Try a New Vacation for ROL

A great vacation should be an energizing or relaxing change of pace from our normal routines. But comfort, rewards points, and convenience can turn annual vacation time into its own routine as well. As much as you may treasure the memories from your favorite travel spots, there are other beaches to swim, forests to hike, and small towns to explore.

Here are three reasons why adding a new destination to your family's vacation itinerary could boost your ROL this summer.

1. Enhanced brain fitness and creativity.

New inputs can literally rewire how our brains work. What scientists call "neuroplasticity" strengthens the synapses in our neurons, which can help us retain and process new information, enhance our cognition, and even repair injuries. Some studies have also found that seniors who keep their mental stimulation high can prevent cognitive decline and conditions like dementia.

Anything from trying a new sport to smelling an enticing new dish could have these brain-boosting effects. Navigating unfamiliar roads and trails might give your brain some welcome problems to solve. Taking a class or touring a museum might inspire some new creative thinking that you'll bring back home to your own hobbies or your job.

2. Broaden your understanding of other people.

If you spend too much time in your own bubble of social media and cable news, you might feel impossibly divided from large groups of people -- including your own friends and family. But that gap fades quickly when you’re chatting with strangers at a mamak stall or clinking glasses of teh tarik with a new hiking buddy at Bukit Gasing.

Instead of locking yourself up in another bubble -- like a familiar resort or theme park -- explore options that will allow you "live like a local" and really experience life in a different place. Stay in a downtown Airbnb. Shop at farmers markets and mom and pop stores. Book a "voluntourism" trip that combines travel with giving back. Or visit far-flung friends and family you've lost touch with and reconnect over good food and good times.

One way you can get to know some important people better before you leave is to involve your fellow travelers in the vacation planning. Asking your kids and spouse what places and activities they're interested in exploring can open up a meaningful family dialogue you might skip over while running to work, school, or soccer practice. Inviting grandparents and extended family to meet you on your trip might also help multiple generations of your family to connect and be a springboard for better relations and more trips in the future.

3. Build camaraderie and self-confidence.

There's nothing wrong with a relaxing week on the beach or an itinerary full of golf and tennis. But while we should all feel free to enjoy our passions and have some alone time during a vacation, we shouldn't pass by chances to make meaningful memories with our loved ones, meet new people, and step out of our comfort zones.

Travelling someplace new can give you that little push you need to break out of a solo vacation routine. When you’re exploring a new place for the first time even scouting restaurants together can feel like a family adventure. And if you’re willing to venture off the beaten path, you might discover new talents, interests, and activities that expand your vision for what you can do now and what you hope to do in the future. 

It is important to remember that new experiences might also come with unexpected price tags. Make sure you do your research and a little comparison shopping before you book any trip. You can also visit our office to review how your travel budget for the year fits in with the rest of your Life-Centered Financial Plan.