Is vacation a "need" or a "want'?

amother

OP ↓

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 10:11 am

Single mom here with a calm home. Not overwhelming at all bH with regular stresses of a rather peaceful household.

I have not been on vacation for over 10 years. I did go away with the kids maybe twice in the past 10 years.

I'm forever dreaming of vacationing but am on a frugal budget.

For a person in this situation, do you think vacation is a "need" or is it a "want" and should be done as an extra only.

OOTforlife

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 10:18 am

I consider it a need to have some time off from work and chores occasionally. Going on a vacation(TM) in the way that term is usually used, I.e. going to another city, staying in a hotel, going to attractions and sightseeing, and eating out in restaurants, is a want.

But even if it's a want, that doesn't mean it's frivolous. Room can be made for it in a frugal budget.

amother

Forestgreen

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 10:20 am

I personally love going on vacation. I prefer to spend money on vacations (experiences) rather than things. That said, it is most definitely a want. Same as cleaning help. You’ll definitely have women on this site saying otherwise

amother

Brunette

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 10:38 am

A break once in a while is a need as far as I'm concerned. But you do not NEED to go to Florida.
Staycations are awesome.
DH and I took two days off last year and spent time together locally. It was awesome!

amother

Gray

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 10:46 am

Its a want. But everyone could use a change of scenery and everyone could use a little pampering. If you live in the U.S it doesn't mean traveling to France. I have found there is more free stuff to do in the summer. Also more local saves you on air fair. Which btw is not only the price of the ticket. It saves you q trip to the airport, buying travel size items....)

I live in New Jersey and a relatively cheap trip I took was to Niagara Falls end of August it wasn't so hot.
We first visited a friend for a day and a half in the Catskills. That was a free weekday supper and did some local touring. We went on to Niagara spending 1 night in a hotel.

Now corona times places are not as fun if you have to where masks. I would buy a piggy bank and put every single penny you save any time in it. Qnytime you realy want something but hold yourself back for the vacation fund. Kids as well. Do something special with the money, buy a souvenir. By next summer the vaccine should be more effective and hopefully things will be back to normal.

The poster above that said cleaning lady is not a necessity. Depends on what level. To polish your silverware no. But to make the house livable in. Yes its a necessity. Kids should grow up in a clean house. Not all moms are capable. Very different than going to a hotel

amother

↑ OP

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 11:33 am

Thanks everyone for sharing your perspectives.

I guess for now I'll satisfy my vacation needs by going out and having fun locally.

And for that inner need to travel really far, I'll have to close my eyes and imagine flying and visiting the beach or France or Florida or Israel..

sky

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 11:35 am

What is a vacation?

I think a day trip to a boardwalk is a vacation. That type of change of scenery I think is a need. To do something fun and bonding out of your normal routine.

I think a plane ride or multi night trip is a want.

bigsis144

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 11:44 am

To “get away” or “recharge” doesn’t have to be far from home or particularly exciting/dramatically relaxing.

Need: fresh air, sleep, exercise
> you can get these at home, or on a day trip to hike in a forest, or dip your toes in the ocean, etc.

I find nature to be necessary for my mental health - some time without loud traffic or crowds of people. And BH I live in a suburb with wooded trails and little creeks, and within an hour’s drive of bigger forest and state parks. I don’t think I could move back to a big city like Brooklyn or Los Angeles - all this green is good for my SOUL.

So that’s more of a lifestyle decision to give me doses of nature on a regular basis rather than needing to “save up” for a big “getaway”.

I think, if possible, it’s more important to structure your life around small recharge opportunities rather than holding out for a long-needed break.

SixOfWands ↓

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 11:55 am

Everyone needs time off from work or everyday pressures.

Traveling, however, is a "want" not a need.

But since when is "want" a dirty word? There's nothing wrong with doing things that you "want" so long as you can afford it.

You "need" to light two candles. You can pick these up from Dollar Tree. https://www.dollartree.com/gla.....07456 Needs met. But its fine to satisfy your "want" by purchasing something more beautiful, and more expensive, if you can afford it.

You can satisfy your clothing "needs" with $10 Hanes Beefy tees, but I doubt anyone is going to criticize you for a "want" of something more elegant for Shabbat.

So if this is a "want" for you, save up, and enjoy yourself!

amother

Olive

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 12:00 pm

You can need a vacation a break somewhere neutral where there's no chores or stresses of life. You might want to go somewhere fancy and extravagance. I have found some really nice vacations for my family where we didn't spend a lot but we got that well-needed break.so no we didn't go far no were kosher food was served just nice family time. The first I thing to figure out is what your budget is.

amother

Brown ↓

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 12:14 pm

I live in NY, my parents live in Miami. I have 4 very intense kids, I work, I home schools, I’m in a rough marital situation....
I need a break sometimes. NEED And no one here can tell me that my need to get away is not a need. A staycation, where my husband and kids are home in the AM and PM, and I have to take care of stuff for them, is not the break I need.
I can tell you from experience that the years that I haven’t gone to my parents for 2-3 days were very rough for me. I didn’t get the break that I needed, and I got burnt out.
I wish people would stop deciding what other people need and want. I [b]need[/] to get out of my house for a few days, get out of NY for a few days. You don’t need to agree with me, and I don’t really care if people don’t agree. This is MY life, not theirs. Until you are in my shoes, you won’t know what I need.

amother

Natural

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 12:18 pm

Want.
This concept of vacation is a new construct and as a need goes right up with “me time....” do you really think in the Alte Heim they had vacation?
Vacation was when you traveled to the next town to use the Mikva in the freezing cold under the cover of darkness in fear of getting caught.

sheifelah

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 12:21 pm

I firmly believe it is a need, at least for me - maybe not for everyone. Maybe it doesn't have to be so lavish, although very nice if it is!! I think it is important for mental health to take a break from the daily grind and have a change of pace and scenery. I give you all a bracha that if you need a getaway for whatever reason that Hashem will bless you to be able to do it! Smile

↑ ShishKabob

Mon, Jan 04 2021, 12:23 pm

amother [ Natural ] wrote:

Gimme a break! There was Marienbad for the biggies. Why do only biggies need to go and bathe in therapeutic waters and spas?
And it's true, in the Alte heim, many people did not have this need. Like nowadays, we have this need for a washing machine. Don't tell me it's a want, just because in de alte heim no one had it!!

And I changed my mind. Some times, for some people, it is a serious need to go to a warmer climate and to be pampered with hotel style service. Sometimes it's a need not a want. Different people have different needs. The individual gets to decide what their need and what their want is. That is if they are honest with themselves.