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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: andreamac on July 31, 2015, 10:34:17 AM

Title: Should we extend our vacation time?
Post by: andreamac on July 31, 2015, 10:34:17 AM
I'm somewhat new to the MMM thing but have always been frugal throughout my life. My husband is 35 and I'm 32. We currently have a net of 350 K which includes my estimated 130 K cash out for my pension if I quit today. We have no children at the moment but we are trying. Right now we are saving 2K a month for our retirement without including the pension amounts. My pension is one of the best since I'm a government employee and it won't disappear overnight (Knock on wood).

I plan on working until 55 since my pension(adjusted for inflation) will be available then and I my husband would like to retire around the same time.

My question is I have 4-5 weeks of paid vacation every year but my husband gets 3 weeks. He does have the option to take 2 additional weeks and take a cut in pay. This would be roughly cost us no more than 2K a year.

Also hopefully by next year I maybe pregnant and this would give him extra time to spend with me and baby if all stars align :) I realize that once the baby comes we will be paying for childcare (after 1st year since I get full pay for first year) and our savings will be going down to probably 1K a month.

Would you trade money over time since we don't plan on FIRE until another 20 years?
Title: Re: Should we extend our vacation time?
Post by: Gone Fishing on July 31, 2015, 10:36:05 AM
I'd do it.
Title: Re: Should we extend our vacation time?
Post by: forummm on July 31, 2015, 11:01:18 AM
If you aren't RE for 20 years, you should have way more money than you need by then. What you'll never have enough of is time. I'd take the time now.
Title: Re: Should we extend our vacation time?
Post by: boarder42 on July 31, 2015, 11:05:04 AM
i'd do it too.  i'm gonna try to negotiate that in the next couple years here at my company. 1k for a week of free time.
Title: Re: Should we extend our vacation time?
Post by: forummm on July 31, 2015, 11:43:14 AM
i'd do it too.  i'm gonna try to negotiate that in the next couple years here at my company. 1k for a week of free time.

Or ask if you can take unpaid leave when the time comes for a trip.
Title: Re: Should we extend our vacation time?
Post by: Trifle on July 31, 2015, 12:38:08 PM
Agree -- you are doing great.  You should definitely take the time.
Title: Re: Should we extend our vacation time?
Post by: Meggslynn on July 31, 2015, 01:15:23 PM
Absolutely. I can guarantee that when a child comes into your life there will be little question about whether you should do it :)

We are actually in very very similar position as you.
Title: Re: Should we extend our vacation time?
Post by: andreamac on August 02, 2015, 07:35:17 PM
Thanks for all the responses!  I think this will work quite well for us!