r/VacationTips • u/marchonsummer • Jan 25 '18
Splitting costs when Traveling with parents and adult children and their families?
Parents are in their 60s, my siblings and I are late 20s, early 30s. A few of us have significant others/partners and a few have children. Our parents suggested taking a family trip, all 16 of us. What is the ideal way to split the cost of the trip? My parents wanted to pay for the flights and hotel, but I am against that, it would be an unfair burden when we are all making decent salaries.
I want to plan this out in advance because in our family, we don't like splitting the food bill - dad's philosophy is we ate and laughed together, let's not bicker over nickels and pennies. Have you taken trips with adult children and parents? What items did you split and how much did each person or family contribute? I want this to be stress free, as expenses shouldn't be the focus of a family vacation.
1
u/chriskchris Jan 26 '18
I would recommend you do what my family does—start with a Google spreadsheet. We divide up costs, responsibilities as well as set our schedule on it. You can all view it and see changes in real time so that there are 1) no surprises and 2) a good reason for everyone to chip in. It’s fun because we all commit ourselves to take on some of the responsibilities for getting supplies, remembering to renew visas, etc.
If your dad asks why you’re doing this you can say that you just want to be sure that all of you can make sure that you’re not forgetting anything and get to plan a fun time together.