Do You Like to Travel?

[DayByDay]

My traveling dream is to do as much RVing as possible to see nature and historical sights. I don't like planes, hotels, too much restaurant food, or crowds. I don't have a desire to see other countries.

[alexsmith]

Off course, Traveling is so expensive, it takes a big portion of our budget. Traveling is cute hobby and we explored the world and got maximum experience while meeting the different peoples. I love traveling and when I have got a chance or vacation then we planned our tour.

Alex - BuyaTimeshare.com
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[F16]

Originally Posted by Reldon

I love to travel. It just feels great to experience other country's cultures and see what they are like. I have also been planning to go on a cruise some time later this year. If you make all the money in the world and you don't enjoy it, what's the point of having that money?

The point is to build financially more secure future.
To be sure that you will never be in a dramatic situation.

[F16]

As for me, I am not a great fun of travelling, hiking, mountaining and so on.
One of the great reason to say no to any such activities is ... saving money.
You can save a lot of money instead of going to other countries and making rich other people. When you travel, you spend everywhere. And what you get instead, just impressions, nothing that can make you feel more secure ot fulfilled. IMHO.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by F16

One of the great reason to say no to any such activities is ... saving money.
You can save a lot of money instead of going to other countries and making rich other people. When you travel, you spend everywhere. And what you get instead, just impressions, nothing that can make you feel more secure ot fulfilled. IMHO.

What is the point of all the saving, though? Isn't the point of saving money now so that you have it to spend later? For example, we are saving money in a 529 plan for our daughter so that we can spend it later to help pay for her education. You could say we could save even more by not sending her to college.

Sure, we could save more money by never taking a vacation, but what fun would that be? We've learned so much, seen so many wonders, made so many terrific memories and met some great people by traveling. Does that make us feel more fulfilled? It sure does.

I think life would be pretty sad if we just sat at home all day saving every penny we could and never getting any enjoyment out of all of our hard work.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

But you do have a chance to experience other cultures, meet different types of people, and broaden your mind and opinions. Not everyone is the same and having the oppotunity to travel did a lot for me. It was appreciating everything I have here in the US when compared to the poverty I've seen travelling.

Also you learn greater compassion sometimes. I tend to agree about saving money, but all the money in the world won't save you when you have to die. And there is more to life than money.

Would you have the same view if at 32 you were diagnosed with cancer? I think perspectives about appreciating your family and health become imperative. Saving money is great, but so is appreciating the time you have on earth. And so is contributing to society.

[F16]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

What is the point of all the saving, though?

Hello Steve! The point of saving and investing your hard-earned money is to secure the future of yourself and your family. Saved money must go not for fun, ice-cream, nice foods, restaurants, movies and so on.
It is intended for investments that can pay back the money you have invested. For example, if you buy a 1 bedroom apartment for $100,000 and then rent it out, say, for $1000/monthly, in about 8 years you will get all your money you have invested, in this way, you can say, that you have bought 1 bedroom apartment for $0.

Originally Posted by disneysteve

What is the point of all the saving, though?
Isn't the point of saving money now so that you have it to spend later? For example, we are saving money in a 529 plan for our daughter so that we can spend it later to help pay for her education. You could say we could save even more by not sending her to college.

The situation with college education is quite different.
Society demands that. I mean college education.
Otherwise, I think that your daughter will be grateful when she receives the money (college money) when you invest it, and make say a million of bucks.

Originally Posted by disneysteve

What is the point of all the saving, though?
Sure, we could save more money by never taking a vacation, but what fun would that be?

Well, certainly, the situation I've described is impossible.
Everyone have to go somewhere, spend some money and so on.
But it had nothing to do with becoming rich and so on.
It has to do with becoming poor.
Spending means becoming not rich.

Originally Posted by disneysteve

We've learned so much, seen so many wonders, made so many terrific memories and met some great people by traveling. Does that make us feel more fulfilled? It sure does.

Well, that's great!

