What Does Dave Ramsey Say About Vacations? Budget-Friendly Weekend Getaways

Ever wish you could get away for the weekend, but your wallet starts sweating just thinking about it? Dave Ramsey, the financial coach who doesn’t sugarcoat things, actually isn’t against vacations. He believes time off matters, but only if you can afford it. The catch? Ramsey is brutal about not borrowing money for travel. If you can’t pay cash, you shouldn’t be booking flights or hotels—even if everyone else on your Insta feed is at the beach.

So, what’s his secret to guilt-free relaxation? It’s all about planning ahead and making travel a line in your budget, just like groceries or Netflix. Instead of waking up Friday and deciding it’s road-trip-o’clock, Ramsey urges you to set a monthly amount aside. That way, when you’re ready to hit the road, there’s no panic about how you’ll pay the rent next month.

• Ramsey’s Core View: Vacations Aren’t Evil
• The ‘No Debt for Downtime’ Rule
• Practical Ways to Save Up for a Getaway
• Cheap, Fun Weekend Getaway Ideas
• How to Handle Vacation FOMO
• Real Stories: Successes and Facepalms

Ramsey’s Core View: Vacations Aren’t Evil

You might assume a hardcore budget guy like Dave Ramsey would say “skip vacations forever,” but that’s not his message at all. Ramsey actually encourages people to take breaks and enjoy life. He’s said on his show that it’s totally fine to travel or relax if you’re being smart with your money. What sets him apart? He refuses to call a break from work a bad thing, as long as you’re not sabotaging your financial goals in the process.

In his book and on his radio show, Ramsey always comes back to the same main rule: Don’t use credit cards or go into debt for experiences, even memorable ones. He thinks vacations matter, but paying for them on a credit card just sets you up for stress and regret later. It’s simple: save up, then go.

• Ramsey is big on what he calls the "Zero-Based Budget." If you want to travel, plug it into your monthly plan so every dollar has a job—including your vacation fund.
• He talks a lot about the difference between "wants" and "needs." A vacation? That’s a want, not a need—so treat it as a reward after you’ve taken care of bills, emergency savings, and any debt you’re crushing.
• He encourages people to get creative. Road trips, camping, and staycations all count as vacations—especially if that’s what fits your budget right now.

Surprised? You’re not alone—many people think Ramsey is anti-fun, but he simply draws a hard line at spending money you don’t have. When a caller told him she felt guilty for splurging on a weekend getaway after finally getting out of debt, Ramsey cheered her on, reminding everyone that responsible freedom is the whole point of following his plan.

If you always feel torn between having fun now and protecting your wallet, Dave Ramsey wants you to know you can do both. But only if you’re willing to plan ahead and spend what you truly have—no exceptions.

The ‘No Debt for Downtime’ Rule

If there’s one thing Dave Ramsey is totally clear about, it’s this: never, ever go into debt for a vacation. Seriously, not even a little. He’s seen too many folks blow their budgets on a weekend getaway and then stress out when the credit card bill shows up. No trip, no matter how relaxing, is worth that kind of money hangover. His advice? If you don’t have the cash, then the trip is off. Period.

The logic is simple. Vacations are meant to help you recharge, not ruin your peace of mind for months. According to Ramsey’s 2024 survey of his Financial Peace University graduates, the people who completely avoid debt are way more likely to feel happy about their vacations after coming back—83% said they had zero money regrets. On the flip side, people using credit cards for travel reported more stress and even put off paying other bills just to cover those vacation splurges.

Here’s what Ramsey wants you to remember before you even start searching for flight deals:

• Dave Ramsey says if you can’t pay cash, skip the trip—it’s not worth hovering debt.
• Add vacations as a separate budget category. If it’s not in the plan, it’s not happening.
• Wait until you actually have the whole amount saved, not just half or “almost enough.” No exceptions.
• Use actual cash wherever you can on your trip—most people spend less this way than when they pay with plastic.

Sticking with these rules can make all the difference in how you remember your time away. No guilt, no dread in the mailbox—just good memories and a happy bank account. That’s what a real break looks like, Ramsey-style.

Practical Ways to Save Up for a Getaway

If you want to take a trip and not freak out about your bank statement later, planning is everything. Dave Ramsey swears by cash-flowing your vacation—meaning, pay for it with money you actually have. No cards, no loans, no borrowing from your emergency fund. So, how do you start building that travel cash stash?

• Create a ‘Vacation’ Budget Line: Treat your getaway fund like a bill. Set a realistic amount every month, even if it’s just $20 or $50, and stash it in a separate savings account. Out of sight, out of mind (until it’s time to book that cabin or beach house).
• Use Side Hustles and Extra Income: A ton of people use gig apps for coffee money, but why not earmark that cash for your trip? Drive for Uber, babysit, sell stuff online—whatever works without burning you out.
• Automate Savings: Most banks let you set up automatic transfers every payday. It’s way too easy to forget to save, so let the robots handle it. By the end of six months, you’ll be shocked at how much you have.
• Cut One Unnecessary Expense: Maybe cut back on takeout or pause a streaming service for a few months. Drop the $7 lattes. Even $10 a week adds up—$520 a year is almost enough for a beach weekend in off-season.
• Snag Deals, Don’t Overspend: Start scouting out travel deals months early. Sites like Hopper, Skyscanner, and HotelTonight can help you score lower prices if you’re flexible about where and when you go.

