What’s the use of having lots of wealth unless you get to live it up a bit, right?
Well, today’s topic is going to focus on just that — enjoying what we have earned, saved, and invested. In particular, how we all choose to spend some of it on vacations.
I thought I’d post our plans for this year and you could do the same. Great way to spend a day, right?
They say that much of the enjoyment of a vacation is dreaming about and planning it, so let’s do that!
We are down to the last five months before our daughter leaves for college. We plan to make the most of our time and take a few trips before she leaves.
Here’s what we have planned this year for now through the end of the year:
- My daughter’s senior trip (looks like Seattle and Portland). She and I will probably go by ourselves for one last, great trip. (BTW, we gave a senior trip to my son too and he went back to see friends in Michigan.)
- Our family and my parents thought about heading to St. Thomas, but decided against it. We were going to go in May, but it’s so nice here then we decided to wait until next winter. Thanks to the HGTV show “Caribbean Life”, I’m now very interested in St. Thomas (don’t think we’d move there but who knows) and I want to get to know it better. So why not a trip? Hopefully next January or so we’ll head down, rent a house with a few bedrooms, and see St. Thomas, St. John, Tortola, Virgin Gorda, etc.
- Various trips around Colorado. We’ve lived here a year and a half now and have a TON to see.
- Moving my daughter to college in Virginia in late summer. Ugh. I don’t want to think about it. I’m very happy for her but will be so sad to see her go.
- Headed back to Iowa for my college homecoming in late September. I went back last year and had such a good time I’m going again. Will see my parents then too.
- Trip to Dallas in October. My sister-in-law lives there so we’re headed to see her family.
In addition to all that, my Dad will be here in June.
I hope to post on our travels so you can see what we’re up to. After all, this is a big part of retirement, right? 馃檪
So that’s it for us. What vacation plans do you have for 2017?
BTW, I realize that the year is one-quarter over, so include any vacations you’ve already taken this year.
Blog Announcement
Since we’ll all be taking vacations throughout the summer, ESI Money will move to two posts per week from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
We’ll go back to three posts per week in the fall when things usually get back to normal.
Have a GREAT summer!!!!!!
photo credit: TrotterFechan The Last Flight via photopin (license)
Hank says
We’re going to Italy for a week this Christmas. We’re tired of spending money on a lot of presents for our children that they forget about less than a week later. We want to spend our money on experiences instead of just “things”.
ESI says
Wow. What a GREAT way to spend Christmas!!!
VagabondMD says
Fantastic! Love Italy ??! A gift that will bring back great memories for the rest of your lives.
Erik @ The Mastermind Within says
I don’t have any vacation plans as of now. I’m young (24) and accumulating assets and building passive income – The $1,000 I could spend on a trip would be money better used for investments or an emergency fund.
I completely understand why people love traveling, but I’m not there yet.
Thanks for sharing ESI
ESI says
I didn’t take vacations the first several years of my career either (other than to visit family).
You have plenty of time to travel. Just sit back and enjoy all the great places people will share today. Maybe you’ll get some inspiration for the future. 馃檪
Jeff B. says
We spend two weeks in England and Scotland for our honeymoon. First for both of us. I was 33, wife was 30. You have plenty of time to travel, but when you are young is the best.
Jeremy says
Ireland in August. Staying local and going to Buffalo for a few days in July/August (we always seem to miss the culture of our local cities).
All flights (Business Class to Ireland) and hotels booked using points and miles from credit card sign up bonuses.
ESI says
Never been to Ireland but would LOVE to go.
Great job on the points! That’s the way to do it!!!!
K D says
We’ll take an anniversary trip to Charleston SC next month.
We’ll go to New England to see family a couple times this summer.
We’re looking into renting a cabin this summer in PA.
We’ll travel to Iowa to visit family in late spring, and probably also during the summer, fall, and at Christmas time.
ESI says
Did I know you have family in Iowa? What part of the state?
