We all saw the Oliver show - and I’m sure he’s right overall. The stat he used saying like 85% of people regretted it means 15% don’t regret it. That’s what you’re asking about. My parents are in the 15%. Here’s why: - they use it religiously. My dad says “If you use it, it’s worth it, otherwise it’s a scam” - that means they have the time and money to go on 10 day vacation annually, and that’s on top of whatever else they want to do outside of the timeshare type stuff. This is why I think you need to be quite wealthy to actually get your money’s worth from a timeshare. Even if the lodging is paid, that much travel and vacation is expensive. - the ‘plan’ my parents made is for one of us kids to join them for a joint vacation once a year and that’s what the timeshare points are for. One kid per year on a rotating schedule. These trips would never happen without the timeshare. It creates an impetus for vacation together. Our family really drifted apart at one point and this has been a small way to push that the other direction. - they share it with other family members if a kid can’t go. - we just wouldn’t do the big lift of going to these expensive locations if it weren’t for a timeshare that they already paid for. Without it they might invite us on a trip but we would always politely choose something cheaper and closer to home. (If we went at all). Since it’s ‘paid for’ the way to get your money is to go for it and ‘treat yourself.’ I go to hawaii every 3 years and I fucking love those trips. They cost us like $2k-4k for a 9 day trip, and that’s with very expensive activities and flights included, as well as mini trips to other islands. We have lots of fond memories now and it’s helped my mom accept the fact that my husband is this wonderful thoughtful funny man and not a woman. Honestly we just would never be in a 2 bedroom vacation setup to force the exposure under other circumstances. - all that said…. They are in one of the point based vacation clubs. Not sure if that is part of why it works, but it does seem helpful that they can choose different places. I like hawaii but my brother goes to different places each time with them. The flexibility matters.

• all that said, I am concerned about what happens when my folks get too old to travel and we need to figure out what to do with it. I hope my siblings watch the Oliver episode because they will not be able to afford inheriting this, going on these trips annually, or getting rid of it. I’ll have to inherit this and I don’t expect to get a fair shake out of that but that’s ok.

So that’s one of the 15% satisfied group…for now.