Sigyn

Disney is insanely expensive. We decided it's not really worth it to us. Our family doesn't enjoy it enough to warrant it. We spent $9,000 to take all five of us to Italy for 12 days including airfare. We spent exactly what you say - $10,000 - for 7 days for four of us (one couldn't go) to Disney and stay at the deluxe hotels. Insane prices. Italy or Disney. Not a difficult decision. Our entire family, kids included, preferred Italy.

I have certain categories in my head of what something is worth, no matter what it is - a nightgown, a belt, a purse, and I cannot spend over that. One of my good friends says she has the same mental calculator that goes on in her head. There is a certain value to items - shirts, blouses, pants, etc. - and she can't spend past what she feels that category is worth.

I'm not rich but obviously comfortable by any definition and we definitely give to a range of charities every month.

This has been an interesting thread. I have gotten various answers to my original question, and I appreciate that. it's pretty much what I figured, now that I think about it. There's no mystery to it. Some people just want to spend more on cruise cabins than I'm willing to spend. And some people make a lot more than I do.

save from paychecks. we actually have one savings account that's just for travel and fun stuff and we put extra money into that. I move $1,500 a month from checking into that savings account. our investment accounts are something else entirely, separate from 401Ks and inherited accounts and everything else.

I never said I spent 100K on a car. I have no car in my garage that is anywhere close to 100K. My husband and I drive cars in the 60K range. And I do save for carpeting. I don't put things on credit cards. Nor am I rolling in dough. I never said I was. I said my salary and what I save. You extrapolated the rest. The whole point of this thread was me saying I do not have the cash to spend 20K for suites. I am saving for carpet. I am saving for a garage remodel. I have three kids. I have expenditures that go beyond a cruise suite. I save for retirement and rainy days. I like cash in the bank for unexpected expenses. This reminds of the game of telephone where things get blown out of proportion.

I'm so sorry about the loss of your spouse. I'm glad you were able to do a lot of vacation with your husband and have happy memories. But again, I'm so sorry.

Right, but I wouldn't do that for 20 days. It's a 4 day trip.

A world wide public forum, but it's anonymous to an extent. And being open about salaries is something that's becoming more popular, since companies take advantage of people who don't share this information. It particularly keeps women and minorities underpaid if they don't know their value.

I walked into this area accidentally earlier today - I'm on the ship now - and it was a rather sad excuse for a casino. there were about four tables for various table games, and a couple dozen slot machines. And it was all totally empty. Rather odd. Of course, it was at noon. But on a sea day. I think most people don't know it exists. It's not directly attached to the regular casino, although it's on the same deck.

Our financial advisor says we should plan on spending the most in the first 2-3 years of retirement, whatever age we retire. He said he sees it over and over. People have bucket lists of things they want to do, and they do them all in those first 2-3 years, and then they just relax and stop spending as much, whether due to health or lack of interest. It's a good rule of thumb for retirement savings. He also says he's never seen an 80-year-old with an entirely new wardrobe of clothes.

For anyone wondering, these are the speeds you get using Starlink on Harmony of the Seas. Pretty crappy.

Agreed. About half of the basement and 2/3's of the first floor are hardwood and tile, but all of the upstairs where the bedrooms are is carpeted, other than the bathrooms. My husband prefers it, while I like hardwood.

Sounds nice! Thanks for explaining how you and your spouse do it. (What is an FA?)

I read recently that accountants have tons of celebrity clients who ended up filing bankruptcy in part due to their insistence on flying first class. That was enough to turn me off from the idea of paying $3K for a 3-hour flight. Now, I have upgraded with miles for long hauls over the ocean. (Obviously, they overspent on a lot of other things, too. But the first class spending stood out to me.) My ex-FIL was very, very, VERY rich. Probably was the richest man in my entire state, or even multiple states, although no one would have known. Many buildings have his family's name on them now that he's passed away and his children like to flaunt their inherited wealth. Anyway, I always remember something that happened one time when I was a young woman, married to his stepson. My MIL bought my FIL a pair of socks. This was in 1988. He said, "How much did these socks cost?" She said, "Six dollars." He said, "Return them. That's too much. I like the $4 socks I normally wear just as much and there's no reason to spend an extra $2 on socks." Now, that was obviously a bit ridiculous given this man's wealth. But it made a point. There's no reason to spend 1/3 more on something when a lower-priced product does the job just as well.