My family is in southeast Iowa…
Dub says
Great to see that your daughter is going to school in Virginia. VA has some great schools and is beautiful year-round. But I’m biased – I grew up there (mostly) and also attended college in the Hampton Roads area.
I also lived in Dallas for 7 years. I suggest trying out Rudy’s Barbecue while you’re there. Finger licking good!
So far this year My Wife and I have been to Dubai and London. Planning to spend a week or so in South Carolina and Kentucky this summer to visit family.
ESI says
Yes, I LOVE VA too. It’s one of the handful of states that rivals CO IMO. I worked there as an intern when Reagan was president (yep, I’m old) and enjoyed everything about it.
I’m familiar with Rudy’s. We lived in OKC for a couple years and I was at Rudy’s quite often. Awesome BBQ!
That’s great that you’re getting to travel to such awesome cities. I’ve never been to Dubai but have been to London a couple times and would love to go back. Perhaps once the kids are gone since I think my wife has never been.
Linda says
I have a long weekend planned in the Tampa, Florida area at the end of this month visiting friends.
I’m going to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks with a friend for 10 days at the beginning of June.
I going to Scotland for 9 days with some girlfriends in mid-September. We’re staying 4 nights in Edinburgh then taking a 4 night Scottish Highlands guided tour.
Not sure about the rest of the year, but hope to get at least one more trip in somewhere!
ESI says
My aunt lived in Tampa for many years, so I was there often. Really enjoyed it.
My parents went to Yellowstone last year and absolutely loved it. We were going to go this past fall but kids’ work schedules got in the way. Funny that the kids are the only ones who have jobs in our house! 馃檪
I’ve only been “through” Scotland on business. Didn’t have time to see anything really. I bet it will be amazing.
Linda says
Tampa is a great place! I lived there for close to 20 years and still have an annual pass to the Lowry Park Zoo. I have lots of friends there and try to visit several times a year. Alliegent Air flies direct from Asheville to Clearwater and I take full advantage of their cheap flights!!!
Lisa says
Spending a week in Banff, Canada and Glacier National Park in June hiking and kayaking.
We are planning a long weekend in Washington DC with the kids (adult) in May. We put in a request to tour the Capital and the Whitehouse. Still waiting to hear.
In July, we will be glamping for 3 nights in Potter County, PA (aka God’s Country).
ESI says
Love, love, love DC! Been there several times and hope to get back either this fall (longshot) or next spring. Since my daughter will be going to school close, it’s a no-brainer.
I lived in Pittsburgh for five years but haven’t heard of Potter County. What am I missing?
Lisa says
My son moved to Arlington, VA after graduating college last year. He is minutes from DC. We love visiting him. So much to see!! With your daughter going to college there, definitely take advantage of the opportunity as much as possible.
Potter County is in Northern PA, not far from the NY border. It is about mid-way through the state. The Susquehanna State Forest is there along with several state parks. There’s ATV trails, hiking, biking and kayaking…..all the things we love to do.
The magic bean counter says
Sounds like you guys have some great trips planned.
We are opting for a staycation this summer and then a ski trip in your own Colorado around Christmas time. Cant wait!
ESI says
That sounds like a great plan. Christmas here is amazing!
Amy @ Life Zemplified says
Sounds like a good mix of travel for you and the family. I empathize with you on moving your daughter to college.
Spent 10 days in Florida in February. Pick-up mom from there again soon to come back North and will take her back in the fall. We have a small cabin on a very small lake that we stay at often in the summer on mini-vacations. We aren’t spending $ on additional travel right now. That’s what our retirement will be for 馃檪
Wishing you a wonderful summer as well!
ESI says
Yes. I’m dreading her being away from home but excited for her as I know she’ll have a blast.
Tony says
We did So Cal vacation (not business for once!) in February. Stayed in Dana Point and blitzed everything from whale watching to Joshua Tree NP to Balboa Park.
