I think vacations are a waste of time.

michiganfarmer · #1 08/08/08, 04:32 AM

Vacations are decadent. They are a waste of money, time, and resources that should be spent operating, updating, and maintaining the homestead.

deaconjim · #2 08/08/08, 04:48 AM

Sometimes, it is necessary to spend some money, time, and resources to maintain the homesteader.

Bear in mind that the term "vacation" can mean a lot of things. Several of our vacations have been spent looking for our homestead. A vacation can be spent learning about skills and methods that can be useful to the homestead. Ours are always planned with our kids' education in mind (homeschooling being a part of our homesteading activities).

indypartridge · #3 08/08/08, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deaconjim

Sometimes, it is necessary to spend some money, time, and resources to maintain the homesteader.

Bear in mind that the term "vacation" can mean a lot of things.

Well said. Didn't Jesus retreat into the wilderness from time to time to re-charge his batteries?

booklover · #4 08/08/08, 05:03 AM

I agree with Deconjim. Additionally, sometimes people have the money to do both.

Ohio dreamer · #5 08/08/08, 05:20 AM

I think it depends on what the vacation is and the goals to be met. A gambling vacation, in my opinion, would be a waste of time and money. But something relaxing and/or educational is truly worth time and money as long as it is done reasonable (within your budget).

The vacation we just came back from -Venice, Italy, Southern France and Innsbruck, Austria, was well worth it (driven all in 7 days - so relaxing was not a good adjective to describe this vacation!).

As homeschoolers we were able to show our children different parts of the world, experience new cultures, and make memories of a lifetime. Now note, we are living in Europe at this time, so the cost is much lower then if we traveled from the US. And if we have to enduring living in this large city (we are NOT city people) then we better treat it like an adventure and take it on head first!

Added: When in the US vacations were not a normal part of our routine. The ones we did take we usually centered around a wedding or graduation type thing. The exception would be the year DH had to work in NC for a week (which he had to do often). He was going alone and taking the company car, so the kids and I jumped in and went along. Hotel and all DH's food was paid for so the kids and I rented a car (with the company discount) and had an adventure. A weeks vacation (for the kids and I) only cost us $300.

That said, I HATE TO TRAVEL, but I still think it was worth the time and money.

Txsteader · #6 08/08/08, 05:22 AM

What's a vacation?

MaineFarmMom · #7 08/08/08, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michiganfarmer

Vacations are decadent. They are a waste of money, time, and resources that should be spent operating, updating, and maintaining the homestead.

Decadent: Marked by excessive self-indulgence and moral decay.

Taking seven teenage girls camping in Baxter State Park, sleeping on 3/4" plywood in the bunkhouse one night and not showering daily, isn't my idea of self-indulgent or moral decay. How should I have spent my time, my money and my resources instead?

simplefarmgirl · #8 08/08/08, 05:51 AM

Vacation whats that,, some one has time for a vacation.. Come to NH and help me hay and get my fire wood in then I would have time for a vacation to.. Nope never had a vacation in 48 yrs.. I hate leaving home that much..LOL

cowboy joe · #9 08/08/08, 05:56 AM

Vacations have different meanings to many of us. I can't do the 'let's go out of town to a hotspot with lots of tourists" anymore. With critters to tend, this isn't an option anyway. Vacations around here mean not having to go to the full time job AND take care of the homestead. Instead, chores are done early then we get to spend the rest of the day doing family stuff. Yep, this sometimes includes a day at the local amusement / water park, a short drive to a lake with a decent beach, or an overnight camp out. Nothing says you have to spend a lot of money.

mamita · #10 08/08/08, 06:50 AM

I'm not into 'tourist traps', so I guess we have never really spent tons on a vacation. but if a person can afford it, then it can be a necessary thing. people have to also 'play', ya know? for us....vacation means I get to have my hubby all to myself...here in our favorite place on earth. now....THAT is worth more to me than anything.

via media · #11 08/08/08, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michiganfarmer

Vacations are decadent. They are a waste of money, time, and resources that should be spent operating, updating, and maintaining the homestead.

Just curious - Why do you feel this way? Did you just take (or witness) a vacation that was wasted time/money/resources?

/VM

chris30523 · #12 08/08/08, 07:08 AM

Just got back from mine. DH and I cannot go for more than an overnight together because of the animals so I go with 4 girlfriends to the beach and he goes with his hunting buddies in the fall. Our costs that way are split. I don't feel it is a waste of time because I come back recharged and ready to go.I need the break at least once a year cause I stay home24/7. Makes me less grumpy so I am sure DH feels the cost is worthwhile.

ericjeeper · #13 08/08/08, 07:38 AM

After the busy past few weeks that I have had.. We were due a vacation, So we flew to Florida. Enjoying some relaxing time tanning on the beach.kids and wife have been sleeping in. I have yet to sleep past seven am..I just get up and go for a walk around the neighborhood.
Now next week once I get home it is back to work,I have a few sales leads to make several window jobs being delivered Tuesday for installs..
We happen to work so we can enjoy vacations. We have done a pretty good job in seeing that our children have seen the wonders of the US and Canada.Yellowstone, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon,Mount Rushmore, the list goes on and on.

