Spend Your Way Out Of Guilt!

April 17, 2009 at 2:41 PM | by egw | 0 Comments

Everyone knows the recession is causing people all over the world to, if not cut back on their spending, at least cut back on the appearance on spending. (This will later be known as "Sachsing," after Goldman Sachs' decision to move a Las Vegas technology conference to San Francisco to avoid criticism about misusing bailout money -- as opposed to Aiging, which involves spending as much as possible publicly while hoping no one will notice.) But only one news outlet has the cojones to suggest you spend your way out of guilt about traveling when other people can't afford to do so.

If the New York Times is so up on volunteer vacations, why do they tout the most expensive, extravagant ones first in a recent article on them?

"Getaways That Are 'Guilt Free'" was all simpatico up to the point where they recommend an Antarctic trip. And not the Scott-at-the-South-Pole kind, but a $6,000 eco-friendly trip. Sure, it's a great way to mark Earth Day, but it's a bit much. And since when did "returning to life" mean dropping over 3 large on a cruise?

The idea of throwing good money after bad just to make yourself feel better is really not a concept onto which we are willing to sign on, being generally against both overspending and guilt. At least one of the Times' tips is sound: While Globus Journeys picks up on the spending-your-cares-away bit, their prices are much more reasonable -- say $1,000 including airfare for an 8-day trip to Ireland.

Related Stories:
· Getaways That Are �Guilt Free� [NY Times]
· Goldman Sachs moves meeting from Las Vegas [Las Vegas Sun]

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Tags: What Recession / Luxury Travel / Eco-Tourism / Volunteer Travel / → All Tags