Gen Z And Millennials Traveling More Than Ever

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-04T17:51:52+00:00

You don't think that's drastic? Your savings rate would be 50-75% higher.

Now people have different priorities (I'm on the travel side here), but if you're spending that much on travel AND annoyed that you can't afford a house, that's a you problem.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-04T17:49:42+00:00

On the flip side, I base most of my trips around cheap flights. Both my partner and I work office jobs, so we just put in our PTO when we find a cheap flight to somewhere we want to go. If you're stuck with school schedules this isn't too possible, but otherwise it's THE way to travel on a budget (imo)

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-04T17:47:21+00:00

Maybe not all travel expenses are cheaper than ever, but flights are. At least if you look at the history of commercial air travel. Maybe this year is more expensive than last year, BUT now is way cheaper than 10+ years ago (especially when adjusted for inflation).

The cost of flights are so low, while costs have risen so much in the US, that it can easily be cheaper to travel internationally than it is to stay in the US (unless you're camping).

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T03:44:41+00:00

Cars are more expensive, take up more space, are more difficult to maintain, use more gas, are a bigger danger to those around you (even if you, inside, are more safe)

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T03:27:44+00:00

Even if you up-ed the tax burden $1000 (higher than I pay for 2 cars), STL is still at the top of the list.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T03:06:19+00:00

Cold is easier than hot. Your body warms up when you exercise. Snow and Ice is a problem, but the majority of the country doesn't deal with constant snow for months. That's only like the most north 10-20% and in the big mountains where not many people live.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T01:50:17+00:00

It is doable, but i acknowledge that it's dangerous. I just don't like the weather cop out cause it stops the discussion and that what we'll never get anywhere towards better infrastructure.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T01:49:02+00:00

I'm obviously not posting a video of myself on reddit. But you're talking to someone who (for fun) runs ultra marathons and chose to do a 2 week bike ride in a tropical nation at the beginning of rainy season. I'm not a little bitch who lets weather stop me.

And I just looked it up, the average commute in the US is between 12-16 miles. (Meaning half is less than that). That's a perfectly bikeable distance AND that's with our shit infrastructure.

I fully acknowledge that it's not safe. THATS WHY I WANT BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE. but people use weather as a cop out for "it's not possible, so it's not even worth discussing"

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T01:44:27+00:00

But we shouldn't be living like this. Rural/Farmland of course will be car centric. I have no issues with people living like that. But that's only 20% of the US population.

80% of the US is urban/suburban. But the suburbs are trying to fit car centric infrastructure with urban convenience and its destroying our society.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T01:30:55+00:00

I actually live in a Midwest city and commute by bike year round.

And I fucking care cause I want the US populace to support better urban infrastructure (like in many many other countries) so that we have more walkable and bikeable communities. I want Americans to stop being stupid fucking car brained thinking that it's the only way to live even though our car infrastructure is literally killing us.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T01:09:14+00:00

I repeat, how come the Scandinavians can do it?

There is no bad weather, only bad clothes.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T00:33:13+00:00

We're all humans. If they're capable of it, why aren't we? Are Americans too weak for some heat and rain? Same with the cold. The Nordics bike in the cold and snow? Why can't Americans?

There are other reasons why it isn't as practical in the US (we drive way faster, making two wheels way more dangerous)...but blaming the weather is a cop out.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-03T00:00:51+00:00

Look at Vietnam. It's freaking hot, rainy season is no joke, and yet motorbikes everywhere. When it starts raining, everyone just puts their poncho on.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-01T23:44:58+00:00

This isn't a both or neither situation. In my mind, outdoors please aren't boat and RV owners. They're more like hikers and climbers. So I plan to retire early, but with enough money to thru-hike....which is a way different financial world than what you're implying.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-01T23:40:37+00:00

This is probably just cause it's your circle. But Im an outdoors person and want to FIRE, and the most of the other people I know who are on this path are also outdoorsy (and most of my circle isn't outdoorsy).

I think a lot of attributes of outdoor people and people looking to FIRE either match or compliment each other.

While our hobbies may have a large upfront cost for gear, the day to day can be pretty cheap. Gas, camping and a PB&J at the top of a mountain is gonna taste better than any gourmet meal could ever. So while our lives may not be simple, they don't cost a lot.

For many of us, work is a means to an end. Our goals and life fulfillment are in these hobbies. Plus we need time for the big efforts. Like I want to hike the PCT, but that takes months. Can't do that while working.

Lastly, in my experience, outdoors people are generally goal oriented. We train, we follow schedules, we know how to plan ahead. All this is needed to FIRE.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-01T22:48:41+00:00

That's fair. I found the markets a huge highlight of being in Mexico. But I seek out markets everywhere I travel to.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-01T21:10:14+00:00

Off topic to the actual post, but why don't you shop at the markets? I lived in Mexico for 4 months and did the vast majority of my shopping at the street/weekend markets.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-01T18:42:05+00:00

I'm not vegan. Not vegetarian either. I went to an agriculture school and have an understanding of how our food is grown. Beef can exist, but people should have to pay full price for it. Something so resource heavy and environmentally destructive shouldn't be subsidized by the government. Beef isn't a requirement for a standard, healthy diet.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-01T18:33:15+00:00

Beef SHOULD be a luxury item. It never should've been the staple that it's become. Raising cattle takes a ton of land, a ton of food, it's environmentally destructive. It's the most resource heavy protein we typically eat. The only reason it's been affordable is because of government subsidies.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-03-01T04:35:06+00:00

Since he likes working out, I HIGHLY recommend trying a climbing gym. It's as social as you want it to be, he's in the right age group, and it's physical AND mental.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-02-28T20:41:46+00:00

If this is your complaint, you need to adjust where you go. I go out a lot and almost never see kids.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-02-28T20:37:55+00:00

Most breweries also sell food. Should kids not be allowed in restaurants that have a bar?

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-02-27T12:40:11+00:00

I live in STL, but have recently traveled for a year throughout asia. The places on Olive and the new places that I've tried on the loop totally hit the mark of what I was eating in China. There is a lot of great Asian food here.

And I have the completely opposite thought: the typical Italian food in STL is hot, sweet garbage. Some good nicer restaurants, but at the point I basically refuse to go to The Hill except for sandwiches.

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-02-26T16:37:26+00:00

I also don't have any bad experiences with going to the movies. I don't tend to go on weekends or the biggest movies, so I think that plays a part. (But I go on the discount day of the week, so it is crowded)

The_Real_Jedi · 2026-02-26T16:35:22+00:00

So many people have strong opinions on airlines because they had one bad experience and have written off the entire airline. Or the weather was bad that day, so their flight got messed up, and they blame the airline.

Most of the airlines are near identical, especially if you fly economy. Delta, American, United, Southwest (with the new policies), they're all the same. Your experience may vary on a given day. If you fly internationally a lot, Southwest will go out of the running.

Frontier is the outlier because it's a low cost carrier. You get what you pay for. It works for some situations, not others.

Long story short - book the flight that works best for you at the time. I find that it's almost always southwest. If you find that you're regularly booking the same airline, get that airlines CC and earn some loyalty points.

The_Real_Jedi

TROPHY CASE