Kathy in MD · #14 08/08/08, 07:44 AM

My SIL is flying down to Mexico next week to lay in the sun…..Ocean City Maryland is only 3 hours away….her backyard is only 20 feet away….a waste of money, time, and resources ….absolutely

My sister was so excited about a free vacation…a friend has a chalet in Switzerland she can use…when I mentioned the air fare, the car rental, the food, etc…she hung up on me….a waste of money, time, and resources(not to mention common sense)…absolutely

Windy in Kansas · #15 08/08/08, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michiganfarmer

Vacations are decadent. They are a waste of money, time, and resources that should be spent operating, updating, and maintaining the homestead.

If you feel this way then you haven't ever NEEDED a vacation. I have worked for a couple of employers where one NEEDED to get away from the daily grind and BS to keep their sanity and health.

One employment had our day off shifting one day later each week and because our work week started on a Saturday it mean we would eventually have a Friday off and the first of the next week off, i.e. Saturday so got a three day weekend and if it feel on a holiday period it became a four day weekend. Having two days off together is wonder if the job is stressful. Having 3 or 4 is even better.

In some circumstances people NEED vacations from their work. No need for a vacation to be a waste of time, money, and resources as they can be spent at home working. I am of course speaking of off homestead work rather than working for yourself.

Kmac15 · #16 08/08/08, 07:57 AM

Our family is spread across 3 states, so to visit we plan on spending a few days with them and do the tourist thing.
we vacation 2-4 times a year but our animal caregivers are thinking of moving

so this will change things for us

WhiteChristmas · #17 08/08/08, 08:02 AM

I consider it a working vaction, Mike my husband is getting his CCNA certifcate test done,and I've got six job interviews for being a intern in a few law offices. we decide that if we are going to pay for him to take greyhound up for his test and me to go up later this month we'd conbine them.plus take the kids to see all the sights, I've shopped round and found rooms for under $385. for four nights, off the metro {four all day passes for $156.} and bus fair to and back for $250. for four people. I know to go to buy food. and have a nice budget of $600. leftover. Now that Mike has a coupon to get his test knocked down from $250. to $75. I think we're gold.

We have the money from a school grant Mike won for having a 4.0 gpa ,that WV gave him. that we tried to give back but the school willl not accept back. My grant I had ben given went straight into savings and a CD.

We'll see, Karma can be evil. white

TxAprilMagic · #18 08/08/08, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michiganfarmer

Vacations are decadent. They are a waste of money, time, and resources that should be spent operating, updating, and maintaining the homestead.

I don't think you really have thought this out. Here is a different take on it.
Vactioners and/or Travelers spend money. Money is what makes the world and the ecomomy thrive.
State Parks would close.
National Parks would close.
Truck stops cater to vacationers also, not just truckers.
If the truck stops closed , the trucks would stop, your groceries and store bought items would not get to the stores and where would you be then.
Every single person on this board has been to store to purchase something. You can't survive without supplies.
Motels would close
Restraurants would close
EVERYBODY WOULD LOSE THEIR JOBS AND THEIR HOMES WHICH WOULD MAKE ALL OF US SUFFER.
Private camping areas on private land would close and the owners would lose their homes, ranches and farms.
Private hunting leases would be no more, since most hunt on vacation time from work. Those people would lose their land cause they couldn't pay the taxes or the bills to keep it.
Road side gift shops would close. Those people would lose their jobs and homes.
Road side produce stands would close. Those people would lose their jobs and homes.
More than 80%, if not more of the small towns across this country would become Ghost Towns if not for travelers/vactioners.
My business, My living, My livelyhood would close if not for people taking a vacation even if it is just for the weekend.
The festivals in these small towns as well as large cities across this county DEPEND ALMOST SOLELY ON TOURIST.
The beaches would close,
The towns would dry up,
TAXES WOULD GO THROUGH THE ROOF. Tourist/vacationer's money offsets the taxes in most towns/cities and when I say most towns I mean most towns.
Vactioners/Tourist come, they buy, they spend, they go home and all is great. I say , the more travelers , the merrier.
Plus, wouldn't you really like to see some of this GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS, THE US OF A. There are so many places I still haven't been to that I would love to visit and yes, spend my money, so some person operating a private produce stand or gift shop can buy clothes, food and things for their kids and send them to a great school to get a great education so they can grow up and make this world an even better place to live.
You call yourself Michigan Farmer but if no one ever bought you harvest where would you be? Everyone, no matter how self-sufficient they are has to have some money. The light company does not take chickens for a fee.
So when I see those out of state plates I WAVE BIG TIME AND ASK THEM WHAT I CAN DO FOR YOU TODAY. GLAD TO HAVE MET THEM AND WHEN THEY ARE BACK THIS WAY STOP BY ANYTIME.
You might want to re-think your opinion and THANK GOD FOR VACATIONERS because when times are as hard as they are right now, they are the ones that are keeping things going through these rough times. There might be less of them now but if you treat them right they will return and others will follow with money in their pockets plus you never know, you might meet someone that you really have enjoyed and had a nice visit.
Even "Jesus" traveled, even though he walked or rode a donkey, he still traveled spreading his word.

Melissa · #19 08/08/08, 08:07 AM

Well I would like to have a vacation where I could just stay home for a week and not have to drive anywhere~

**Cabin Fever** · #20 08/08/08, 08:09 AM

We live in Minnesota's Vacation Land! We are surronded by hundreds of lakes and never-ending forests. Hundreds of thousands of people come to our area to vacation every year. Consequently, for us, everyday is a vacation.