I want to travel damn it...

[TheHaitian]

But I want to save too 😢😢😢

This week two separate group of friends left for vacation:
1) one group went to China
2) the other group went to London (stop) then Mumbai, Delhi and Tel Aviv.

After our vacation last year (London , Ireland and Paris) we were planning to take it easy this year and maybe just a beach vacation during the summer or go Home (HAITI).

But now I want to GO AWAY (first word problems I know)...

[resolution]

I would love to travel too. My problem is the motivation to do all the footwork;  I can't make myself sit down and plan everything out.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Ugh. I hear you. Damn college tuition. 😖

[countrygirl2]

I would like to also, but not feeling so good.  But wanting and having the motivation to plan is an issue too.  We go less expensive so travel agency isn't really a good choice.

[oped]

There has to be a balance. 

But yeah, what GRG said. Even with my dad helping us out a ton, I can't see getting anywhere much the next 5 years. Except husband needs to get to see his mom. He usually goes every 2.5 years but she is isn't getting any younger and i think he needs to go every year for a week at this point, i just need to convince him. 

[Ava]

There are places I would love to visit. But it's a "want" competing with a lot of priorities.

There are student loans to pay down, retirement accounts to contribute to, car note to pay, things that need maintenance and/or repairs at home, etc.
Besides that, I already use all my vacation time to go back home and spend time with family and friends.
It's a competition for limited resources; time and money.

Right now, I am not planning for travel, but I hope to get to do it in the future.

Sometimes good things happen with not much planning, but the timing is right. I remember growing up admiring the Beatles. I never thought I would one day see Paul in concert 3 times and Ringo 2 times.
I didn't really think I would become a homeowner, but at the time I had a good credit history it was possible to buy with 0 down and I did.

[andi9899]

I want to travel too. I'm getting a tummy tuck instead.

[countrygirl2]

This is kind of ironic, hubs didn't really want to travel after doing so much of it.  He said the other night you likely need to quit driving the motorhome having episodes like that.  I said well we need to sell it then.  He says Oh I could go and take you places, if you wanted to stay for awhile, could fly home and back. I said I don't necessarily want to stay.  Told him would be nice if he could go with us, he said oh I can probably do that!  Well WOW! that was what I wanted him to do anyway and now he is saying he can.  So maybe all this won't end badly after all!!

[tskeeter]

Mar 16, 2019 11:58:24 GMT -5 countrygirl2 said:

This is kind of ironic, hubs didn't really want to travel after doing so much of it.  He said the other night you likely need to quit driving the motorhome having episodes like that.  I said well we need to sell it then.  He says Oh I could go and take you places, if you wanted to stay for awhile, could fly home and back. I said I don't necessarily want to stay.  Told him would be nice if he could go with us, he said oh I can probably do that!  Well WOW! that was what I wanted him to do anyway and now he is saying he can.  So maybe all this won't end badly after all!!

Time changes things.  You just need a break from a steady diet of the travel hassles.

At one time I had a job where I traveled every couple of weeks.  Quickly got to where I hated to get on airplanes.  And craved tuna noodle casserole instead of restaurant meals.

Took about ten years to get to where I didn’t try to avoid flying.

Now, I’m happy to make an international flight, in coach, at the drop of a hat.

[simser]

I do travel. Im lucky enough to go on a trip about 3 times a year. Last year I did Antarctica and Alaska (that was an expensive year, but not normal).

However, I work a second job about 15 hours a week to pay for it. I live in a cheap house. And I am very good at finding cheap plane tickets, cheap hotels, etc. China is a very cheap destination. With a $600 plane ticket, you could do the whole week for less than a Carribean cruise...

[Tiny]

To the OP:  Those trips sound exhausting. I'm assuming they are 10 day or less 'vacations'. Yeah, it's fun to travel... it's the exhaustion and stress that turns me off.

[phil5185]

""At one time I had a job where I traveled every couple of weeks. Quickly got to where I hated to get on airplanes. And craved tuna noodle casserole instead of restaurant meals.""

