Listen to nearly any financial advisor talk about budgeting and they'll almost certainly mention that while some factors change from person to person, some — like savings, retirement, and vacation — are much more of a given.
However, given the cost of travel and the fact that PTO is merely a theoretical concept to most employers, millions of workers are opting to spend their vacation budget on something other than an exotic trip to Bora Bora or a just as lovely stay at a motel in North Dakota — namely, coffee and "little treats."
The Slug Report went to a Starbucks in downtown Chicago during the busiest time of the morning to ask people in line — "Whatcha doin'?"
"Why am I waiting in line to spend another $8 on coffee when it's 8:55 and my job is a 10 minute walk away? Because this is all I have — that's why," said Chicago social worker Jessica Roeber. "My whole job is to relieve people's suffering, yet the only thread I have to hang onto is a caramel frappe. I don't need to plan for a possible week-long trip to Florida in February — I need whatever help I know I can get right this minute."
At this point, that particular Starbucks no longer felt like a safe in environment to be in, prompting the Slug Report investigative team — which consists of one person who also happens to be the sole member of all other Slug Report teams as well — took to the Internet.
"I haven't had a vacation in years, but have you ever had a cake pop?" said Winona, Minnesota P.E. teacher Eric Wilcox. "I don't know what they put in those things, but the cocaine I would buy if I could afford to go Portugal wouldn't hold a candle to it. Or at least that's the notion I'm choosing to operate under."
While those with more money and time might look down on those who they may perceive as "wasting" their money, there's another important factor to consider — it's a lot easier to eat and drink than it is to sit in a car for 12 hours or get through TSA.
"I like to think of myself as a travel buff, but I don't actually really go anywhere," said Madison, Wisconsin service representative Rebecca Shank. "I've gone to Mexico, Italy, China, and Japan in the last month alone. By that, I of course mean Chipotle, Olive Garden, Panda Express, and this place by my house called Sushi Express."
With inflation being a never-ending struggle, it's likely that the treats will only get bigger and the drinks will only become more alcoholic. But at the end of the day, that's what a vacation is for anyway.
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Photo courtesy of Missvain via CC BY-SA 4.0
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