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I think life would be pretty sad if we just sat at home all day saving every penny we could and never getting any enjoyment out of all of our hard work.

It depends on what you want from your life I think.
If you want constant fun and party and drinks and girls and so on...
That would lead to nowhere. All IMHO.

[F16]

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

Saving money is great, but so is appreciating the time you have on earth. And so is contributing to society.

Great said, thank you for your comments.
We have to find a compromise.
We have to reject something, to free up some cash.
You can't save for retirement, save for kids education, save for home, for vacation home, for boat, and on the same time have fun european vacation with lots of presents bought for friends and relatives.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I'd like to know where you buy a 1 bedroom for $100k and rent it for $1k/month? Hmm...that'd be quite a return.

There is nothing wrong with having fun. There is also nothing wrong with having less in retirement. Gee I'll be sad when I have $5M instead of $10M.

What's the point? Did you rea the $1M retirement question where JimOhio points out $1m might be enough for most people?

And that no one said european vacations and tons of present were the norm. DH and I ZERO presents when travelling. People don't need dustcatches. At most I send a postcard.

And why can't you have a home, car, boat? Maybe a used boat will suit you on a modest house on the lake? Is that wrong? Nah.

Or a lavish home, but you prefer to not travel. Sure it's choices. But it's not wrong to choose to spend your money on fun.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by F16

Hello Steve! The point of saving and investing your hard-earned money is to secure the future of yourself and your family. Saved money must go not for fun, ice-cream, nice foods, restaurants, movies and so on.

Spending means becoming not rich.

You can't save for retirement, save for kids education, save for home, for vacation home, for boat, and on the same time have fun european vacation with lots of presents bought for friends and relatives.

I think I understand what you are saying, but I have to disagree to a point.

"Saved money must go not for fun" Do you really believe this? Do you think people shouldn't get to enjoy any of their money and only spend for necessities of life? People save for all kinds of goals including fun things like new vehicles, vacations, parties for special occasions and recreational equipment (boat, RV, snowmobile, etc.).

"Spending means becoming not rich." is only true if you are spending INSTEAD of saving. It is very possible to spend AND save at the same time. For example, we max our Roths, my wife funds her 401k, we contribute to taxable investment accounts, we fund our daughter's 529, etc. So we are saving to secure our future. But we also are able to travel regularly, dine out, buy nice things, give gifts and spend our money in other ways. It doesn't have to be an either-or proposition.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with spending money as long as it is done responsibly and within the bounds of a well-thought-out financial plan that takes into account all your needs and goals, both short-term and long-term.

[F16]

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

But it's not wrong to choose to spend your money on fun.

Ok. Lets say so. Fun must pe planned. Beforehand.

[F16]

Originally Posted by disneysteve

There is absolutely nothing wrong with spending money as long as it is done responsibly and within the bounds of a well-thought-out financial plan that takes into account all your needs and goals, both short-term and long-term.

Ok. I agree. But think about this. Taking into consideration the effects of compounding, how much could you get if you just invest $5000 - $6000 (the amount spent on vacations) into some kind of mutual funds,
or you can buy some precious metal bars or coins, and all that you can someday inherit to your kids. Can you inherit impressions, vacations photos, postcards?

I, for example, try to save almost on everything. For example, I have a girlfriend and I like her so much, and I can easily afford to buy for her a digital camera for $1200. And I will feel myself fulfilled, satisfied, just happy to make such a gift, but deeply inside I understand that there is no sense collecting coins and on the same time throwing away $1200 as a gift.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by F16

Taking into consideration the effects of compounding, how much could you get if you just invest $5000 - $6000 (the amount spent on vacations) into some kind of mutual funds,
or you can buy some precious metal bars or coins, and all that you can someday inherit to your kids. Can you inherit impressions, vacations photos, postcards?

Yes, we would end up with more money when we die if we stopped traveling, but so what. The same could be said for virtually any spending beyond basic necessities. If we didn't own TVs, computers, nice clothes, decent furniture, pets, nice cars or virtually anything else that isn't needed for survival, we could all die wealthy but miserable. Sorry but that just isn't how I want to live my life.

