Since I began writing about travel, it has been a constant theme that people can’t take a “real” family vacation anymore. The pile-up of work once people return to their jobs is one of the most common issues. They can’t afford to take a vacation.
When I speak with people in other countries, many are aware that we have a reputation as a “no-vacation nation”. They often wonder why we choose to go to work every day.
Statistics Don’t Lies.
Alamo Rent A Car’s recent survey confirms this apparent truth. Alamo Rent a Car’s survey shows that 38% of families go on week-long vacations while another 36% take 3-5 day trips.
The odds of taking a vacation of at least a week increase for people who are married (38% against 31% for non-married), hold the same job more than six year (46% against 35%f for workers in their workplace less than five years) and have an income of at least $75,000 (45% versus 35%).
Still, none of these statistics has reached the 50% threshold. That’s sad.
The world seems to know that we work ourselves to death. Stats show that we are working too much, and family time is the most affected. It’s depressing if we just leave it at that.
Family Vacations are Important.
Project: Time Off studied American vacation trends and found that families who planned ahead used more vacation time, and took longer trips. These family vacation planners also seem to be happier both at work and home. Katie Denis is the senior director of Project: Time Off. She says that “American workers face a crossroads: either reclaim their time off to reap the benefits or continue on the path of burnout and work martyrdom.”
How do you plan a vacation?
- Prioritize family vacations. Request vacation time as early as possible. You might be able to get more support if you plan your vacation outside of crunch time. A tax accountant would be wise to avoid scheduling vacation during the first half April. If you’ve set a date, stick to it.
- Plan your budget for vacation. It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money to have a great vacation. Take the scenic route and consider places that are within a few-hour drive. By sticking to a budget that is realistic, credit card bills will not pile up and everyone will be able to relax.
- Plan with everyone. When kids are involved in the planning of a vacation, they will enjoy it more and complain less. That sounds great, doesn’t it?
- Be realistic with your vacation schedule. This is something I have learned from experience. Trying to cover a whole destination in one trip will only lead to exhaustion. My favorite tip for a family vacation: Allow yourself to let go of the schedule, and just enjoy the trip (but be aware of your budget).
- Consider returning home early. Give yourself a buffer if you’re new to vacations lasting a week. You can use the last day to do the laundry, mow your lawn and prepare for returning to work. Although it is not ideal, it’s much better than returning home at the last minute to a frazzled state.
What happens if you are unable to take the full week off?
Make the most of your long weekends if you feel that you cannot take a week-long vacation. Sandwich a long weekend between your family getaway weekend and the vacation weekend. Use your vacation days to plan several long weekends during the year.
Here’s a few sources to help you get started:
- You can find a variety of holiday options on the tab.
- Alamo’s ” the Scenic Route” covers topics such as travel budgeting and places to visit, along with vacation planning tips.
A family vacation is achievable with a little bit of planning. You’ll be rewarded by your family and boss!
We must give up this notion of a “no-vacation nation” for good!
Alamo has allowed me to take part in this campaign, which will make vacation planning easier. All opinions are my own.