What do you think of when you hear the words Spring Break? If you are anything like me you will be thinking of people in their early 20′s getting crazy drunk and spending plenty of money on crappy accommodation, shots of god knows what and disgusting late night kebabs, only to revisit that same kebab coming back out from where it came a few hours later…
Spring Break
How many times have you seen movies or TV shows where all the college students in the US travel to Cancún to blow off steam and get stupidly drunk? I can’t even tell you how many I have seen, but each time it always amazes me just how many people descend on that one place and just how crazy the entire atmosphere looks. When I was about 10 years younger, I would have liked nothing better than to get involved in that type of party scene, but now I can honestly say that it really doesn’t interest me at all.
I can still remember the feeling seedy, the vomiting, the smell of cigarette smoke, the loud music and ringing ears, the hoarse voice and headaches. The whole thing is something I would just rather avoid. On top of feeling like trash every morning, you also end up spending a small fortune on accommodation, food and drinks, cab fares and club entry fees.
Despite me sitting here typing all the things I dislike about living the night life, I was doing the exact same thing when I was in my late teens and early 20′s. I actually wonder if there is something different in peoples brain chemistry when they are younger, where they feel the need to get crazy drunk every night and to party as hard as possible. What is the end goal? I can’t even remember why I used to do it, other than because everyone else was doing it (baa baa)…
Anyway, over the weekend one of my good friends came over to meet my now 7 week old son, and we were reminiscing on all the “great times” we had when we were younger. Unfortunately I can only remember about half of these great times, as most of the time I was too wasted to know which way was up and which was was down. Despite agreeing that we both enjoyed our time partying 10 years ago, we both also agreed that we were happy to no longer be a part of it.
Reader Question?
Is there an age where you are too old to keep partying? Should people be looking to settle down, or am I old before my time?
Giveaway
Despite my entire post being about how I am glad I am no longer involved in the whole nightclub party scene anymore, I do understand that when you are in your early 20′s you aren’t going to feel the same way as I do now. So if you would like to win $500 to put towards a big spring break holiday, you might be interested in this giveaway that is being run by Rather-Be-Shopping.com
Good luck and I would love to hear what you have to say to my question 
I think it’s just weird when older people (my age) still act like college students. In the resort town where I work sometimes, it’s much worse. I call it the place to move if you never want to grow up. I wouldn’t think there would be anything fun about being hungover every day, but to each his own. If you want to live that life, that’s your choice, but if you have a family, I think you really need to grow up and quit trying to be a kid. How embarrassing it must be to see your Dad playing drinking games or throwing up in the alley, but I bet it happens more than you’d think.
Kim@Eyesonthedollar recently posted..Spring Money Making Tip: Beginner’s Guide to Selling Kid’s Clothes on Ebay-$500 Giveaway!
I also feel that if you have a family then it is probably time for you to grow up and start acting your age.
Gee, am I the only person in the universe who never did this?!?
For one thing — it cost money. (I didn’t have any.)
For another — I generally had to work during Spring Break. It just meant that instead of part-time, I worked full-time that week. More hours, more $$ to pay tuition and bills.
Based on what you’re describing, I don’t seem to have missed too much. Never was too keen on the smell of seedy hotel rooms, crappy food, cheap beer and vomit…
Cindy Brick recently posted..Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Shoveling Out. Again.
I knew a few friends that didn’t do it (my wife included), but they are the exception rather than the rule. Trust me when I say you are almost certainly better off for not doing it.
I’ve had a strict religious education, through high school and college, and so, while the partying is still there, you have to go out of your way to find it…and I never bothered to. I never felt like I missed too much, though. I don’t enjoy feeling out of control, so I don’t even like painkillers or dental laughing gas, so I never felt tempted to get black-out drunk like people always do for spring break…or end of finals…or…well…all the time, it seemed like in college!
You are definitely the tiny minority. Like Glen’s, my wife didn’t really partake in the shenanigans, but I made a fool of myself more than one time.
