Call Our Office
(559) 384-2900 | Fresno
(619) 480-1413 | San Diego
Your Money
Your Life
Your Way
Important Note

You are now leaving the Strong Valley Wealth & Pension, LLC ("Strong Valley") website. By clicking on the "Schwab Alliance Access" link below you will be entering the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) Website. Schwab is a registered broker-dealer, and is not affiliated with Strong Valley or any advisor(s) whose name(s) appears on this Website. Strong Valley is/are independently owned and operated. Schwab neither endorses nor recommends Strong Valley. Regardless of any referral or recommendation, Schwab does not endorse or recommend the investment strategy of any advisor. Schwab has agreements with Strong Valley under which Schwab provides Strong Valley with services related to your account. Schwab does not review the Strong Valley website(s), and makes no representation regarding the content of the Website(s). The information contained in the Strong Valley website should not be considered to be either a recommendation by Schwab or a solicitation of any offer to purchase or sell any securities.

Article

Investing in Your Vacation

Investing in Your Vacation

Taking a vacation is an investment in your own well-being, in your career, and in the company you work for. Are vacations a priority to you or do you avoid this important investment?  This article takes a look at some of the reasons for skipping vacations, as well as the benefit you might not have considered.

July 1, 2023
Investing in Your Vacation
Important Disclosure: Content on our website and in our newsletters is for informational purposes only. The information provided may (or may not) directly apply to your situation. We recommend that readers work directly with a professional advisor when making decisions in the context of their specific situation.

Why do so many of us not use our vacation days?  Salespeople talk about “leaving money on the table.”  Well, employees often leave vacation on the table.

When we discuss investing, we talk about putting money aside in order to make a profit.  We discuss putting money into stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and so forth.  People also discuss investing in your career, like investing in an education or in a certification.  Maybe we should talk about another investment that could pay dividends in your career, which is, of course, the place where you make your money.  Is investing in vacation a good idea or just hokey, happy idea?

Reasons People Skip Vacations

Why do employees avoid vacation?  There are several reasons people give for missing out on vacation days:

  • The idea that your boss expects constant work and looks down on those “snivelers” who dare to take a break.
  • Allegiance to the idea that hard work is the key, over-arching purpose of life.
  • People worry about not getting that promotion if they take time away from the office.

These reasons are largely self-imposed.  Most managers understand the benefits of vacation to their employees, not only for employee morale but also for his or her performance on the job.  They recognize the benefits of taking time off from work because their employees will be more productive, have better workplace morale, and are more likely to stay. 

Benefits

What are the benefits of taking a vacation?  There are, of course, personal benefits to going on vacation or taking a “staycation,” where you stay at home during your time off.  You can enjoy your life more and become closer to your partner, your kids, and your friends.  You may become physically healthier, too.

However, taking time off can provide substantial benefits for you in your job or career.  To summarize, taking vacations can:

  • Reduce stress, which helps in so many ways.
  • Increase productivity at work, after you return.  Taking a break from work and doing what some have called a “digital detox” refreshes you.
  • Increase creativity, for those times when a better approach or new idea is needed.
  • Improve your relationships with other workers, so that you’re more positive about projects and less likely to be irritable or say things that you regret later.

Of course, things that help you at work also help your company.  Many employers know this, from their experience with other workers and managers who take vacations and then perform better.  So, vacations are not only beneficial to you, but they also benefit your company.

Conclusion

Using your vacation time, and using it wisely, helps you to become a better employee, which can only help your company.  And most managers understand this.  Being a better employee will result, naturally, in a higher salary or a better job. 

Investing in vacation, therefore, is both an investment in your own well-being and in your career and salary.  Remember to invest in your vacation, just as you invest in your retirement, your education, or your house.

Other content you may like

  • Deciding Between Wants and Needs

    Deciding Between Wants and Needs

    March 21, 2023
    Are you looking for power and control over your own budget? One of the hardest things to do in life is realizing when a want is not a need. Not only is the choice subjective, it is often difficult to fit into simple categories. But in the long run, it’s the secret to sustaining yourself from day to day in building a budget that balances your needs with your wants and puts you in a better position to reach your financial goals.
    Read this Article
  • The Rising Price of Crude Oil and Gasoline

    The Rising Price of Crude Oil and Gasoline

    March 22, 2022
    What should consumers and investors expect beyond March 2022? The oil market has been uncertain for several reasons. This article looks into factors that affect the price of oil, resulting in gasoline price changes. Add to that all of the products beyond the pump that contain crude oil and you get a better picture of how the cost of energy affects virtually every aspect of the economy.
    Read this Article
  • Historic Tandem Stock and Bond Returns

    Historic Tandem Stock and Bond Returns

    July 21, 2021
    We’ve only seen 4 other time periods since 1926 with back-to-back calendar years of both stock returns above 16% and bond returns above 7%. This Student of the Market for July looks at those stats, along with the top 20 best starts to a year for stocks, long-term equity cycles, taxable bond fund flows and interesting inflation disconnects.
    Read this Article
  • coronavirus on financial graph

    Additional Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Updates

    April 4, 2020
    Who is affected by the CARES Act? The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, or the "CARES Act," provides relief to individuals, families, small businesses, and major employers.  The bill also puts measures into place designed to help the healthcare industry, as well as other sectors affected by the outbreak of the virus.  […]
    Read this Article
    • The link you have selected is located on another server. The linked site contains information that has been created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of this organization. We do not endorse, approve, certify, or control any linked websites, their sponsors, or any of their policies, activities, products, or services. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained therein. Visitors to any linked websites should not use or rely on the information contained therein until they have consulted with an independent financial professional. Please click “Continue to Link” to leave this website and proceed to the selected site.
    No, stay on StrongValley.comContinue to link
    phone-handset