Jealous of everyone's travels

[Uscjusto]

I'm looking at everyone's past travels and future travel plans and I get so jealous.

Just curious, how old is everyone and how do they get to take so much vacation time to travel?

I'm married, in my 30's, work full time, have a toddler and one on the way. My future travel plans have definitely taken a back seat for now.
We just got back from a weeklong vacation in NYC and that was so exhausting with a toddler.

It's hard for us to even use 2200 HGVC points a year now. *sigh*

 

[Passepartout]

I'm married, in my 30's, work full time, have a toddler and one on the way.

It's hard for us to even use 2200 HGVC points a year now. *sigh*

You will. For now though, you have the more important things to do that life brings. When I was in my 30's I had job and family obligations too. But having a savings habit makes the travel and eventual retirement (and time) possible.

We're pushing 70 (OMG!) take 4-5 two-to-three week trips and a couple of cruises a year, and have done so for 20+ years. Now we have a 2nd home to throw into the mix.

Jim

 

[presley]

Self employed and kids are adults now.
I would have loved a single timeshare when my kids were little, but didn't have the money for vacations and we could never afford to take a full week off since we don't get paid if we don't work.

It is easier now, but still difficult at times. We still don't have a lot of time, but points systems like HGVC are easy to take weekend trips.

Do you have any drive to locations that would be easier to visit with a toddler? S/he may get used to going to the same place year after year and it could become a lot easier.

 

[Jason245]

I'm looking at everyone's past travels and future travel plans and I get so jealous.

Just curious, how old is everyone and how do they get to take so much vacation time to travel?

I'm married, in my 30's, work full time, have a toddler and one on the way. My future travel plans have definitely taken a back seat for now.
We just got back from a weeklong vacation in NYC and that was so exhausting with a toddler.

It's hard for us to even use 2200 HGVC points a year now. *sigh*

Very similar circumstances to you. .the difference being that we refuse to put our travel on the back burner. We just changed it to weekend trips.. partial weeks and vacations within driving distance. . Of course living in south florida helps..

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[DeniseM]

When our kids were little, we did kid type vacations - things like camping, beach vacations, and Disneyland. We didn't do fly-to vacations, and more elaborate agendas until they were older.

I think vacations are easier on everyone, when you choose a vacation that is manageable with a toddler. NYC probably doesn't fit in that category.

 

[Uscjusto]

Self employed and kids are adults now.
I would have loved a single timeshare when my kids were little, but didn't have the money for vacations and we could never afford to take a full week off since we don't get paid if we don't work.

It is easier now, but still difficult at times. We still don't have a lot of time, but points systems like HGVC are easy to take weekend trips.

Do you have any drive to locations that would be easier to visit with a toddler? S/he may get used to going to the same place year after year and it could become a lot easier.

We still fit in weekend trips to SF and Tahoe because they are close. Carlsbad is the closest HGVC within driving distance (10 hours) so that's not too bad. The weeklong vacations I see others take to exotic and faraway places are probably out of reach for at least 10 years.

But vacationing is still a priority. Our toddler has gone to Hawaii, Vegas, Carlsbad, NYC, Texas, and all throughout CA. I just figure with a newborn on the way, it's going to be MUCH harder (and expensive) than just having one child.

 

[Uscjusto]

When our kids were little, we did kid type vacations - things like camping, beach vacations, and Disneyland. We didn't do fly-to vacations, and more elaborate agendas until they were older.

I think vacations are easier on everyone, when you choose a vacation that is manageable with a toddler. NYC probably doesn't fit in that category.

NYC wasn't a planned vacation. My wife had to go there for work, so we all tagged along. We made the best out of it and had a great time. It was just very exhausting and I felt like I needed a vacation after this vacation!

BTW, Central Park was a great place for our 2 year old. It's just the other parts of NYC that were so hectic, dangerous, and exhausting.

 

[David M]

• 56 & 64
• Dual income
• No kids ... (I would normally say "just cats", but our last fur baby passed away mid-Nov)
• We each gets 5 weeks paid vacation per year
• 5100 points just wasn't enough, so we bought another 4800

 

[VegasBella]

Just curious, how old is everyone and how do they get to take so much vacation time to travel?

We are in our late 30s. We are very fortunate. My husband and I both have very flexible schedules and we can work from various locations. We earn plenty and we live modestly (very small home, cars are paid off etc.). Our son is in Kindergarten this year so we have felt fine taking him out of preschool as much as we wanted. Going forward we decided to take him out of school one week per year to take advantage of some off season vacation deals or special events. We don't pretend to be average or normal.

That said, our total investment in timeshare ownership has only been about $6500. Our annual fees (MF and taxes) on our ownerships are about $2k and that gets us 2-3 weeks of California beach Summer vacations (one ownership is EOY). We chose to buy only weeks that were easy for us to use in case our situation changed. And we bought high demand timeshare weeks that we felt were fairly easy to rent or resell if our situation demanded it.

