Comments on: The Time of Your Life

By: Annie Binns

Annie Binns — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 21:13:53 +0000

I’ve been catching up on my feed reader and just ran across this post. Talk about a huge “AH HA” moment … enough that I’m heading to the library in about 5 minutes to go get this book. @Kris’ comment also rang true for me – an ideal vacation would be if I could just send my family somewhere fun and I could stay home and putter for a week!

By: JanB

JanB — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:30:19 +0000

Great post. I have done extensive travels (by U.S. standards) quite cheap. It was one of the best times in my life. I lived for over a year out of a backpack and when I came home I got rid of so much stuff! Working overseas is a great way to get to see places you normally would not. I went right after college, but opportunity is still there if you are interested as you get older. You make money while you are there and we took day, weekend and time off to see the sites. We stayed in hostels (just sleeping there anyway) or camped. I went with a program called BUNAC (www.bunac.org) which is a work exchange program. We actually came back from our trip with money!!

By: Anna

Anna — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:12:58 +0000

I think this is a really interesting idea. I think there’s quite a bit to be said for pairing down a vacation to focus on the essentials.

What I find true in my own travels, however, is the education. Traveling in a foreign country, especially one where you don’t speak the language and the customs are very different, are an eye-opening way to learn about yourself and our world. While there’s a lot to be said for a frugal vacation, some experiences cannot be replicated close to home.

By: Strider

Strider — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:16:08 +0000

@Michelle, Comment #11

I don’t know where you’re going in Scotland but you can catch some pointers on what to do on my wife’s blog: http://www.xanga.com/calinda

http://www.kayak.com – best place for comparing flight prices AND when is the best time to fly (if your plans are flexible)

Now is not too early to buy your tickets. We bought ours 4-5 months in advance.

By: theBadLibrarian

theBadLibrarian — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:13:38 +0000

“+ You had the freedom to do whatever you wanted.
+ You had few, if any, obligations.
+ You were footloose and fancy-free.
+ You weren’t burdened down with STUFF.”

The first two are very expensive, if you want to maintain them long-term (and eat, and sleep in a bed) you need considerable financial resources. That’s why such fleeting moments are so precious for most of us.

By: Amber

Amber — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:55:26 +0000

I’ve been thinking about this post for a couple of days — Trent, you really hit a nerve! I agree that being “free” definitely is one of the best parts about traveling. But I feel free from everyday responsibilities even when I go to visit my family.

To me, traveling abroad is much more than a good time. I think it’s important to see how other people live and experience their culture firsthand. The history lesson that often goes along with it is valuable too. Oftentimes, it is easier to be fully immersed in a place by spending less; it usually costs less to stay where the locals live and to eat in their restaurants.

Overall, I think traveling as a kind of education — something that’s necessary and worth sacrificing for. We get so wrapped up in our daily routines, that it’s sometimes hard to think beyond our families or our local communities. Getting away from it all can be fun, but it also can offer a good dose of perspective.

By: kz

kz — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:04:38 +0000

When my husband and I got married last year, there were so many people who were horrified that we planned to camp for our honeymoon. I figured the choice was simple – I could either go someplace really nice for two days and come home having exhausted our budget (yes, we paid for our $12k wedding, including *everything* except my engagement ring, in cash that we saved over 11 months – I know we could have done it cheaper, but it’s exactly what we wanted and it was paid for) OR we could go camping in a provincial park in Canada (we live in Michigan) for 9 days, including hotel stays on the way out and back, and come home with extra money. Since I think camping with my husband is fun anyway, it was completely a no brainer.

By: Battra92

Battra92 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:21:55 +0000

Best time of my life? Of jeez, I really can’t say I’ve had one. Honestly, I’ve never been able to take big vacations or just be free. Even when I go on vacation (the rare anime con trip) I tend to be frugal buying cheap food from basic restaurants (sometimes eating out of grocery stores) and such.

The other funny thing is whenever I go to an anime con, I always buy a figure or two for my collection so I can’t say they are uncluttered or really cheap for me.