We split the kids for Easter so no one pouts about how “Mom and Dad never visit me”. Mom is flying to Denver for daughter time, I’m going to Iowa City to see son and DIL.
Vancouver for more whale watching (out on a tiny little zodiac in a survival suit) in June. After that, nothing planned yet.
And, yes, you’re right. It is, finally, time to enjoy it a little bit. Wife used to grumble (just a little) about aggressive saving and investing. Now I get told (very occasionally!) that (just maybe!) I might have been right…
?
ESI says
Ha! I love it when I’m right too!!!! 馃檪
L says
Central California to see my brother and his wife with a drive up the coast to San Francisco for a few days around my wife’s birthday. Airfare paid for with credit card miles and hotel from Hotwire.
In July planning to join my wife for her typical week in the midwestern resort area where she grew up. Last year a family friend who is an employee of one of the resorts was able to arrange a substantial complimentary lodging upgrade for us. Hoping for the same this year.
Your plans sound great. Would love to be in the mountains again. Cheers!
ESI says
Those are three words I hardly ever see together: “midwestern resort area”. Ha! I’ve lived in most the midwestern states too.
All I can think of is Wisconsin Dells. Is that correct? My kids have been there several times with their grandparents and love it there.
But maybe I’m missing something else great???????
L says
Ask Physician on Fire about that.
Full Time Finance says
Sounds like an action packed summer. We went to Martinique in February. In May we now have a parents only trip to an all inclusive in Playa Del Carmen planned (a bit spur of the moment, more info to come on the blog in May). Sprinkled throughout the summer we have various weekend camping trips (tent and all). In August we go to Maine with my in laws for a week in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. Finally my wife has decided if she can find a way to pay for it out of points (beyond what we already have planned) we’re doing Disney in December. I’m not sure how well the last one will happen as we’re independently travel hacking this trip from the others. All the others will be paid for by credit card points by mid summer.
ESI says
How was Martinique? I’d love to go there someday.
Full Time Finance says
Fantastic. We did some hiking up the volcano (stunning) and hit some great white sand beaches. The people are very friendly, going out of their way to show us around. The only down side is very few people speak English. Luckily my wife speaks French or we would have been lost. It is not like France on the continent where everyone seems to speak English and just sometimes chooses not to.
Paul says
October is the right month to visit Dallas – what part of town will you be in?
We’ll have our annual trip to Japan to visit in-laws this summer, and will sprinkle some spur-of-the-moment trips around that.
Enjoy the travels!
ESI says
I will be downtown in Dallas — going to FinCon (wife is coming for a few days of vacation before the conference). Are you going?
Amanda @ centsiblyrich says
We decided to let each of our kids choose a “senior” vacation too. My son hasn’t decided yet (he’ll be a senior next year), but is leaning toward Hawaii!!?? We’ll see…
We just got back from Orange Beach, Alabama 2 weeks ago, so that will probably be our biggest trip this year. We usually take 2-3 one week vacations, but the kids want to be home more this year. We do have plans to rent cabins at various lakes in the Midwest and take our boat, so we’ll spend a few long weekends doing that. And I’ll be in Dallas in October too!
Thanks for sharing your plans – I love the idea of renting a house in the Caribbean. Can’t wait to hear more about that.
ESI says
I’m on the same page as your son! 馃檪
Looking forward to meeting you in person in Dallas!
VagabondMD says
January – Scottsdale, AZ (part business, part pleasure)
March- Costa Rica (spring break)
May- New Orleans (medical conference and family meet-up)
July- NYC (daughter attending musical theater camp, dad tagging along)
August- Grand Canyon River Trip- 221 mile raft trip down Colorado River, medical “meeting” 馃槈
ESI says
That’s an awesome list!
Where did you stay in Costa Rica — at a resort or did you rent a home?
VagabondMD says
We stayed in resorts in Costa Rica. Tabacon Resort in the LaFortuna/Arenal Volcano area and Hotel Paridor in the Manuel Antonio area.