It's the same strategy we have for the rest of our lives. Our fixed financial obligations are very low; most of our spending is discretionary. For example, our mortgage is so tiny that we could easily go a year without income and still pay it just from savings. We could easily just cancel our housekeeper, landscaper, luxury gym membership, private school tuition, etc... our base costs are very low. Even our home is an easy seller - statistically, we'll have a lot less trouble finding a buyer should we ever need to than most of our friends who own large luxury homes. We live in Vegas and we gamble (all of life is a gamble) but we take smart risks that generally pay off.

Additionally, we are very modern. Sometimes my husband and I vacation separately. Since good pet sitting is a pretty big vacation expense, sometimes we divvy things up and one stays home while the other takes the kiddo on a trip. We've actually been doing that since before we had a child. It's just something we do that happens to make timesharing less risky.

 

[MichaelColey]

We're in our mid-40s, but it takes quite a bit of sacrifice to vacation as much as we do. We homeschool our kids, so we're not tied to a school schedule. My wife and I are self-employeed, and we almost always bring work with us when we travel. We funnel all of our expenses that we can through credit cards, to earn the miles and points that cover airfare for many of our trips. We have no pets. Our kids aren't involved in a lot of outside activities, and they actively help with our businesses.

Because of all of that, we are typically able to "vacation" (but taking work with us) 8-12 weeks a year, including some incredible trips to Hawaii, Europe, Disney, cruises, etc.

 

[Tank]

One day at a time, don't wish the time away.
Enjoy the moment, it will be over before you know it.
Blink and you will be where I am asking myself, where the heck did all the time go!
54

 

[bnoble]

We went through phases. When our kids were the same age as yours, it was a big deal to spend a few nights in Toledo, an hour south of here, visiting the (quite nice) zoo and science museum.

Once we were firmly into pre-school, vacations were easier, and we averaged about three weeks/year without missing any school time.

Once they got into high school, it got harder again because of sports and other outside activities don't always line up. We're down to one "family" trip a year, and take two other trips that might be mom + one kid for a week, and dad + the other kid a different week.

In another 2.5 years, they will both be in college, and we will have more time, but less money.

 

[Cyberc]

Late 30'es.
7 weeks paid vacations per year.
We are a family of yours, mine and our children. A total of 3 kids, aged 4,10,10 We normally travel 3-4 times pr year, have done so for the past 8'years.

Normally 3 vacations with our kids and 1 vacation for my DW and I only.

We don't do weekends stays we travel a minimum of 1 week gladly more.

Traveling is a priority for us, we both have descents jobs and are able to put money aside for traveling.

regards

 

[cgingrich]

I'm looking at everyone's past travels and future travel plans and I get so jealous.

Just curious, how old is everyone and how do they get to take so much vacation time to travel?

I'm married, in my 30's, work full time, have a toddler and one on the way. My future travel plans have definitely taken a back seat for now.
We just got back from a weeklong vacation in NYC and that was so exhausting with a toddler.

It's hard for us to even use 2200 HGVC points a year now. *sigh*

With a toddler you'll enjoy Hawaii and Orlando trips for now.

 

[epcmart]

• 56 & 64
• Dual income
• No kids ... (I would normally say "just cats", but our last fur baby passed away mid-Nov)
• We each gets 5 weeks paid vacation per year
• 5100 points just wasn't enough, so we bought another 4800

is 5wks vacation common in Canada?

 

[Sugarcubesea]

I'm looking at everyone's past travels and future travel plans and I get so jealous.

Just curious, how old is everyone and how do they get to take so much vacation time to travel?

I'm married, in my 30's, work full time, have a toddler and one on the way. My future travel plans have definitely taken a back seat for now.
We just got back from a weeklong vacation in NYC and that was so exhausting with a toddler.

It's hard for us to even use 2200 HGVC points a year now. *sigh*

We rarely traveled until this past year as all of the kids are now adults and as we are in our 50"s we have jobs that gives us 4 weeks of vacation a year…your time will come

 

[LynnW]

is 5wks vacation common in Canada?

Once you have been with a company for sometime 5 or 6 weeks is common. Most places in Canada now give you 3 weeks when you start.

Lynn

 

[dsmrp]

I'm looking at everyone's past travels and future travel plans and I get so jealous.

Just curious, how old is everyone and how do they get to take so much vacation time to travel?

I'm married, in my 30's, work full time, have a toddler and one on the way. My future travel plans have definitely taken a back seat for now.
We just got back from a weeklong vacation in NYC and that was so exhausting with a toddler.

It's hard for us to even use 2200 HGVC points a year now. *sigh*

We're in our late 50's, kids grown, but still helping with some support We didn't start owning timeshares until about 10 years ago, when FIL wanted to unload Our parents lived 2500 miles in opposite directions, so we were usually flying to see either side. FIL helped by getting TS reservations for his extended family. It helped a lot that both sets of parents lived in nice beach areas (Hawaii & Cape Cod). We also took lots of driving trips: camping, long weekends to various areas around our state and neighboring Canada.

Your children are in their most time-consuming years now. It will get easier to travel when they're school aged, but then you'll be tied to school schedule. Maybe you could invite one set of parents at a time to take short trips with you??

Even tho' it doesn't feel like it now, time will go by before you know it.
Enjoy your time with your children while they're young. You'll have time in later years to take those faraway vacations, but you can't get back your children's early years for all the points in the world.