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:06:28 +0000

This reminds me of something my mother told me years ago. Her sister-in-law (my father’s sister), who was always well dressed, thought my mother didn’t spend enough on clothes.

My mother, too, was well dressed — she just was very careful with her money. Seeing the two women together, you would not have been able to tell which one spent more on her clothes.

By: No Debt Plan

No Debt Plan — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:00:47 +0000

Now imagine saving all of that money, living frugally, and then being able to live a life of freedom like that all of the time — rather than 2 weeks out of the year.

That’s the goal for me.

By: Rosie

Rosie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:27:11 +0000

@ Kris (comment #10):

Thank you so much for posting that!!! WE are wired differently–believe me, you are not the only one to feel that way.

As always, Trent, food for thought.

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:45:09 +0000

And as another lesson, like you mentioned the appeal of the vacations and their enjoyability is that you were free. When in debt, you’re not free, you are constantly checking your statements, making payments, etc.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:23:58 +0000

Trent – it was your honeymoon!!! – the best part occurs in the hotel – no matter how much spent on the room.

By: Lurker Carl

Lurker Carl — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:00:14 +0000

Love, celebration and commitment. Vowing to forge a life-long relationship and build a strong future are the spiritial hallmarks of a marriage ritual. A wedding is an expression of joy and promise to be shared with family and friends.

Opulence, extravagance and self-gratification. So many weddings project a perception of wealth and glamour that everyone knows does not mirror the family fortune. Why begin your marriage with a lie?

By: Frugal Bachelor

Frugal Bachelor — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:40:36 +0000

” … freedom to do whatever you want … few, if any, obligations …footloose and fancy-free … not burdened down with STUFF.”

Ah, the life of a bachelor with no children and no house. Life is practically a permanent vacation. :-)

By: kellykelly

kellykelly — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:05:49 +0000

I need a lot of stimulation. I can get only so much of that locally. I treasure my memories of my trips to other states and countries, the discoveries, the not knowing what’s around the bend.

Sometimes you DO have to spend money to get a certain feeling.

I desperately miss travelling.

KellyKelly

By: Saver Queen

Saver Queen — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:56:27 +0000

I couldn’t agree more! And ironically, we often get sucked in to making purchases in order to acquire those precious moments, feelings of freedom, joy, like cars, motorcycles, trips and even clothes. When I look back at one of the happiest times of my life, it was falling in love with my partner. I was filled with so much joy that nothing could compare to it. I remember feeling like I needed nothing more in the world. At one point we were given a gift certificate to a very fancy restaurant. We enjoyed it but we both knew that we would have also enjoyed a Big Mac just as much; we were so over-the-moon, head-over-heels in love with each other. The times in my life when I have felt free and confident have also been my most joyous and they have never had any correlation to my earnings and certainly nothing to do with the money I spent.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:32:40 +0000

For you frugal wedding planners, how about skipping the engagement ring? Or having a wedding ring that costs a few hundred rather than thousands (or more)? There. You just saved enough for a honeymoon in Italy.

My point/advice is to not be a sucker for the sales pitch. Get something nice and meaningful that you love but don’t bother feeling like it is an investment because I doubt you are planning on selling it.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:54:44 +0000

This came at a great time. I am planning my wedding right now for two years down the road (my fiancee is in the Army on deployment) and we are determined to save enough for the wedding and honeymoon. I am very lucky that my Grandmother owns a house on a beach that we could stay at for free as a wedding gift, but some people think I live too frugally and am shortchanging myself. Thank you for reminding me that I am actually doing the exact opposite of shortchanging myself and my soon to be husband.

By: s

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:52:21 +0000

Hi Trent,
I know cents and sense is your topic. That book
sounds interesting to read. I just think that you sometimes have to splurge. How would you know what it would be like if you never did this. I think the freedom was also that you were going to have great accomodations. This can be part of the fun. I know the bill is there when you get back.
At least you know you and your wife had a beautiful honeymoon. I myself don’t travel that much. I like the idea of traveling within your means just to get away with no worries and bill to pay when you return. I agree this is fun to just do what you want hopefully without being in debt. Debt is slavery. I see it this way too. Great post. Makes me think !!!!
S.