Maria says
So fun reading everyone’s trips. In the process of planning a family trip for my middle daughters graduation from nursing school this June. My youngest is away at nursing school 1 1/2 hours away and she was just here a week ago for spring break. She left her car/apartment keys in her boyfriend car and we were suppose to overnight them so she could come home this Wednesday for an appointment and Easter weekend. Dad and I jumped in the car and drove them to her and took her out to dinner. Miss my girl so much. Two years down and two more to go. Good luck on your daughters college experience.
ESI says
Ugh. I’m missing my daughter already… 馃檨
It’s nice that your daughter is so close. Mine is going to VA (we live in CO). It’s almost a whole country away!!!!
I agree…it’s fun to read everyone’s plans!
Maria says
I didn’t think about it till we actually had to leave her. She had applied at 10 schools and more then half were a plan ride away. I feel very blessed she’s so close.
Laurie says
This year is a big vacation year for our family! We’ll head to Seabrook Island (SC) next week (counting down the days, since in New Hampshire there’s still snow on the ground!). Since I’m a teacher, I’ll take our two boys and road trip down to NC, SC, and Georgia during the entire month of July. In December we’re planning a three-week vacation to Chile, where my husband’s from, to visit family. We’ll take a vacation within a vacation up to the Atacama Desert while we’re there.
Enjoy all of your vacations coming up and your last few months with your daughter! I know that has to be bittersweet!
wishicouldsurf says
A couple of fun trips planned – family vacation with my parents, with all my siblings and their significant others and families at a house in Telluride, CO for a week. After that my daughter and I (husband has to be put on a plane to go back to work) are going to hit the Mighty 5 national parks and some state parks in Utah on the drive back to SoCal. We haven’t figured out all the plans yet, but I’m going to involve the 9 year old with the planning so she is more excited than she already is with the trip. I will be early retired by then (June 30th exit date!), so I have all the time in the world to enjoy that. It will be hot, but I think it will still be fun. In October I’m doing 10-12 days in Ecuador! I’ll renew our national park pass for the Utah trip and the plan is to use some of those points we have accumulated to pull that trip off on a shoestring and test out my budget with travel in the first month of FIRE. 馃檪
Mike H says
My wife, daughter and I are currently on a 10 day vacation- we started in Vienna for two days, then moved on to Salzburg for 3 days- travelling around town by bicycle under some very awesome clear spring days with cold mornings and comfortable afternoons. Tomorrow we go to Hallstatt for a few days before going back to Vienna and home. Austria is really up there with the best places I’ve been to in Europe. Not that expensive with the weak Euro and a delightful place all around. If I didn’t have to go back to work I’d spend the entire summer here!
Have a nice vacation or three this year!
-Mike
ESI says
That sounds awesome! Good for you guys. I loved Austria as well (I went after I got my MBA, many years ago.)
PEG says
Going to Michigan in June to attend my niece’s high school grad party. ESI, do you host grad parties for your kids?
ESI says
We give them a choice. My son had a party of family and a few friends. My daughter most certainly will not. She’s not that into parties.
Amy says
We went on the 2017 JoCo Cruise out of San Diego–board gaming and general nerdery–back in March and are already booked for the 2018 cruise! It was that awesome!
ESI says
I love to cruise! Not sure about a board game cruise, but maybe…was chess an option?
Dads Dollars Debts says
We have already gone to Seattle, Cabo San Lucas, Nashville and New Orleans. We are going to Colorado in June and from there who knows. A lot of travel with a toddler (it took us 17 hours to get back from New Orleans- quite painful), but worth it.
Safe travels!
ESI says
Great trips so far!
Where are you going in CO?
Dads Dollars Debts says
Meeting my brother, his family and my parents there. I think we are going to Vail or around those parts for a few days of hiking!
Mike says
Barcelona next month where I was able to snag a round trip, direct flight out of JFK for $385. Later in the year to Austria and Germany. My plane ticket is paid for using airline miles and 5 of my 10 nights will be covered by hotel points. Nothing like traveling on points to keep your costs down!
