A new consumer confidence index survey showed that rising prices have caused most Americans to change their spending habits. With rising costs for things like gas (which, as of Monday, June 1, is $4.48 a gallon in Pa.—40 cents higher than this time last month), airfare, hotels, and food, summer vacations have become a luxury many families can’t afford, prompting them to “downsize” to a staycation, or scrap summer travel plans altogether.
We asked Keystone newsletter readers (subscribe here) Has the current economy changed your summer vacation plans this year—from downsizing the trip to canceling it altogether?
Here’s what they had to say (answers have been edited for length and clarity):
“The current economy has not changed my vacation plans for this summer. We have one trip to the beach planned.”
— Melissa Myers, suburban Pittsburgh
“Absolutely changed our plans. Mostly stay at home or head to the Pocono family cabin for a few days. We are retired and these inflated prices really hurt.”
— Ben and Cindy Meck, Alburtis
“Yes, it has. Significantly. Both my wife and I are retired. Both children live in NYC. Trips are likely going to be limited to and from NYC with perhaps stops along the route at national park and state park sites.”
— Trey Jackson, Lebanon County
“It has, and it’s not like we were jetting off to The Hamptons all summer previously. For most of the last 22 summers, my two sisters and I, and our families, would get a few cabins in upstate New York at Lake George for a week where we mostly would cook all our own meals. Not this year. One of my brothers-in-law lost his job, and my husband and I have both had significant medical bills this year. Factor in all that with the higher cost of everything (like cabin rentals around Lake George) and we’re scaling things back this year to a long July 4th weekend for our families in the Poconos. In the grand scheme of things, I really can’t complain. I know others have it much worse.”
— Cindy F., Delaware County
“I wasn’t able to afford any trips on my meager Social Security check before and now it doesn’t look like I’ll ever be able to afford a vacation. No wonder so many people are retiring to foreign countries. If I could afford the move I’d do it too.”
— MaryAnn B, Emmaus
“My son and his family live in Chile. They normally visit every two years, and this year he was looking forward to being here during the World Cup. Due to air flight costs for five, and overall grocery expenses, they’re not coming. Not sure when I’ll get to see my granddaughters.”
— Cindy, Exton
“Canceling our vacation to Gettysburg this October. Midterms may have a positive effect on gas and lodging but not hopeful.”
— Greg B., Pennsylvania
“We scaled back out of financial necessity. We usually do a week in upstate New York without the kids and a week at the Delaware beaches with them. Cutting out the New York trip this year. With the cost of everything getting so out of control, we just can’t afford it.”
— Alice and Dan Z., Lebanon County
“Definitely forced us to change plans. We’re lucky to still have jobs but the cost of gas, groceries, lodging etc. has forced us to turn a weeklong stay camping at the Delaware Water Gap to a long weekend. When Trump talks about how much winning the US is doing, what on earth is it referring to? Far as I can tell, many of the people that voted for him (I’ll admit it: I did in 2016), are losing.”
— William G. Oakes, Williamsport