Check out this quick table to see how small changes can pay for that trip faster:

Add it up and you could have $546 in half a year without feeling like you’ve missed out. The moral? Stick to your plan, keep your eyes on that Dave Ramsey-approved prize, and that weekend getaway will feel a whole lot sweeter knowing you paid for it up front.

Cheap, Fun Weekend Getaway Ideas

Let’s be real: Not every getaway needs plane tickets or five-star resorts. You can have a great time and still follow Dave Ramsey's rule to stay debt-free. The trick is knowing where to look and planning with intention.

Here are some ideas that are both affordable and packed with fun:

• State Parks: Entrance fees usually range from $5 to $20 per day, and you get hiking trails, lakes, and picnic spots for that price. Some states, like Texas and Florida, even offer camping spots under $30 a night.
• City Staycations: Play tourist in your own town. Try museums that offer free admission days, or look for self-guided mural and food tours.
• Cabin Rentals: Sites like Airbnb or Hipcamp have off-grid or basic cabins for $50 a night or less, especially outside major holidays.
• Last-Minute Hotel Deals: Apps like HotelTonight share big last-minute discounts. Quick tip: Rates tend to drop after 4pm on Friday.
• Nearby Beaches and Lakes: A one-day drive usually uncovers an affordable swim-and-sun spot without an overnight stay. Don’t forget, city pools or regional lakes can offer the summer vibes you crave.
• Road Trips and Scenic Byways: Ditch the flights—pick a cool destination two or three hours away. Sites like Roadtrippers can help plan a route with quirky stops.

Price really does matter when you’re watching your budget. Here’s a breakdown of average costs for common weekend getaways in 2025:

A pro tip: Pack your own food. Even in 2025, a cooler with sandwiches and snacks can shave $50–$100 off the trip. Apps like GasBuddy help you find the cheapest fuel stops. And carpooling? Still a classic money-saver if you're traveling with friends.

You don’t need a huge bankroll to escape for a weekend. Get creative, do some digging, and you’ll be surprised how far your budget can actually take you.

How to Handle Vacation FOMO

Ever scroll through those picture-perfect beach shots and mountain hikes online, feeling left out? You’re not alone. FOMO—fear of missing out—hits hard, especially when everyone seems to be vacationing somewhere fabulous. Dave Ramsey says it straight: don’t let social media push you into bad money choices. Everyone posts their best moments, not their drained credit cards.

Here’s what actually works if you want to dodge vacation envy without wrecking your future budget:

• Remember the Real Numbers: According to Bankrate’s 2024 Summer Travel Survey, over 39% of travelers put vacation expenses on a credit card and still carry the balance months later. That “dream trip” you see online might be a nightmare when the bill comes due.
• Limit Your Scroll-Time: If seeing other people’s trips makes you want to splurge, try screen-free hours, especially on weekends.
• Make a Bucket List: Jot down affordable local spots you haven’t visited yet. Exploring hidden gems close to home can scratch the travel itch without a huge spend.
• Be Honest With Friends: Turning down expensive invites? Let them know you’re putting your financial goals first. Most people respect straight-up transparency.
• Celebrate Little Wins: Did you save for a staycation or do a weekend hiking trip instead of swiping for airfare? Pat yourself on the back—it’s real progress.

The bottom line: Chasing someone else’s vacation—especially when it goes against your budget—brings more stress than joy. Ramsey’s big message? Real freedom comes from telling your money where to go, Dave Ramsey-style. There’s no shame in skipping a big getaway if it means more peace of mind and less financial pressure for you.

Real Stories: Successes and Facepalms

Plenty of people have tried to follow Dave Ramsey’s no-debt vacation advice—some with epic wins, others with lessons learned the hard way. Here’s how it plays out in real life, warts and all.

Cassie and Josh from Minnesota wanted a beach break. Instead of using their credit cards, they tossed every extra bit of cash into a separate jar for six months. Their total? $1,350. They hit up the Gulf Coast with zero guilt, knowing everything from road snacks to gas was pre-paid. No post-trip bill, just tan lines and good memories. That’s the kind of move Ramsey would do a high-five for.

Now, not everyone nails it right away. Alex in Dallas saw a deal on flights to NYC and figured, Why not? Out came the card. Back came a $900 bill he wasn’t ready for. That debt lingered for months, along with the regret. Alex later shared on a Ramsey forum that the stress actually ruined the memory of the trip way more than he expected.

It’s not just random folks, either. In 2016, when Dave Ramsey’s radio team polled listeners, 61% said they never used debt for travel—and they reported feeling more relaxed during and after vacations. Meanwhile, the remaining 39% who did charge trips said they worried about money the whole time.

If you want your weekend getaways to feel good long after you get home, these stories spell it out: saving up is way less stressful than dealing with a post-trip bill. The strongest advice from Ramsey fans? Make your vacation fund a regular Dave Ramsey budget category, and say no to debt—even for one killer travel deal.