ESI says
Those are some GREAT cities! As a soccer fan, I’d LOVE to visit Barcelona.
Glen says
I retired 21 months ago at 65…And live in a suburb of Atlanta.
Since then we have:
1. Gone to Istanbul and then a cruise of the Turkey and Greek Islands and ended up in Athens on the Silver Seas for a surprise wedding anniversary.
2. Went to the Grand Hotel in Mackinaw Island, MI for a flower show.
3. Visited relatives in Wisconsin and attended a Green Bay Packer game
4. Attended a family reunion in Houston
5. Went to northern Vietnam, junk boat cruise of Hai Long Bay, Java, Bali, and Komodo Island
6. To Florida – Hutchinson Island for a week
7. Nashville to go to the Grand Ole Opry, etc
8. Attended a wedding of a nephew in Houston
9. Cruise of the France and Italian Rivera and a stay in Florence
10. Safari in Kenya and Tanzania
11. Paris for surprise wedding anniversary trip of 8 days
12. New Orleans and stayed on Bourbon Street hotel
13. Attended sons wedding in Portland, ME and also visited Boston and Bar Harbor
14. Danube River cruise for Christmas Markets – 2015
15. Three weeks in Honolulu Jan 2016
16. Another trip to Orlando and Hutchinson Island, FL
17. Spokane and then to Glacier National Park
18. Rhine River cruise for Christmas and New Year – 2016
19. Mexico City and tour of many Mayan ruins in Oaxaca, Merida, Palenque
19. Just returned 4/10/17 from 15 day trip to Japan and for cherry blossoms with a tour thru the country on bullet trains, and then a few days in Honolulu on the return.
When not traveling we split our time between Atlanta suburb home and our mountain cabin in northern Georgia.
Up next for 2017:
Yellowstone Park, Cruise on the Silver Seas from Lisbon to northern France and then Paris, Family reunion in Wisconsin, Dominican Republic resort, Adriatic cruise and then northern Italy lakes region, private 15 day tour of Morocco. I’m sure we will plan a few other trip for fun and learning and adventure!
Living the dream
ESI says
Wow, you are living the dream. I could learn a lot from you. Congrats!!!!
The Foxy Dad says
Wow! That’s awesome! Visited Istanbul and Athens as a kid – incredible places. I coached a football game in Spokane this year and got to tour the riverfront – they’ve done some serious work to spruce that area up.
Jeff B. says
How is Sliver Seas and how was the Christmas Market cruse?
BPDubs says
Holy Guacamole! That is definitely living the dream!
Brian - Rental Mindset says
Heading to Mexico on Saturday! It is going to be a busy summer too with at least 5 different trips, some long, some short. It’s so easy to do before kids, we are taking advantage of it!
HM says
We travel on my points, so as others have said, that sure softens the financial blow of travel.
We go to Hawaii for 10 days every May and have really fallen in love with it since moving to California 5 years ago. This year we’re going to Kauai, but we really like Maui and spent our other vacations there. My wife’s older sister and her family are going to be there with us.
We’ll also do a week in Cabo San Lucas for Thanksgiving with one of my wife’s sisters and her family.
You see the theme, but we try to kill two birds with one stones if we can. We can only take so much vacation so we pick a place we want to go and then try to convince at least one of our siblings or parents to join us. Then we don’t have to spend one our vacations visiting a place we wouldn’t otherwise visit AND we can get some free babysitting. 馃檪
The Foxy Dad says
1. Went to San Francisco with my wife for anniversary.
2. Going to Kona with my wife and daughters (and mother-in-law) this summer.
3. Hoping for a winter – Thanksgiving or Christmas – trip to NYC to visit my dad and grandparents.
ESI says
You’re not doing the Iron Man, are you???? 馃槈
The Foxy Dad says
Haha. I wish. I’ve run some races with very little to no training simply because a friend said they wanted a partner. I’ll be doing some this summer, but an Ironman might be too ballsy on my current regimine. Soon though. Soon.