Can you inherit "impressions" and memories? You sure can. My daughter is 12. Both of her grandfathers died before she was born. My wife and I often tell her stories about our fathers, many of which have to do with travel experiences. When we go to Disney World each year, I always remind her that "it's a small world" was my father's favorite ride and we always take a moment to remember him when we ride it. And we often tell her about trips we took before she was born. Stuff like that. Stories get passed on from generation to generation. Is it the same as giving her gold coins? No, but in some ways it is even more valuable.

I'm not saying everyone has to enjoy travel (which was the original point of this thread). It isn't something everyone likes to do, and that is perfectly fine. But if you do enjoy it and you can afford to do it while still meeting your bigger financial goals, do it and enjoy yourself.

If you don't think travel is worth the money, then stay home. We all have different priorities in life. Nothing wrong with that at all.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Um, F16, that's not exactly wise. Okay so you can invest $5-6k travelling, then we should only eat the cheapest cuts of meat, no boneless skinless chicken breast, no fish, no steak, no fresh fruits/veggies, only canned. Everything above the minimum is a LUXURY. Nevermind that perhaps drinking no hormone milk or no hormone meat is better for you. Actually you should be a vegetarian so you don't eat any cholesterol from meat.

But that's not realistic. Neither is expecting to live so minimally that there is no fun in life. People buy better foods to preserve their health. They sometimes join a gym so they can exercise regularly without going running in -20C in the winter. Or have a pool. Sure the money for the monthly cost could mean retiring 1 year earlier, but instead they might live one year longer.

Or perhaps, my parents should never visit me because they could invest the $5-6k to go from hawaii to East coast and instead leave me and my siblings $100k when they die! WOOHOO!

But I'd rather have 1 week with my parents than $100k later. And I know my siblings feel the same. And you can't replace or put a price tag on those memories! You can't price a week of seeing grandma or grandpa.

Even more valuable is having the opportunity to see and meet their grandparents. Or recalling a special trip. One of my most treasured memories EVER was being 5 and going on my first and only trip with my mom to Las Vegas, Disneyland, and SF.

My mom, uncle, aunts, grandparents all went. She was a single mom, but my uncle helped her afford it. She saved for 5 years and my grandparents did too. ONLY family trip and I can recall seeing new family in CA. I recall sitting in the van and being carried in SF in Chinatown.

It was also the last trip my aunts had as a single lady before marriage. She STILL mentions how much fun she had and how young she was and what we enjoyed. My cousin from orange county still writes to me till this day!

Gosh, that $2k might be $100k+, but I have something way better than money. I have a relationship with my cousins, my aunts, uncles, etc. We reminisce about the trip! Look at photos and laugh.

Sure the money on the trip would have paid off the house faster, invested in the stock market, but my mom bought me something intangible she can never replace.

I don't think life is about money, and even when I was poor with my mom it wasn't. We volunteered, we appreciated everything we had. We were a very close family and still are. We never had much, but my mom always gave back to the community and taught me to do the same.

Sure she'd be richer today if she had scrimped every penny, but she lives a SUPER comfortable life now. And a stock certificate or gold coin might be nice to finger, but I like my memories. And I think my relationships with my family will be passed on to my kids.

[ParsnipsRhubarbCelery]

Travelling can be fun, but, for me, it depends on the purpose (i.e. a business trip, a fun trip, etc.). On fun trips, it's kinda nice to be able to fly during the day so that I don't have to get up super early to catch a really early flight...

[F16]

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

Um, F16, that's not exactly wise.

It's not wise to waste money on fun, when your basic NEEDs are not completeley satisfied. Under basic needs I mean, fully paid house, fully funded emergency fund, substantial savings in retirement accounts,
and so on.

