How Much Do You Spend on Vacation?
I'm a current analyst, and I am going to be lateralling to a different role this coming spring. I am planning on taking a month or two off in between jobs and want to do a bit of traveling. Tropical island is my destination of choice, and I want to take my gf with me. I haven't had the opportunity to travel much in my life so far, so this is all relatively new to me. I've been looking at some of the different islands, and all in it seems like I am going to be spending $5k+ for a week or so stay. Growing up I didn't have much, so spending that amount of money makes me a bit uneasy.
For perspective, I'd love to hear what some of the other guys on this site tend to spend on vacation. Am I spending way too much? Has anyone done any unique trips after their analyst years? Also, I am very much open to suggestions on where to go. Thanks!
Sounds about right to me for a good trip with upscale accommodations.
That seems totally fine. At the analyst level that is a nice but not over the top vacation. Enjoy it.
Also interested in this. Did a trip after college out to Vegas and I spent like $2000 with a few of my friends for 10 days or so. Want to do something again before associate
I’ve done many Vegas trips, starting at the analyst level when I had a similar budget (think I spent ~$2.5k including airfare) to the most recent that was many many times more.
Depending on the type of trip you want (high end food, nightclubs, golfing, etc) I think $5k gets you a great weekend if your friends are good with pitching in.
this is the type of area i'd spend money on. you get can more money, you literally cannot buy time back.
Weekend trips to vegas used to run ~2-3K a person including gambling losses (yes i fucking suck at sports betting). Your 5K for a week on a tropical island with your girlfriend sounds about right. Not overboard
Thanks for this perspective. Makes it really easy to rationalize now lol
Vacation is one of the few areas where I splurge. Enjoy yourself. You have limited time off, don't waste it trying to save 1k here or there that in the grand scheme of things is meaningless.
With that being said, I try to keep it reasonable. If I go to Europe, I'm not spending 500$ a night on a hotel room when $200 gets you an equivalent AirBnb with more space. I'm certainly not flying first class, which I think is a waste of money.
Which islands are you looking at? You'll get more bang for your buck in Central America vs the Caribbean, and I think it has a better vibe.
First class from NYC to DC? Total waste. First class on a 787 Dreamliner with full reclining seats on a 7 hour flight? Worth every penny
Ehhh, for only a 7 hr flight, after dinner and before breakfast wake-up, you're probably sleeping for like 3 or 4 hours. I'll take that savings and spend it on my destination.
I met a dude who spends like $10k on first class, but that's like his whole trip. Just flies and flies back. He really likes flying.
5k for a week isn't very good value wise IMO - that could instead give you a solid month of backpacking in euro
just about right to me, it's time you enjoy all your hardwork
I was traveling around the world for about 9 months after graduation. visited 30+ countries and had a time of my life (saw a lot of famous places, had 30+ local girls, tried local cuisines, etc.). spent about $10k on the whole trip. I stayed at cheap airbnbs and hotels from booking.com, ate at cheap restaurants (fast food, street food, in cheap countries I went to good restaurants that are super cheap for American standards), used public transport and local uber in places with bad public transport.
but yeah, other people spend $10k on a luxury hotel where they sit at the pool for 10 days sipping booze and seeing nothing. it's up to you how you want to travel.
This is my dream. Where did you go (Europe, South America, Asia)?
All 3.
Would I be able to Pm you about this? I’m graduating in spring and would love to do this (or atleast a shortened version) before starting full time in late Summer.
Sure.
I’e recommend Tulum if you’re looking for a good beach spot that’s good bang for your buck. A week at an all inclusive high end resort was less than $3k for myself and my girlfriend.
Also try to use credit card points if possible to get free flights or accommodations. This can save you a ton.
Enjoy the trip!
Second Tulum. Don't do all inclusive tho.. there are amazing bars+restaurants.
As a Mexican and environmentalist, please void Tulum. There is no infrastructure and the environment is hurting so bad. The second largest reef in the world is in Mexico and it is dying due to climate change and constant disregard by the government to develop Tulum for tourists with no regard for people who actually live there.
At what point did y'all decide to start paying for your girlfriend on vacation? A certain age, stage in your career, pay? Just curious since a few of you have mentioned it so far
I personally think it’s more dependent on if your gf can pay for it herself or not. If she doesn’t have the money, and you want to take her, then go for it. Spend time with people who make you happy
absolutely normal price for it
I spent all of COVID travelling while studying remote and it was a blast. Get an Airbnb in Southern Europe by the sea or a lake (You can get < 1000/month for a pretty large apartment in Turkey or the Balkans, even in a capital city) and just take it all in.
Spent like 12 gs traveling after I quite as an analyst. Not a single regret. That's what life is all about - to me anyway. What's the point of all that money you make if you aint gonna enjoy it a little
Seems normal
domestic vacations are a lot cheaper - $2-3k for me and +1 for a week
international is $3-10k, depending on how long, locations etc
— always pay more for the direct flight, unless it’s like triple the cost —
— generally ‘pay up’ that extra $50-100 night if it means going from holiday inn to a four seasons tier
~$5k - $10k for 3 nights usually. Two of us. I don't think you can enjoy nicer things once you have kids for a while so may as well do it now before kids. There's no fucking way I'm taking some mac and cheese eating 6 year old to a nice restaurant or I will die inside.
My vacation is usually once per 2 years, so I spend a lot during it.
It usually depends on the place I wanna visit. When I go abroad in Europe I spend too muchhh. When somewhere near the lake in my state....I spend only on gas and food, lol.
I usually spend between $2,000 and $5,000 on vacations.
Man it's wild seeing how much airfare and hotel rates have shot up in the intervening ~2 years since the pandemic began
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