 

[Tamaradarann]

There is a season turn turn turn

I'm looking at everyone's past travels and future travel plans and I get so jealous.

Just curious, how old is everyone and how do they get to take so much vacation time to travel?

I'm married, in my 30's, work full time, have a toddler and one on the way. My future travel plans have definitely taken a back seat for now.
We just got back from a weeklong vacation in NYC and that was so exhausting with a toddler.

It's hard for us to even use 2200 HGVC points a year now. *sigh*

There was a song about 50 years ago by the Birds that had the words "There is a season turn turn turn" There is a season for partying and playing, there is a season for bring up children, and there is a season when you are retired and can vacation a lot. You are in the season for bringing up children. You will have other seasons in your life.

 

[GregT]

There is alot of wisdom in this thread As always, TUGgers impress me with their knowledge and perspective.

I am 48, wife is 42, three kids (15/13/10). We travel as much as we can, and I am heavily influenced by my sweet mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimers at 62. I learned many things from my Mom, the last thing she taught me was to not assume tomorrow. And so we travel, both as a family and as a couple -- often and to beautiful places.

I also want to travel while my kids still want to join us -- that phase is passing too, but the new phase has its advantages. I can't believe my kids are 15/13/10. Just last yearponder, they were 6/4/1. Where did the time go?

Best,

Greg

 

[alexadeparis]

There was a song about 50 years ago by the Birds that had the words "There is a season turn turn turn" There is a season for partying and playing, there is a season for bring up children, and there is a season when you are retired and can vacation a lot. You are in the season for bringing up children. You will have other seasons in your life.

This is a bible verse: Ecclesiastes Chapter 3

Anyway, I am 40s, hubby 60's, daughter 21. He has about 5 weeks vacation and I am self employed. We try to have our daughter and her boyfriend, and our nephew and his girlfriend, come with us on vacation about half the time, the other half of our vacations are "couple" trips. There are times when we do less vacations in a year or drive to locations because of money or time constraints, but we aim for three to four trips. If you don't make the plans and have them to look forward to, you will never make it a priority in your life. I know if I have a big trip looming, I am less likely to spend money on dumb stuff.

 

[frank808]

Wife and I are just shy of 45 and son that is 10 years old. We try to travel to the mainland US 2 to 3 times a year. Figured we have to do this now as they grow old to fast. It seems like it was just last year when we went to Disneyland for the first time when he was 4. My goodness time flies so fast.

Wife gets 6 weeks paid vacation a year plus is allowed to take another 6 weeks unpaid leave and I am self employed.

Had my best friend of 30 years pass away 4 years ago suddenly and decided that life is to short. So we make the most of our trips. Since we have to fly at least 5 hours to the US, our trips are a minimum of 2 weeks. Plus we tend to do a lot of staycations here.

Timesharing started out as a way to stay in bigger rooms with kitchens and laundry facilities for less than a hotel room. Now I have become a timeshare addict! In all seriousness timesharing has allowed me to have beautiful memories of our travels.

To the op don't worry as we were in the same boat as you at that age. With time you will be having wonderful memories of your awesome vacations. No need to rush anything as it will come soon enough.

 

[Tamaradarann]

Vacations when Childrearing

We also vacationed when the kids were growing up in that season of life. However, it was driving trips for a week or less to Upstate NY, Canada, Amish County, Gettysburg, Williamsburg Va, Washington DC, Maine, Boston etc. since it was less expensive to drive. Flying with 4 people and then renting a car is much more expensive than not flying and having your own car.

My husband and I can now can afford to vacation for about 120 days a year on flying vacations to Florida, Las Vegas, California, Hawaii. We are able to fully take advantage of all of our timeshares and open season benefits in this season of our lives.

 

[Joe33426]

We travel as much as we can, and I am heavily influenced by my sweet mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimers at 62. I learned many things from my Mom, the last thing she taught me was to not assume tomorrow. And so we travel, both as a family and as a couple -- often and to beautiful places.

I can't agree with this more. We're in our mid 40s with no kids and our last pet died 4 years ago and we're not getting any new pets. The pet issue really restricted our travel. Now, we're constantly on the road or in the air. About 10 weeks in timeshares. You never know what the future may hold and if travel in later life is going to be feasible. Travel isn't feasible for my folks....

The best thing about timeshares for us is that I'm much more focused on we're we are going next and planning vacations far in advance.

 

[Helios]

40 and wife is 39. Kids are 13 and 9 (and an afghan hound) with exhausting academic and competitive sports activities. I own a consulting company w/o vacation (work follows me) and wife works for large company with 5 weeks vaca.

Kids started traveling outside the US as infants and loved it. We manage 4 vacation weeks per year throughout North America, Caribean, and Hawaii. In 2016 we will expand travel range to South America and probably Europe. South Pacific and Asia to come 2017. It takes an extraordinary amount of planing but it can be done.

We rent our surplus VOIs an get a very large amount of hotel points/airline miles from business and personal cc expenses. MF are not pleasant in January, but I guess that is self inflicted pain.