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

Okay so you can invest $5-6k travelling, then we should only eat the cheapest cuts of meat, no boneless skinless chicken breast, no fish, no steak, no fresh fruits/veggies, only canned. Everything above the minimum is a LUXURY. Nevermind that perhaps drinking no hormone milk or no hormone meat is better for you. Actually you should be a vegetarian so you don't eat any cholesterol from meat.

You know, food is a great place for saving. Every dollar you spend on food, goes directly to WC. Certainly, you must fully feed yourself and your family,
but that doesn't mean you should eat every day fresh meat and fruits.

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

People buy better foods to preserve their health.

To preserve your health, you have to exercise regularly. Food has nothing to do with health.

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

Or perhaps, my parents should never visit me because they could invest the $5-6k to go from hawaii to East coast and instead leave me and my siblings $100k when they die! WOOHOO!

Honestly, that would be great! To get $100k as inheritance.

Originally Posted by LivingAlmostLarge

But I'd rather have 1 week with my parents than $100k later. And I know my siblings feel the same. And you can't replace or put a price tag on those memories! You can't price a week of seeing grandma or grandpa.

You can speak via Skype, send email, your pics, and so on.

[cschin4]

To preserve your health, you have to exercise regularly. Food has nothing to do with health.


This is perhaps the most uneducated response I have ever heard on this board.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by F16

It's not wise to waste money on fun, when your basic NEEDs are not completeley satisfied. Under basic needs I mean, fully paid house, fully funded emergency fund, substantial savings in retirement accounts,
and so on.

I'm not sure why I'm even debating this, but are you saying that unless someone's home is totally paid for with no mortgage, they shouldn't be spending on anything else? Do you actually live this way? If so, I find that quite sad.

Every dollar you spend on food, goes directly to WC.

What exactly is WC?

Food has nothing to do with health.

What a bizarre statement! As a physician, I can assure you that food has a great deal to do with health.

Honestly, that would be great! To get $100k as inheritance.
You can speak via Skype, send email, your pics, and so on.

You would rather only communicate with your family via Skype, e-mail and photos and get a $100,000 inheritance instead of actually getting to spend time with them in person doing things together? Again, if you actually believe this, that is quite sad.

[F16]

Hello Steve!

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I'm not sure why I'm even debating this

Actually, I was replying to LivingAlmostLarge.

Originally Posted by disneysteve

...but are you saying that unless someone's home is totally paid for with no mortgage, they shouldn't be spending on anything else?

Well, when you are happy to know, that someone else (the lender) is earning money on you and still you are quite satisfied and even can spend some money even not for repaying the loan...well...it's up to you.

Originally Posted by disneysteve

What exactly is WC?

Try some search.

Originally Posted by disneysteve

What a bizarre statement! As a physician, I can assure you that food has a great deal to do with health.

Food's impact on human's health isn't substantial.
What matters is making exercises regularly, breaking such habits like smoking, abusing alcohol and so on. In my humble opinion.

Originally Posted by disneysteve

You would rather only communicate with your family via Skype, e-mail and photos and get a $100,000 inheritance instead of actually getting to spend time with them in person doing things together?

I would try to see them in person and on the same time try to cut some unnecessary expenses.

By the way, Steve, I've read somewhere your post about inflation and that it's not high... Check out this.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by F16

Food's impact on human's health isn't substantial.
What matters is making exercises regularly, breaking such habits like smoking, abusing alcohol and so on. In my humble opinion.

By the way, Steve, I've read somewhere your post about inflation and that it's not high... Check out this.

While I agree that smoking, alcohol and exercise are all very important, I certainly feel very strongly that nutrition is also very important in maintaining good health and preventing or at least avoiding complications of diseases like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, various cancers and more. We'll have to agree to disagree on that topic.

As for inflation, that article pretty much confirms what I said:
"So far this year, consumer prices are rising at an annual rate of 4 percent, compared with a 4.1 percent increase for all of 2007." While this is a little higher than recent years when it was running more in the 3% neighborhood, it is still low in terms of historic levels.