What I Learned On My Spring Vacation
As I’ve mentioned a few times, I spent last week on vacation, visiting a friend in Portland, Oregon. I learned a great deal about composting, cereal, kayaking, heterosexual drama, and microbreweries–as well as a few things about career and finance.
First of all, saving up leave for a big vacation was definitely the way to go… I think. I was so burned out before I left that I was trudging around like the end of the world, but my luxurious, worry-free week has me feeling like a new woman. An extra three-day weekend in there might have helped, but clearly woman does not live on three-day weekends alone. Shifting back into gear hasn’t been too hard, either, although I did fall asleep on the couch at 7:30 last night.
That said, I do think it’s more important to take care of yourself all the time instead of letting one week every eight months do it for you.
I can be trusted with my own credit card. I didn’t worry about my spending all week, had fun, spent more than usual, and yet did not run up crippling consumer debt. Two things: I am, perhaps, just a reasonably sensible person, and also, I was in a city where people were overwhelmed by the injustice of a $750/month 1-bedroom and $4 drinks.
I can even be trusted with an impulse buy. I bought a messenger bag in Portland that I’d consider way out of my budget at home, partly because something trendy on the west coast can be unique on the east. But also, because I bought it too quick to talk myself out of it.
Airline travel blows. Unless you have elite frequent flyer status… maybe.
Melissa: Welcome back! It sounds like you now understand Alexandra Stoddard’s 5-percent rule. She thinks most people concentrate their energies on the things reserved for special occasions rather than things that we do or use everyday. She encourages readers to pay more attention to the smaller, day-to-day occurrences in life instead of saving it all up for that one-week a year vacation. Regardless, sounds like you still had fun and you’re looking good today sporting that new messenger bag.
By the way, air travel still blows even with Executive Platinum status. Unless of course, you’re drinking Michael Melcher’s famous long-flight cocktail.
Melissa – good points! A lot of people I work with would not take vacation trying to save it up and what not. I disagree. I’ve been taking mini vacations – one/two/three days plus the weekend every few months and just took a week and a half off. If I would only take two weeks once a year, I would probably be dead by now…
While on this vacation, I’ve realized exactly the same things you’ve said – I’ve spent a lot more than I would usually spend in a week and a half, went out dining for almost every meal, and had my own impulse moment – replacing a $250 aviation headset with a $850 one. I am not worried though, I know I can afford this and I still keep all my receipts 🙂