https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 20:30:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-budget#post-1326057 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 15:30:51 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1326057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sparkler: I totally agree. I am a notorious spendthrift, but I have never regretted the money I spent on travel. Cars, houses, that I have regretted!</p> <p>I'm not sure what the ages of your children are, or where you live, but if not being oceanfront is something you're going to have to consider, I would suggest possibly trying out a place where that is a feature of the experience? As a kid my family always stayed on Sea Pines at HHI, and we never had ocean front. But we loved the bike trails and so it didn't feel like an imposition to bike to the beach, plus it was shaded. It is less fun to be at the beach at a place where it is just a giant row of highrises, and then the people off of the beach have no view and have to traverse a crowded street to get to the beach. My parents took us to HHI when I was around 10 and the kids were 2 and 4. We rented a bike with a trailer for the twins and my mom had a bike with a baby seat on the back, and that's how we got to the ocean every day! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-budget#post-1325938 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 15:05:37 +0000 Sparkler 1325938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks guys...maybe I am just looking to assuage my guilt on spending so much on vacations in general! I feel like growing up I had such fond memories of our family vacations and I think my husband and I need to just come to grips with the fact that now that there are 4 of us instead of 2, things are going to cost twice as much! I think I am just hesitant to cut some corners (staying in a one bedroom room or not being beach front, for example) and having that take away from our experience. With naps, we are in the room so much, that I think I just need to come to grips with the fact that at this stage it's okay to splurge on what makes the vacation feel most worthwhile! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-budget#post-1325864 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 14:53:16 +0000 Mamaof2 1325864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We don't fly - we drive (10 hours) to Myrtle Beach every year and it costs probably $1500 or so? We also have 2 kids and we grocery shop and eat most meals in the condo! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-budget#post-1325863 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 14:53:11 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 1325863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that a lot goes into a decision like this. However, for a family of three, driving to the beach (we live in the south and have a lot of options), we shoot for 1,000 dollars. Dunno if we could get a full week out of that. We went with friends last year and spent a little over 600, but that was sharing the cost of a three bedroom condo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-budget#post-1325842 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 14:50:26 +0000 mrs. bird 1325842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i don't think this is something you can really make a blanket statement about what you should be spending- so much goes into it! where you're going, if you're flying, do you need to rent a car, are you eating out every meal or cooking some there, are you hanging out on the beach the whole time or buying amusement park tickets or renting ski equipment/lift tickets/lessons for a family of 4 for a week? the variables are just too great. set a budget you're comfortable with, then plan your trips accordingly. </p> <p>lots of people look to ditch their timeshare weeks &amp; you can rent a condo in a vacation area for very little, have your own kitchen &amp; cook many of your meals to save money, but for some people, it's not a vacation if they have to cook &amp; clean up after themselves, so it depends on the individuals. there are lots of ways to cut costs. prioritize the things that make it feel like a vacation for you, do something memorable, and skimp on the rest if you have to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-budget#post-1325799 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 14:44:39 +0000 looch 1325799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Try Costco Vacations...we got a fabulous deal on a week in Disney World, staying off site at a 2 bed/2 bath condo, with a rental car, flights and park tickets. The deal was better than staying on property, albeit without a rental car, but it worked out fabulously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-budget#post-1325792 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 14:43:03 +0000 pinkcupcake 1325792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, with two kids, it'll quickly add up, especially airfare! Just paying for four flights would probably cost around $1,600 - 2,000. Throw in hotel, food, rental car, etc - I feel like a week-long vacay for a family of four would probably cost around $3,000 - 4,000. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/vacation-budget#post-1325768 Tue, 07 Jan 2014 14:38:18 +0000 Sparkler 1325768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you and your SO plan and pay for your own family vacations and you have at least 2 kids, how much is your total budget for each family vacation? All vacations in total each year?</p> <p>My little family typically takes 2 big vacations a year that we pay for everything for (lodging, flights, food) a week long summer vacation, a fun beach vacation in the winter. The budget that I set for this when it was just the 2 of us has quickly doubled and I am looking for a reality check. We do other weekends away with family and friends, but I don't count that in our vacation budget :wink: </p> <p>Since our family has grown to 2 LOs, my husband is starting to think the amount of $$ we spend on vacation is getting out of hand. With 2LOs, we have been renting 2 bedroom condos or houses with kitchens, laundry, etc. as it makes the experience SO much more enjoyable, but so much more expensive! I think each year family vacations are the highlights of the year and they help me slug through work, but I am wondering if he has a point. </p> <p>Any thoughts on what is reasonable? </p>