Yeah, get a job where you fly about once a month, that will break you of your desire to travel, I estimate that I made about 300 airplane trips over a 35 year period.  For me, NOT having to travel is a vacation.  Flying was actually pleasant in the 1960's and 70's.  but it started getting UNFUN in the 80's and forward.

[chiver78]

Mar 16, 2019 11:35:56 GMT -5 oped said:

There has to be a balance. 

But yeah, what GRG said. Even with my dad helping us out a ton, I can't see getting anywhere much the next 5 years. Except husband needs to get to see his mom. He usually goes every 2.5 years but she is isn't getting any younger and i think he needs to go every year for a week at this point, i just need to convince him. 

this was my dad. luckily he was close enough to be able to take a quick weekend with a 20h round trip drive. he logged way more trips the last couple years of my grandmother's life, and hasn't been back at all to see his sisters and their families since Memere passed. 

[chiver78]

Mar 16, 2019 14:01:51 GMT -5 phil5185 said:

""At one time I had a job where I traveled every couple of weeks. Quickly got to where I hated to get on airplanes. And craved tuna noodle casserole instead of restaurant meals.""

Yeah, get a job where you fly about once a month, that will break you of your desire to travel, I estimate that I made about 300 airplane trips over a 35 year period.  For me, NOT having to travel is a vacation.  Flying was actually pleasant in the 1960's and 70's.  but it started getting UNFUN in the 80's and forward.

once a month? I suppose. I forget what the ratio was when I was travelling heavily, but there were stretches of time for European projects where it was 2w over, 2w back. because we always had people over there, we were able to keep our heavy construction gear like the steel toe boots, over there. so I could travel with a big carryon roller suitcase, and got so good at packing for those trips that I could be set for a 2w trip in that case, in about 5 minutes start to finish. there's something wrong with that... 

[TheOtherMe]

Mar 16, 2019 11:49:37 GMT -5 Ava said:

Sometimes good things happen with not much planning, but the timing is right. I remember growing up admiring the Beatles. I never thought I would one day see Paul in concert 3 times and Ringo 2 times.

This was the major reason I did much of my post retirement traveling.

While working, I followed my college basketball team and was either flying or driving the weekends they were on the road.   

Travel is a want and I can no longer justify flying for concerts.  It took me to the UK, Canada and all over the US.  No regrets but it's gotten out of my price range as the cost of concert tickets, hotels and flights have all gotten higher.

[countrygirl2]

I did get to travel a bunch, went on cruises, at least got to Paris and Ireland, that was good. I traveled some for work a few years.

Have been on cruises to Jamaica, S America, and other islands. drove the motorhome from Canada to California, to Texas to Florida multiple times so its not like I haven't been anywhere.  I just want to see a few more places, Yosemite and Yellowstone mainly.  But the way I'm feeling don't have the travel bug I did.  I just hate it we spent so much on the motorhome, thousands and thousands, believe me.  

If he does its fine, if not its ok.  I told him if I do I think I'm running out of time.  If some health issues don't change, and I don't see it the issues are multiplying I don't know how many more years I will be able to do things.  I'm hoping for 10 more good years.

Anyway hubs for 15 years flew out for 8 weeks and back home for 3.  Sometimes the flights took him days like the Indonesia ones did that went through Moscow, Japan, and other places, then a day riding a bus with potholes big enough to swallow it or in Africa taking 3 days or more to get there.  Over there they had charter jets with all business class so that was better.  But I don't see how he did it and he had to start work the minute he got in no matter how tired.

[Ava]

Mar 16, 2019 14:34:41 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

Mar 16, 2019 11:49:37 GMT -5 Ava said:

Sometimes good things happen with not much planning, but the timing is right. I remember growing up admiring the Beatles. I never thought I would one day see Paul in concert 3 times and Ringo 2 times.

This was the major reason I did much of my post retirement traveling.

While working, I followed my college basketball team and was either flying or driving the weekends they were on the road.   

Travel is a want and I can no longer justify flying for concerts.  It took me to the UK, Canada and all over the US.  No regrets but it's gotten out of my price range as the cost of concert tickets, hotels and flights have all gotten higher.