The craziest part being this – at 23, most of the people that i know who are younger 20′s still spend countless hours and dollars at the local bars. In return, they are awarded countless hangovers. Cheers!
-Jacob
Jacob@CashCowCouple recently posted..Why You Can’t Afford a Dog
It seems pretty crazy to me!
My friend is on spring break right now with some friends from college. They are sleeping 5 people to a hotel room. I asked why they didn’t rent a condo or something and she said that they wanted to be where the action is. You couldn’t pay me enough to do that at my age!
That sounds like my brothers sleeping in hostels whilst traveling through Europe. No way, I much prefer to travel and stay in comfort thank you very much.
I like how you integrated Spring Break into this giveaway post. I never participated in the crazy atmosphere of Cancun, and I can honestly say I’m glad I didn’t. I have a few friends who are still hitting it hard every Friday and Saturday night, but I only go out with them every once in a while (maybe once a month or less on average). I’d say you are pretty much not “too old” while you are in your 20s, but once you hit your 30s it’s time to look for a more laid-back scene if you plan on going out.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted..$500 Cash Giveaway – Save Money this Spring through Planning Ahead
I agree, 30 seems to be where the blurry line is being drawn. Still you sometimes see people far older than that out and about.
I was never into the party scene. The thought of being in an overcrowded bar with a bunch of crazy drunk people spilling drinks all over me just does not appeal to me at all. I spent a few years going out with friends on a friday or saturday night during university but it was short lived. I’d much rather hang out at a pub, have a beer and meal with a few close friends. In all my years of university I never did any of the stereotypical spring break trips (Mexico, Dominican,Cuba…all of which you can do all inclusive for fairly cheap flying from Halifax). I’m in my late 20′s, married, a house and baby….I only have one other friend in the same situation. Most of my friends are still unmarried and partying it up. Not for me all at. I’m glad I found my husband in high school haha.
Catherine recently posted..My Sister’s Shopping Habit and a $500.00 Giveaway!
We are pretty much exactly the same as you. We have one lot of close friends that have kids and are at a similar point in life, but all the others are still partying and carrying on like they are 21 despite being 30.
I’m guilty of still going out, but we don’t go out as much as we used to. I’d rather spend the next morning feeling good instead of throwing up
Michelle recently posted..$1,358 in Extra Income and Awesome Life Updates
I don’t even want to think about how many Sundays i missed due to being too drunk to do anything productive.
What I did with my college spring breaks during college: Went camping. Flew to Seattle to meet a BF’s parents. Homework.
What I’m doing with this spring break and every other spring break of grad school: Working in the lab the same as any other week.
I was never into the party scene. The flashiest spring break trip I knew of anyone at my college taking was to help with Katrina cleanup.
I guess we all have to overlook ridiculous party behavior in teenagers, but it really disappoints me when I see grad students who seemingly have never left the undergraduate mindset. I have had plenty of blind-drunk future physicians, lawyers, and CEOs stumble across my path at events at my university and it doesn’t inspire confidence.
Emily @ evolvingPF recently posted..Why We Don’t Have Life Insurance and When We’ll Buy It
Yes I can understand why you would be lacking in confidence if you saw things like that. You come to expect a certain level of professionalism and age appropriate behavior from certain people and when they don’t meet those expectations it can be a bit worrying.
I would have liked to do things like that but my personal finance training began at an early age. I am not sure if there is an age where you get too old for this sort of thing but I do know as I get older the amount of time in between those sorts of things have gotten spaced far apart. I think it may be the fact that the older you get, the longer you feel like trash. In my youth when I was able to go out to party, the after effects would last maybe into the early afternoon at the most. Now, if I have a few too many beers it feels like I am still recovering on Monday even though I had the drinks Friday or Saturday.
Alan recently posted..This Offer Crosses the Line
I have the same problem that my recovery time is far worse than it used to be, so it’s best if I just don’t get too drunk.
