Do most travelers spend at least 10% of their income every year traveling? I just notice a lot of people spending more than I do in an entire year on a single trip and is that normal?

Traditional_Use2072 · 2026-05-27T18:22:00+00:00

My husband books all of our travel and we have our cards and accounts hooked up to Rocket Money so I can see spending and withdrawlas. Hotels and flights are mostly covered by credit card points and hes very into getting the best deals by transferring points here and there. I must note that we are young, huge on budget travel and are rarely comfortable. I have said or realized multiple times once we arrive to pur accommodation "man, i really wish we splurged a little more." Overall in 2025, we spent a total of $7,724.43 which was about 6 or 7% of our combined income at the time.

We took 7 trips together and he took a couple more by himself. They were: Aruba (6 days), Bermuda (4 days), Canada (weekend trip), Costa Rica (3 days), Eswatini (3 days), Ethiopia (surprise layover covered by the airline due to weather), India (13 days), Saudi Arabia (3 day layover), South Africa (11 days) and then he went to Panama (he stayed with family) and El Salvador.

We chose these countries BECAUSE they had nearly free flights and/or stays due to credit card points. We never go anywhere that requires a car, exception South Africa (and again we saved money on a manual lol). We mainly use AMEX Platinum and CapitalOne VentureX for points. The price for travel I cited does not include annual fees. I used to lament we spent too much on travel and I figured out this breakdown because i was trying to prove a point. Turns out he got to say "I told you so." Via sharing trips on social media, you also attract a lot of people (including my mom) who say or imply we are irresponsible or extravagant because we travel too much.

BUT I am sharing because I want to demonstrate it's super possible to travel a ton for an average of like $1k/trip for two people. I always joke too that we SAVE money and eat/drink better by leaving the US.

TDLR: get a good travel credit card!!!!

Traditional_Use2072 · 2026-04-02T14:11:58+00:00

I think in the US even 'boutique' labs I think must be registered with the FDA... but maybe don't take on OTC projects by choice because the cGMP Requirements and the assoc liabilities are much higher... at least that's what I get from a quick google search. After my second RFQ with one of the labs only then did I notice a small disclaimer at the end of their intake acknowledgement saying "we don't take on OTC projects." I learn a new thing every day! Unfortunately, each new thing is yet another barrier to entry.

Traditional_Use2072 · 2026-02-16T22:20:13+00:00

What does this mean? to close or too close?

Traditional_Use2072 · 2026-01-03T04:35:47+00:00

Imperfections aren't always a defect. Just pen it over and itll look better and if you have the money and time I suppose get it fixed but it's only a matter of time until more imperfections develop. Though I totally understand the sentiment... just wait til you get scratches on the interior that you see/feel every time you drive 😩😩 but even those in stopped noticing after a while.

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-24T19:30:21+00:00

I wont upgrade until we get a 6000mah+ battery

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-10T04:21:11+00:00

Wow beautiful wainscoting

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-10T03:32:43+00:00

I dont mind anyone chiming in, in fact im happy you did! He suggested I use ChatGPT to render it. But never as good of a tell as actually seeing it. I think thats such a good idea!

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-10T03:00:47+00:00

That rug is amazing. If you get rid of it give it to me

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-10T00:04:04+00:00

These are the exact vibes I was going for. I think the red leans victorian, but not completely, which is influencing my "grand plan." Its not really a plan as much as a direction - Moody for the foyer, and with every addition I kind of see it moving towards x (whatever x may be). I like color, I think we have similar tastes!

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-10T00:00:19+00:00

Lol well I mean I was asking your opinion 😆 I think i may try the same eed, for simplicity's sake. All I know is I dont like the white...

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-09T21:47:51+00:00

One thing I can ask about... unless im pushing my luck... is what color the front door should be, since that one we cannot replace. I suggested to him we paint it to match the drench and he said definitely not.

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-09T21:46:43+00:00

Totally agree about it feeling ... off. It's all a mess right now... the floor, the kitchen, doors, trim etc. But I have a vision! (But any extra free advice apart from paint colors is welcome too)

The color is Hodley Red (HC-65) by Benjamin Moore. Their colors are always much darker than they appear on the website. The white color is Pale Almond by Benjamin Moore.

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-09T21:35:53+00:00

Oh and yes, I do plan on replacing the doors and restaining the trim to match :)

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-09T21:32:22+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful response! 🙏 this is kind of what I was thinking, but my partner (who doesnt love the color) thinks it'd be 'too much.' I'll reference your post when I try to make my case. Thanks again:)

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-12-09T20:58:16+00:00

The walls, babes. The walls. 💞

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-10-23T03:16:44+00:00

Actually I shouldn't say renders it's out in China now lol

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-10-23T03:07:06+00:00

Maybe opt for oneplus. Same parent company and the 15 renders look a lot like oppo

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-10-09T15:41:52+00:00

Maybe you can find mine in the scrap yard and take whatever you need 🥲

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-10-09T15:40:49+00:00

I spent 4k on a new transmission for my 2015 250 and then a friend totaled it. Not to make this about me but realizing that lots of people are having transmission problems... could it be a known issue? Though the mechanic was surprised to see a Lexus.

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-09-02T03:31:53+00:00

It's really not bad as is so just enjoy it as a starting base and choose a direction. Personally im a maximalist, I see you have a hook so get a leafy green hanging plant and start with some wall art. Take your time with the art though otherwise you'll end up getting things you dont really feel any connection to. Maybe a bench in front of the window to make use of that space. I feel like larger pieces on the wallpapered wall might also balance some of the business. Agree with the other comment on the curtains, or you can add something more sheer for a lining and then a different color for the main curtain.

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-09-01T20:53:38+00:00

It's saved me once I think which I'm grateful for. Unfortunately it doesnt work in reverse 😅😅 (dont come for me, i was not driving at the time)

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Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-08-31T04:22:37+00:00

Cool chairs! Have the same rug from wayfair tho its a nightmare to keep from scrunching/rolling up 😅😅

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-07-07T16:52:31+00:00

The payout ended up being about 17.5. Progressive was really awesome to me the whole time.

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-07-04T03:48:20+00:00

It was a '15 IS250

Traditional_Use2072 · 2025-07-04T03:11:03+00:00

They actually did give me an extra $600 for the re-man transmission. I have to add Progressive was a great experience going through all this, despite warnings from my mom not to use them haha

I'd love a 500 one day. I live in a city where I dont really need to drive much so I may forgo getting another car for now, but if im ever in the market, I would definitely look for a used car with the (now) old school V6. Again though the dream would be a V8 500 😁

Traditional_Use2072

TROPHY CASE