Yes, it's getting too expensive.
The first time I saw Ringo in concert the ticket was $75. The second time was more, but I don't remember exactly how much.
Then he came back to CT again and it was close to $200, maybe 3 years after the first concert.
I didn't go.
I don't do concerts anymore. Too much hassle, and too expensive. But I'm glad I got to see them live.

I am into music from the 50s, 60. 70s and 80s. For some reason, I am drawn to the Bee Gees right now. I think they are fantastic and not given proper recognition. That is one group I will never get to see live 

[plugginaway22]

I have fought this battle since we got married almost 40 years ago.  We have done a lot of traveling but I always long for more and have never regretted a dime we spent on it.

[TheOtherMe]

Mar 16, 2019 15:57:07 GMT -5 Ava said:

Mar 16, 2019 14:34:41 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

This was the major reason I did much of my post retirement traveling.

While working, I followed my college basketball team and was either flying or driving the weekends they were on the road.   

Travel is a want and I can no longer justify flying for concerts.  It took me to the UK, Canada and all over the US.  No regrets but it's gotten out of my price range as the cost of concert tickets, hotels and flights have all gotten higher.

Yes, it's getting too expensive.
The first time I saw Ringo in concert the ticket was $75. The second time was more, but I don't remember exactly how much.
Then he came back to CT again and it was close to $200, maybe 3 years after the first concert.
I didn't go.
I don't do concerts anymore. Too much hassle, and too expensive. But I'm glad I got to see them live.

I am into music from the 50s, 60. 70s and 80s. For some reason, I am drawn to the Bee Gees right now. I think they are fantastic and not given proper recognition. That is one group I will never get to see live 

I regret not seeing the Beatles live.  John Lennon was never close enough to me for me to see him.  I decided not to go to Japan to see George Harrison.  I have so regretted that trip.  

I will no longer go to arenas, stadiums, general admission or outdoor shows.  I only go to smaller venues.  They are still good and I enjoy it.  That isn't where I am going to see big names from the 60's and 70's and that's fine.

[sesfw]

DH#1 and I did several road trips in the western US but no international travel, too expensive.  Since DH#2 and I married I've been to western Europe about 6 times.  He and his DW#1 traveled to Europe a lot for his job and he wanted to take me there.  Took my first trip at age 65.  We are taking a river cruise between Moscow and St Petersburg this summer.

I'm happy with a trip every 2 years.  I'm very frugal (cheap) with my funds.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

[tractor]

I travel often, both for work and pleasure. I really enjoy it and don’t mind flying on a regular basis. My kids have been all over the country, but I don’t think they will really appreciate it until they are older and start to look back on the places they’ve been.

My wife and I hope to do more traveling in retirement, but we’ve got to get a few more years in before we can get serious about it.

[geenamercile]

I want to travel, but part of that is I want to give my girls those experiences.  I could miss it for me, but I really want it for them.  

[Gardening Grandma]

I still love to travel. Just got back from a 6 week trip to New Zealand and Australia. Leaving next week for a month long camping trip in southern Utah.

Trying to figure out if I can afford a trip to India in Oct (it would be a gift to myself - 75th birthday)

It’s getting to be more physically challenging though. My advice is to do as much as you can while you are young.   Sitting 12 hours in coach was doable 20 years ago. I can’t do it now.

[chapeau]

Since we’re taking DD with us on an Alaskan cruise this year and she needed a passport, we’re trying to plan at least one international trip before her passport expires in 2024. There are so many competing demands for our income, though, I’m trying to decide if a second job is feasible for me (DH already has a couple of smaller part time jobs, one dedicated to repaying his CC debt and one to house improvement, like re-wiring the whole place).
I really just need a job that pays better, but that search isn’t going as well as I’d like.

[mollyanna58]

Mar 16, 2019 15:57:07 GMT -5 Ava said:

Mar 16, 2019 14:34:41 GMT -5 TheOtherMe said:

This was the major reason I did much of my post retirement traveling.

While working, I followed my college basketball team and was either flying or driving the weekends they were on the road.   

