SURVEY SAYS – Any Changes in Your Vacation Plans?

June 10, 2009 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - We've written previously about the soft economy's toll on vacation plans, perhaps even yours.

This week, I asked readers if they had changed their vacation plans for 2009.

More than two-thirds ( 68.7% ) of this week’s respondents said that they had made no changes in their original schedule, though another 4.5% qualified that with a “not yet.”

Of the remaining 27%, roughly 12% were taking less time off (though perhaps for a variety of reasons – one reader noted, “We usually take 2 big vacations a year, and my husband got laid off after 25+ years of service in the pension industry, so we’re not taking any vacations this year unless he can find another job “.one reader noted, “Taking less time off because I was laid off at the begining of the year, and found a new job that gives me only 2 weeks of vacation (vs. the 6 weeks I had accumulated at my previous job” ), and 6% were taking time off at a different time than originally planned.

Of course that meant that 9% said that they were actually taking more time off than they had planned originally.

Or, as one reader observed, “Your survey implies I would have vacation plans this year.”

“I will be drinking Molson instead of. Damn this economy,” noted another.

But this week’s Editor’s Choice goes to the reader who said he wasn’t sure about his vacation plans because, “My wife hasn’t yet told me what my vacations plans are.”

Thanks to everyone who participated in our survey!

Two weeks in Maine start Saturday!!!

Taking less time off but still consider myself blessed. Our state workers will be required to take 3 days / month unpaid furloughs for two years staring next month. Since I am very fond of eating for me that would really "bite".

It was booked at the end of last year's vacation

Taking less time off and staying closer to home -- road trip in the U.S. instead of a European vacation.

Your survey implies I would have vacation plans this year.

Scrimping and saving for a trip to Europe.

It depends on whether or not we have more "mandated" closures for a week or so. If so, I'll limit myself to 1 week for a vacation that I've planned. If not, I'll take some 4 day weekends.

We decided to go on a cruise since prices were cheap.

Company forced us to use our vacation accrual.

No change, this is our off year where we stick close to home anyway. We alternate years between one trip far away and other years closer shorter trips. One short outting is to dig for fossels and on another I "get" to put a new roof on the house!

Taking the same time off, just scaled down the location/expense of vacation.

Since th ekids got out of school, I've always tended to take early fall vacations. In this economy, we're going to improvise and see what last minute bargains we can find in August or September.

This year I won't be taking a large chunk of time off all at once--I'll just take off on a few Fridays and Mondays here and there. Am afraid that if they see that they can do without me for a week, they may think they don't need me at all.

Taking less time off because I was laid off at the begining of the year, and found a new job that gives me only 2 weeks of vacation (vs. the 6 weeks I had accumulated at my previous job).

It's not a question of taking the time off - we use it or lose it - it's a question of whether I go anywhere or whether I take more than a day or two at a time (heaven forbid). And it is rare to go anywhere. So maybe that's not much of a change.

We are actually taking a bigger vacation this year then last.

I will be drinking Molson instead of Corona. Damn this economy.

Actually I'm required to take time off without pay, a little too frequenty. Therefore any vacation is merely time at home instead of a trip somewhere. You'd think I'd be getting more accomplished around the house but..............

My wife hasn't yet told me what my vacations plans are.

Saving money to put into home improvements

We moved our July vacation to June, but mostly because 2 of the 6 people were coming up from Virginia for a wedding in June.

We're actually taking a more extensive family vacation this year. This was made possible by my wife going back to work and applying her extra weekend work and some overtime and bonus compensation for myself towards the vacation fund.

We usually take 2 big vacations a year, and my husband got laid off after 25+ years of service in the pension industry, so we're not taking any vacations this year unless he can find another job.

Taking the same amount of time but in different pursuits. Instead of skiing and a cruise, just long weekends either with relatives or at the lake.

Have less money to spend on vacation so not travelling very far.

We have a spring fiscal year end, so as usual we work all summer. I always take a week of vacation
once I get the taxes filed. Usually the week of Christmas. Summer is a few long weekends off.
This year and last year's vacation will be dedicated to home remodeling projects.

Taking time off but staying in my own backyard. No big trips this year.

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