I never went to some crazy Spring Break destination, but that is not to say that I did not party my fair share. I don’t know if there is a specific age, but I think once you get a few years out of college it’s time to slow down.
John S @ Frugal Rules recently posted..Happy Six Months to Frugal Rules!
I always felt that I was the old guy once I was finished University, particularly when you saw 18 year olds hitting the town for the first time.
I never really got into that scene. I remember watching MTV Spring Break when I was in college and thinking “man the girls have no self respect and the dudes just seem like dumb jocks…I don’t get it at all.” I’ve never been a big partier though. I have a fear of throwing up so that kind of helped, but I do still know a lot of people in the volleyball scene who are my age who just want to live those good ol times. I think you can still go out and have fun, but there is something that is kind of sad about people my age who take it to the extreme and just become obnoxious. I did, however, go see a lot of live music and stay out late and somehow manage to get up early the next morning for work. I wish I had that kind of energy now, because it was a lot of fun!
Budget and the Beach recently posted..Fear of Not Having Enough Money
Ha, MTV Spring Break! I remember watching that and thinking the same thing
Mackenzie recently posted..Billing Issues: It Pays to Check Your Mail
Yeah I remember working a 12 hour shift and then partying until 2-3 in the morning and still having energy the next day. I wish I had that much energy now.
I also watched MTV’s spring break when I was in High School. It seemed like everyone was so drunk they couldn’t stand up. Wet t-shirt contests, vomiting and dumb jocks aren’t really my gig.
I did go on spring break a few times when we found cheap airfare. It wasn’t a wild party though, mostly just going to the beach during the day and drinking some beers at night with friends.
KK @ Student Debt Survivor recently posted..My Spending Life Stages
I was always so amazed whenever I watched those spring break shows, it just looks like somewhere I would rather not be.
My wife and I were just talking about this subject this weekend. One of the other mom’s that we used to see from one of my daughter’s classes is always on Facebook “hanging” with the girls. That means shes always at some party, glass of wine in hand, sporting event, traveling, etc. And she’s 40 plus a Mom of 2. Maybe she is a really great Mom and she has a great relationship with her husband. But seeing so many of these photos and posts of her partying leaves you wondering “does she ever do anything with her kids or family? ”
My Money Design recently posted..Wealth Creation Strategies That Are Within Your Reach
It’s a bit sad when you see people like that. I feel bad with how much time I spend with my family and I don’t really go out and do stuff with my friends as much as I used to at all.
Yep Glen, I remember those day, well sort of?? Dont miss them at all, would rather be concentrating on my family, Faith, business, and growing my network. Thanks for the great post!
Jim recently posted..Insider Stock Buys | Best Indication Of A Buying Opportunity?
Yes, “sort of”. Me too…
I started drinking the year I turned 21. I all but stopped drinking the year I turned 22. I grew out of it pretty fast. I might have a glass of wine or a beer on occasion, but the majority of all the alcohol I’ve ever drank was during that one year period.
Edward Antrobus recently posted..What Video Games Teach About Personal Finance
In Australia we start legally being able to drink at 18, but most people are into it when they are 16-17. I guess that’s why we have such a boozy culture.
Having kids is what changed the whole thing for me. When you are living for someone else, and providing for them, it certainly puts a lot of lifestyle choices into the proper perspective.
thanks for co-hosting this giveaway Glen.
Kyle @ Rather-Be-Shopping.com recently posted..5 Reasons to Love Your Stockpile
Yes I am the same now that I have just had our son. I don’t want to be a bad example so I try to keep it fairly sedate.
I often go to Cancún to catch my plane to Europe and have witnessed the worst behavior of foreigners going there to get stupid drunk. It was pathetic. I never was much of a party girl, I like my drinks but would rather be in a place where I can hear the conversation.
Pauline recently posted..Little house in Guatemala, week 18-19
I can almost guarantee that the worst of the worst were Australians. Apparently we are terribly rude and abrasive when we are overseas and drinking. I wish I could say we are better at home, but the average Aussie is barely literate and is more interested in beating on foreigners and being racist than doing anything productive.