Travel is a want and I can no longer justify flying for concerts.  It took me to the UK, Canada and all over the US.  No regrets but it's gotten out of my price range as the cost of concert tickets, hotels and flights have all gotten higher.

Yes, it's getting too expensive.
The first time I saw Ringo in concert the ticket was $75. The second time was more, but I don't remember exactly how much.
Then he came back to CT again and it was close to $200, maybe 3 years after the first concert.
I didn't go.
I don't do concerts anymore. Too much hassle, and too expensive. But I'm glad I got to see them live.

I am into music from the 50s, 60. 70s and 80s. For some reason, I am drawn to the Bee Gees right now. I think they are fantastic and not given proper recognition. That is one group I will never get to see live 

Ringo and his all star band played locally about two years ago. The tickets were $476.00!!  I suppose it was because it was a smaller venue; my friend saw him on the same tour at an arena in TX and only paid $87.00. 

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Mar 17, 2019 9:40:44 GMT -5 Gardening Grandma said:

I still love to travel. Just got back from a 6 week trip to New Zealand and Australia. Leaving next week for a month long camping trip in southern Utah.

Trying to figure out if I can afford a trip to India in Oct (it would be a gift to myself - 75th birthday)

It’s getting to be more physically challenging though. My advice is to do as much as you can while you are young.   Sitting 12 hours in coach was doable 20 years ago. I can’t do it now.

I find it very difficult to sit in coach now for a long haul flight.  My hips simply are not happy and it takes them several days to stop being pissed off.  TD’s RLS kicks into high gear in coach seats too.  

We are ramping up our travel as TD slides into retirement, only because I have no idea how long I’ll maintain my limited mobility.  This year, we have a trip to Belize this spring so TD can dive, a visit to the Turkish coast with some friends this summer, and a cruise from Bergen to Barcelona in the fall, where we will be spending extra time on both ends.

After this past winter, I’ll likely be looking for someplace south in Feb.  Some people we are friends with are looking at a trip to see the Northern Lights where we may go as well.  

[countrygirl2]

I wouldn't mind, I think, to buy a place in Florida, we just don't want huge monthly HOA fees.  And most anything down there seems to have them if they are in decent places.

[tskeeter]

Mar 16, 2019 14:20:33 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Mar 16, 2019 14:01:51 GMT -5 phil5185 said:

""At one time I had a job where I traveled every couple of weeks. Quickly got to where I hated to get on airplanes. And craved tuna noodle casserole instead of restaurant meals.""

Yeah, get a job where you fly about once a month, that will break you of your desire to travel, I estimate that I made about 300 airplane trips over a 35 year period.  For me, NOT having to travel is a vacation.  Flying was actually pleasant in the 1960's and 70's.  but it started getting UNFUN in the 80's and forward.

once a month? I suppose. I forget what the ratio was when I was travelling heavily, but there were stretches of time for European projects where it was 2w over, 2w back. because we always had people over there, we were able to keep our heavy construction gear like the steel toe boots, over there. so I could travel with a big carryon roller suitcase, and got so good at packing for those trips that I could be set for a 2w trip in that case, in about 5 minutes start to finish. there's something wrong with that... 

Me too.  Still annoys DW that I pack for a two week vacation in less than 15 minutes on the morning we leave. And that my stuff fits into a standard roll aboard.  With a small backpack for the stuff I can’t afford to lose and my iPad.

[TheOtherMe]

mollyanna58  Small venues definitely factor in to ticket costs.  I've seen Ringo a lot.  The last time I saw him was at a small venue, the same one where I am seeing David Crosby.  It happened to be my 64th birthday so a friend and I got VIP tickets in the front row.  Was worth every penny because Ringo sang happy birthday to me.   

To see McCartney and be in the front row was $35 when I did it in 1993.  I paid a scalper $500 for a pair of front row tickets.  Worth the money and now any ticket close to being decent is more than I paid the scalper.  Saw Paul from the front row in Lincoln NE in 2014 and it cost $2000.  That was not worth the money because my seat was so far to the left of the stage that I could not see a single band member.  I tried and failed to get some of my money back.