel the cottage.

Anybody else rethinking vacation this year?
 
Nope. Granted all I need for a vacation is a tent, some Allman Bros, and a sixpack of good beer or a bottle of wine and we are good to go and Woodstock is a short drive.
 
still taking ours.....
i'd rather pinch elsewhere.

can you drive to your vaca instead of flying/rental car?
 
We're still planning a vacation. We really need to have a get-away for our mental health...as nice as day trips can be, we don't get the real decompress and relax time that we both need.

That said, our vacation is pretty modest. We're renting a cottage in Maine for a week, which is within driving distance for us.
 
I think if you can swing it you should go. Never underestimate the importance of a family vacation (I haven't had one in 4 years so I am biased ;)). I agree that you should find other places where you can cut back, or drive instead of fly. If both you and your DH take turns driving it shouldn't be too taxing, and you can make the travel time a valuable part of the vacation! My best friend and her family always drive to their vacation destinations and they do this really cool thing -- they plot it out on a map and then choose historic sites and other interesting places to stop along the way! Maybe you can rent a nice roomy car or van -- it would still be cheaper than flying and afford you a little more comfort.

I believe with all of my heart that it's more important now than EVER to spend money whenever you can. We need to pump up our economy and that's not going to happen if everybody stops buying goods and services. I intend to shop and often!
 
Miss Lee said:
I believe with all of my heart that it's more important now than EVER to spend money whenever you can. We need to pump up our economy and that's not going to happen if everybody stops buying goods and services. I intend to shop and often!
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That's the excuse I have been using for all of my workout related purchases. My DH isn't buying it though!
 
I have no vacation plans this year. My dad is suffering from dementia and I just don't feel right taking a vacation when my mom is dealing with that. I was bummed about it but after 2 employees were laid off at the company where I work last week, I'm not feeling so bad.

When we were kids we went on vacations every year. One year we stayed home and my parents bought us new bikes. My dad also took each of us girls out for the day by ourselves. It was nice. Even though we didn't go anywhere that summer, I still had a new bike and a nice day with my dad. Maybe you could stay closer to home but still do something fun that your kids can enjoy.
 
We're still taking ours. However, it will be "cheaper" than previous years. Airfare was super cheap (finally, a break there - woo hoo!!!) and we used some miles, and we're staying at less expensive hotels. We've done the nicer resorts in the past, and for all the outdoor activities we do while on vacation, we're hardly at the hotel to enjoy all the amenities, so we basically just need a place to sleep and shower. Life is too short and DH and I work too hard to just take vacation time off and veg out around the house or take day trips. Sometimes you really need to get away!
 
I'm not cancelling any of our plans. I'm actually planning MORE vacation trips for me and the boys than in the past. We take a lot of DRIVING vacations so that I can save on the actual travel expense. And I like to piggy back vacation trips with visits to family and some sight-seeing.

My plans, starting in May, include a trip to N Carolina to visit my younger sis, a trip to Boston to visit my Aunt, another trip to Ohio to visit friends, and a few trips (I'm shooting for 3) to the beach to visit MORE FRIENDS. N Carolina and Boston are like 8 hours of driving time, but the kids and I get so much out of those trips together.

Gayle
 
We are not canceling our vacation but we are scaling back on some of our more grandiose plans. We have also planned several weekend trips
 
We have thought about driving but my little boys are 3 and 5 and 16 hours of driving is a lot for them to endure. If they were only a few years older I wouldn't hesitate. I have 2 older children, 21 and 16 and have made that trip many times over the years by car.

But it still doesn't change the dilemna that my roof will be at least $12,000 to $15,000 to replace. It is already leaking, luckily into the garage, so we don't have much time to wait - it must be done.

My daughter will be getting her permit next week and I already know insurance will be up $2000 to $3000. My van is 7 years old and needs work now, etc.

It's not that I don't value the time with my family but we are on the east coast and know someone with a beach house 3 blocks from the Jersey shore which she always lets us have it for during the summer for 4 or 5 days free of cost except for the cleaning lady which is $100. My kids love the ocean and all that goes with it so they will not be missing out one bit on vacation fun. It is only 2 hours away and a great vacation for us.

It is me that misses out. I am very close to my sisters and I can't imagine going a year without seeing them.
 
We are actually in the process of planning our vacation plans for this year. My husband and I both need the mental relaxation of getting away from home!!!
 
We're skipping vacation AGAIN this year. I don't work, and we just thought it would be wise to not spend the money. Boy do I miss the beach!!!
 
Worknprogress said:
It is me that misses out. I am very close to my sisters and I can't imagine going a year without seeing them.
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So, why don't you check out airfare for a quick trip out there for just you? Would your husband be able to take care of the kids so you could see your sisters for a few days, and then you can take the family vacation in NJ too?
I think airfare is super cheap right now. I know hotels are--we were just looking at hotels in the DC area and they are like $70 per night--about a third of the usual rate...

Wendy
 
Wendy - I think you may have just given me my solution. I can't believe I hadn't thought about it myself.

Maybe I take the VK with my family at the Jersey shore, and then I plan a little getaway with my sisters late summer or fall.

This is something I definitely need to check out!!!
 
No, I won't cancel family trips ever again. I canceled a trip to see my parents one summer because of financial issues - they live 3000 miles away. I ended up losing my mom to cancer later in the year. We did fly out to see her, but my girls never did get the chance to have that last fun, unburdened time with her. I will always regret that. A trip to Europe I would cancel. A trip to see family - it's not worth the risk.
 
My DH got laid off 2 weeks ago. That was the day before we were leaving for Vegas for a week!:eek: It was sickening to hear the news but it was too late to cancel the vacation. We went and had an awesome time! We were just a little more careful with how we spent our money. It was probably a blessing in disguise TBH because this way we didn't sit home worrying about him losing his job. By the time we got home things didn't seem so bad. Now let's hope they stay that way...... :)
 
Oh my gosh, Fit Mommy, I'm so sorry to hear this. And what timing. Then again, there really isn't a good time to get laid off. I'm so glad you guys went and had fun in Vegas, and I hope things turn around for you soon.


For me personally, family vacations aren't really "vacations" for me. :p I cook, clean, play the roles of referee/family buffer/social & travel coordinator/nurse, etc. just like I do at home. The only difference is the location. That said, I do enjoy listening to the surf, which is something I don't get at home. And I don't have to do any schoolwork ~ I love that.

Ultimately, I'd be pretty happy anywhere ~ home included ~ if I could ship the kids to Grandma's house, turn off the phone, bake some cookies, rent movies, and read books. That would rock!
 
I'm going on another cruise this year. I went last year too. The only reason I can afford this one is because of the inheritance my mom got (she's paying my way) when my grandmother passed away. :( If it weren't for that, I wouldn't be going anywhere.
 
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