Melissa C says
We are traveling to Ireland in the Fall and also beaching it a few weeks at Hilton Head, SC. Y’all should head over to the south side of US when you move your daughter to Virginia. If she is I Charlottesville, it would be a great time to visit Monticello, various wineries and D.C.!
ESI says
We did that last year while looking at colleges. Here’s a quick recap of that trip (exactly a year ago today):
https://esimoney.com/our-college-selection-trip/
Melissa C says
Just read the post so sounds like you have Va and D.C. Covered. Come on down our way to Tennessee – Great Smokey Mountains, Pigeon Forge/Dollywood etc.. And if you want to save $ on lodging – check out couch surfing!
ESI says
Perhaps we’ll do that — we LOVE TN (used to live in Nashville).
Mel says
Going to see 2 friends in Michigan next week. One in Detroit (how exciting!) and one in Flint (haven’t visited him since he moved there in 2010 so I think he finally deserves my visit :). By the way, I’m not retired yet (single, never been married, just turned 50 last January). Just recently joined esimoney to get some knowledge on how to achieve financial freedom in the next 10 years. I hope I’m not late in this journey.
ESI says
Not too late at all! Welcome!
I used to live in Grand Rapids, MI and would like to get back sometime.
Jeff B. says
We have been to NOLA once this year, going again in August. Going to South America in July for 10 days. We have various weekend get aways. Next year is a River Cruise in Portugal, and possibly India since the wife has to go one more time for work. Then a 3-4 days in the Maldives. For retirement, we plan to never live in Houston during the summer and head to Portland, Lake Tahoe or airbnb some place in Europe.
Todd says
Went to Aruba in Jan. Will be going to Mexico in June, Honduras (mission trip) in July, California in Sept, Italy in Oct, and Nashville in Nov…. we are busy traveling next few years.
Brian says
I’m enjoying ur site. We both got our BS degree in Southern VA & I got to shake Pres. Reagan’s hand (before he was elected) when he visited the college we were attending (I’m old too). 馃檪 ….love Southern VA.
We’ve been semi-ER’d for 2.5 years. Upcoming travel: 1 week (near Tampa 馃檪 ) to visit family end of this month. Camping for a week over Memorial Day (destination yet to be determined). 1 week in western PA visiting family the end of June/July. 2 weeks camping in August for the solar eclipse in Grand Tetons / Yellowstone area. 2 weeks camping in Sept. with family in Southern Utah as they want to ride some of the Paiute ATV trail. Dec. 3 we leave on a cruise from LA to Chile & then spend Christmas in Ecuador for a couple of weeks (I was a foreign exchange student in ’79 & lived with a family in Quito & we keep in touch). We’ve taken to doing a 5-6 week trip each year since “semi-ER” & use a cruise as part of either getting there or returning. Italy 2 years ago, & France/Spain in 2016 then trans-Atlantic cruise back to FL both trips. You can get some REALLY good deals on trans-Altantic / repostitioning cruises…. just FYI 馃檪
May be a couple more spur-of-the-moment camping trips thrown in.
Kepp up the good wok & enjoy ur travels!
ESI says
Welcome! Thanks for reading!
What part of Western PA? I met my wife when we lived in Pittsburgh.
My wife likes the “get off the ship and visit the island” part of cruising — doesn’t like the ride on the ship as much. Otherwise, we’d be all over a repositioning cruise.
Brian says
Punxsutawney, PA ….ya, I know 馃槈
We too enjoy the ports more, but when we have the time & it’s the same price or cheaper than flying ……… it becomes a no brainer for us.
Jeff B. says
Got an email from Royal Caribbean, 14 Day cruise from Barcelona to Tampa in December 2018. $525 for an inside cable per person, $600 for a window. If you like cruises, this is quite a deal.
ESI says
How much for a balcony? I need my view!!!! 馃槈