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40 years ago the average teacher's salary was $24,000. A hotel room was around $40. Maybe less for something like a Motel 6, but for a typical vacation hotel, $
by rufus_foreman 3y ago
40 years ago the average teacher's salary was $24,000. A hotel room was around $40. Maybe less for something like a Motel 6, but for a typical vacation hotel, $40. That's just for the room, add in gas, meals, activities and you would easily have another $40 a day. So $80/day * 30 days = $2,400.
Your friend's father may have spent 1/10th of his salary on a road trip vacation every year, but that was not typical.
My anecdotal experience growing up in the 70's and 80's matches the parent comment. Vacation meant driving to grandma's house. I did not take a "real" vacation until I was in my 30's. Eating at a restaurant was something you did a few times a year. Lifestyle expectations really have changed.
- mullingitover 3y agoThey weren't touring motels, they owned a camper and were generally road tripping to camp at national parks.
- ryandrake 3y agoSame experience here as a 70s-80s kid. We did one week-long "vacation" a summer at the Jersey Shore, drove the whole way, and shared a place with another family so we could afford it. I don't know where this expectation came from where a middle class family should be able to afford to jet off to France for two weeks staying in a luxurious hotel and visiting wineries or skiing in the Alps. That's always been travel for the very wealthy. Same experience here for restaurants, too. We ate boxed macaroni-and-cheese and canned baked beans, alternating every other day. Going to a restaurant to eat was a once-every-two-months luxury.
- rufus_foreman 3y ago>> We ate boxed macaroni-and-cheese and canned baked beans, alternating every other day I still eat boxed macaroni-and-cheese a few times a month :) Although it's gluten free and I put some bacon bits in it. Fancy!