This picture was taken July 2011 on our trip to Costa Rica. We had rented a jeep and were aimlessly exploring and decided to stop for a burger on the side of the road. While we were eating at the picnic table I spotted something in the trees beside the Hamburger stand. There were three small monkeys foraging for lunch. I snuck up with my brand new Rebel T3i camera and started taking pictures. Hubby came over and we stood there for 20 minutes just observing them, one of the most memorable unplanned moments of the trip. I took over 1000 pictures that trip. I spent good money on that camera and have taken at least 1000 more pictures since. We only spent about $30 in souvenirs which tells you where our priorities lay - in the experience.
I love traveling. It is my thing. I am at my happiest visiting new cultures and experiencing new places. For ten years I was a travel agent for Thomas Cook Canada managing a travel agency. I left that business only because the business itself changed to where it became difficult to make a living. I still have an extreme love for travel.
We haven't traveled much since our trip to Costa Rica as spent most of the time concentrating on our downsize and move. Now all of that is done we are saving for the next big trip as I don't believe in taking vacations on credit.
I just received a large income tax refund of $1630 so $1480 of that has gone into the travel fund, and $150 has gone into the sealed pot for Christmas 2013. We are traveling by ferry and car to Oregon for a family wedding in September but will mostly be visiting with American family and will only be gone for five days. Funds for that trip have already been saved. This new money is the start of saving for our next International adventure. Where are we going? I prefer to leave that up in the air right now as have found that our money goes further when we take travel specials that only generally come up within three months of travel. This trip will either take place early December 2013 or Spring/Summer 2014 depending on how busy our business is and how much money we can save before the trip.
Possible options are Europe, South America, Central America or the Caribbean. My preference is to go to a country that neither of us have been.
I spent 13 hours yesterday working at our Provincial Election to put additional money into the travel fund and Christmas fund. It was an extremely long and tiring day but so worth it when I know what the end result will be.
What are you saving for?
We are the same way about travel, we save before, so we aren't paying it off months after.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember Christmas Club savings accounts? You'd open an account at the bank and once every pay period you'd make a deposit. Then come Christmas, you'd withdraw the money and only spend that amount. Somehow our culture has gotten away from saving in advance for large purchases.
For travel and everything else, we set aside a fixed amount each month in that budget category. We'll be taking a vacation in September, and will have all the money we need for that trip before we leave. We weren't able to afford very much each month, this time around, so we scaled back our plans, instead of thought to "borrow" from our future.
I can't wait to hear where you're going for this next trip! Costa Rica must have been a trip to remember!
It seems hardly anyone saves up for things these days. My youngest stepson is saving up for his first car and is likely the rarity among his friends who have things handed to them from their parents. We believe in working for things in our family.
DeleteGreat photo!
ReplyDeleteI'm saving for Paris :). I was supposed to go this past April with my daughter but the opportunity came up for her to go to Africa with my husband so off they went, he used my Paris money but that's okay, it's going back into the fund now yay!
We don't travel on credit either. I couldn't imagine anything worse than coming back from a great holiday and having to pay it off.
We are off for a 5 day trip to Noosa in Queensland in June, but that's paid for too.
Paris is on our list too! We never quite spend all of our travel spending money so when we get back from a trip the leftover always goes into saving for the next holiday.
DeleteWe have a vacation savings account too, but since we're moving south, we figure we'll actually be living in our vacation spot for a while. :) The money that we were saving will now probably go toward paying for health insurance. If we're lucky enough to find jobs that pay benefits, well then that will be a huge plus for us.
ReplyDeleteWe are exploring our own back yard as well - the benefit to living in paradise! I wish you luck in your job hunt.
DeleteWe are just about to use the money we have saved. Although we are not traveling internationally, we are taking all our 4 children to see America. If you can't travel far, explore your own backyard!
ReplyDeleteNot sure where next though, maybe Europe or Australia. If I am not thinking about traveling, I am one sad momma!
That's one heck of a back yard Jennifer! With 4 children it will be an adventure, they will love it! Wish I could come
DeleteWe hope to explore more of the USA in 2014 with exception of our trip to Oregon this fall. We will be purchasing a newer car within the year and need to secure that first before we do any longer distance road trips. There is so much to see in the USA - I have seen very little and was born there so need to get out there.
DeleteThanks for visiting my blog and for your comment! With my mom just around the corner and yours moving just down the street I know how you will treasure that time together being neighbors!
ReplyDeleteI love to travel, but we travel somewhat locally. Maybe someday I will get to foreign parts that I long to see. We do not have a vacation planned just now, but our next trip is a few weeks in Dayton, OH to visit family and friends in July. We are still exploring Florida and see more and more every time we have guests who vacation with us! Monday we have three coming for a week and have lots of new places to see planned.
I have only been to Florida once and that was a brief stopover for a cruise. Definitely you live in a beautiful place!
DeleteI don't travel, but would love to 'one day'.... it sounds like that long hard day will definitely be a nice addition to your savings though!! :) Keep your eyes on the prize!!
ReplyDeleteExactly! I envision myself having coffee in Italy, or exploring ruins somewhere - much better than spending my hard earned dollars on Starbucks back home!
DeleteWow! I do LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've just spent a wonderful 30 minutes catching up on all the posts I've missed (due to getting on with those reports-but it's been worth it so I can go to Italy and not have to think of school).
I think we have so much in common, mortgages out of the way and now focused on amazing travel experiences and retirement planning.
Also not spending on the things that don't matter. I love your budget updates. I wish I was brave enough to colour my own hair, not that my hairdressers is expensive-£45 for cut and colour is half the normal price and I have it done 3 times a year so total budget is £135 plus tips.
So pleased to hear that your Christmas fund is coming along nicely. I don't blame you banking some of the balance. I did last month and although Mr Sft kept the amount a secret he did let slip it was a sensible thing to do.
It's wonderful that your Mum is now safe and sound, near to where you live. My parents are about 20 mins away and Mr Sft's (who are younger than mine) about 1 hour. We are very lucky that we are so close.
I'm looking forward to hearing about the wildlife experience you've booked.
Thanks for recommending TravelZoo. Never heard of them so I will look them up!
It really sounds like you are living the dream, thanks to being so brave to make that move and be self employed. I love your bird posts too, birds being one of my passions, our goldfinches don't look like yours at all. We sometimes see them around our cottage or in the wheat fields nearby.
We went to Costa Rica a few years back and loved it. A wonderful place, we travelled from Panama to Guatemala, what an amazing trip.
I am looking forward to hearing about your future travel plans...very exciting and so well deserved.
Sft x
Thanks - you are my role model as well! I can't wait to see pics of Italy - enjoy yourself!
DeleteJust found you via SFT. I used to manage a travel agents too. 17 years in travel and I loved it. Sadly the web killed off the agents and I had a major career change at 34 years old. Look forward to reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteFIB. X
Welcome! I still have a few friends in the industry but it is so hard to survive anymore. Cheers!
DeleteLove your blog saw you on SFT's blog
ReplyDeletehaving just bought a new car, that account is at zero again. we will pay ourselves into that account what it would cost on finance. I cant have finance due to it playing with my nerves. if we cant pay cash we cant have it.
Also saving for travelling. Firstly to Norway and then start again for next year where we hope to travel a few times to different parts of france at different times of the year. Catch a jazz fest or 2.
We are saving for a newer to us car as well as mine is getting too many kilometres on it. We hope to save some money then sell it privately and buy something about five years newer. I save for multiple things at the same time so don't get discouraged as MUST TRAVEL!
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