Oh, been there and done that. It just makes me tired thinking of those days. I started to settle down in my last few semesters in college. I wanted to buckle down and get on with my life. I am glad that I did.
Grayson @ Debt Roundup recently posted..Too Focused on Money and Losing Focus on Enjoyment?
I was tired after writing about it.
Yeah I can’t party. That was something I did in highschool and stopped at about the age 20. I am 26 and recently divorced. I have had friends beg me to go out with them so I gave it one try and have not been back. Not for me!
Alexa recently posted..Facebook Yard Sales: A Better Alternative to Craigslist
It really just isn’t for some people no matter what age you are.
Spring break is just an excuse for high school kids to go somewhere and think they’re adults. Then they get stupidly drunk and make bad decisions. I don’t really see the point of it myself.
Thanks for co-hosting the giveaway Glen
Justin@TheFrugalPath recently posted..Profit from Spring Cleaning: $500 Cash Giveaway
That’s exactly my point, it seems younger people are more prone to it than older people. I know I was, I’m just not sure when or how my life priorities changed.
Ugh! This is a dilemma I deal with haha. I am in my mid twenties so my friends age range a few years younger to a few years older. I am stuck between those who still use the weekend to maintain a buzz from Friday thru Sunday and those who prefer Home Depot and DIY projects.
Edgar @ Degrees and Debt recently posted..I Got a FREE Filtrete 3M50 7-Day Touchscreen WiFi Thermostat
You will have to let me know which side you fall on. I’m guessing as you are already mid twenties getting drunk every weekend will start to lose its appeal.
I was in a fraternity in college and had a great time! The thing is, once I graduated, the partying stopped. Hard to do that when working full-time and actually trying to have a career. At least it was for me. I’m so far removed from those days it’s almost funny.
Squirrelers recently posted..Is it Dangerous to be Complacent in a Bull Market?
I think most people will be like you. Once you get removed from the party atmosphere your opportunities to misbehave also diminish.
Oh yes, I remember those days. Out of the group we hung out with, there’s only 2 or 3 couples now that have settled down, us included (and remember, we’re early 40′s). Most of the gang is still wandering aimlessly, spending several nights a week at the bars….. As for us, we’re too cheap, too old to handle the liquor, and would rather be home with the kids watching “Leave it to Beaver”. Aahh, life is good.
Laurie @thefrugalfarmer recently posted..Motivation: Words of Wisdom From Paul Milligan
Sounds like a much better way to be spending your time to me.
I was more into beach week than spring break. Spring break was always over crowded and I liked going on scuba trips, So I saved the partying for beach week. Great giveaway, I am not going to spring break but a different trip could use a little extra cash flow.
I could probably throw out a couple of end goals of partying and drinking so much when people are younger. That was never me as I had a mortgage to pay for and just finishing up University so I never went away on breaks. I went to the pub with my mates but I never did get wasted I just enjoyed myself as I had no desire to wake up with a hangover. I used all my savings to travel to as many countries and places as I could, that was well worth it and money well spent in my opinion.
Canadian Budget Binder recently posted..The Grocery Game Challenge #11 March 11-17, 2013-Shopping Twice A Week!
Haha, what a great post! Love the subject. Thanks for your insight.
I’m caught between being the one that’s content with a quiet dinner or night in and being around people who still want to party it up…ugh.
The Happy Homeowner recently posted..How Happiness Saves You Money
Haha great post. I feel the same you do. I never partied in high school but when I got to college I blow off a lot of steam. I went to several spring breaks spots and because of these trips I had high credit card debt. I think for a lot of people they need to get it out of their system. Then they mature and move on to different things. Where I live though its a bit different as people take a lot younger to get out of the nightclub scene.
Kevin Watts @Graduatingfromdebt recently posted..Why Online College Might be a Better Option for You