Honestly, you wouldn't believe how much carpet is for an entire house. Over $10K. ridiculous.

I agree. A lot of people make over $100K a year now. But not everyone. Not by a long shot. To be specific, I make $170K a year in my job as a marketing executive and I get bonuses, and my husband is in tech and he makes $230K a year but he doesn't get bonuses. So in a typical year we make over $400K with my bonuses. If we lived in California, that wouldn't go very far. (I know, because my household income in California 20 years ago was $250K and that got me very little!) But we live in the midwest and it goes quite far. Housing is affordable, groceries are not insane, and life is good. So there's a lot left over. But we're not rich by any means. We're just comfortable with money socked away for rainy days and retirement. Edited to comment on the $100K car portion of your comment. See, that part actually does make sense to me. Because you get to keep the car. Five suites or a beautiful car. I would choose the car. Right now our garage has a couple of fancy cars. Not $100K. But pretty nice. The $20K on a suite is only for a week and then it's gone. You can experience a vacation for a week in a $5K balcony cabin and it's nearly the same and yet you saved $15K. I guess I just answered my own question. It is about value and what it's worth to me. We all make choices as to what we value most. When I'm in Napa Valley, putting my head on a pillow in a gorgeous hotel room in Yountville is worth $600 or $800 a night, while others would gag at the concept. But then I also don't go to the French Laundry when I'm there and spend $1,600 for two people on dinner with wine, opting instead for $300 at Bouchon Bistro with a bottle of wine. I find my value where it works for me.

too much!

I get that. My ex-husband died young, leaving our son without a dad. I believe in living life to its fullest, and not saving money for my kids to inherit. But also being sure I have enough for a nice retirement, and retiring young enough so that I can enjoy it. It's definitely about setting priorities and what matters. I told our financial advisor that I'm happy as long as I have a nice house, a newer model car, a long weekend trip to Napa every year and a longer vacation each year, too, and the ability to go to Europe every couple of years. He laughed. It's the simple things, amiright? 😂

This blows my mind. Most Americans are not making enough to support this. You're clearly dealing with the top 2-3% of income.

I did that as a joke. 🙂

I actually booked that one, then read about it - the pig poop and also how the pigs are treated in some places - and cancelled it. I realized I could not support it in good conscious. The pig poop was a factor. I admit it.

Wow. that's ridiculous.

Very good point. I chose to put more into my house than, say, cars, at a certain time in my life, because that seemed like the best expenditure. Then, as our incomes increased, we bought nicer vehicles, etc.

Chat GPT says it's generally safe. Here's the AI answer: Hot tubs on cruise ships are generally safe when properly maintained and sanitized. Cruise lines follow strict guidelines and use sanitizing chemicals, such as chlorine or bromine, to keep hot tubs clean and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria or other microorganisms. Additionally, they are required to comply with international health and safety regulations to ensure passenger safety. However, there is always some level of risk associated with using public hot tubs, including those on cruise ships. If the hot tub is not adequately maintained or if other users introduce contaminants, there is a chance of contracting an infection or developing a skin rash. To minimize the risks associated with using hot tubs on cruise ships, consider the following precautions: Shower before and after using the hot tub to remove any dirt, oils, or bacteria that could contaminate the water. Avoid using the hot tub if you have open wounds or skin infections. Be cautious when using the hot tub if you have a weakened immune system, as you may be more susceptible to infections. Do not swallow hot tub water, as it may contain harmful bacteria or chemicals. Pay attention to your body and leave the hot tub if you start to feel unwell or experience any discomfort. If you have any concerns about the cleanliness or maintenance of a hot tub, speak to a crew member or avoid using it altogether. By taking these precautions and ensuring that the hot tub is well-maintained, you can safely enjoy this relaxing amenity on a cruise ship.