Maybe I’m preaching to the choir by posting this for the travel-lovers on Wandering Educators, but recent conversations with friends in education have left me a bit surprised at how they are reacting to the economic downturn. Across the board, my teacher friends have canceled travel plans for 2009. These are folks in elementary, secondary, college, continuing ed, online education, etc and they are aged 24 to 64. “The economy is just too bad,” they say.

Very interesting. This is a group of people who have not seen a change in income (some even got their scheduled raises), their positions are as secure as jobs come these days, and they haven’t had to tack on extra hours or part time jobs to make ends meet. Yet, they insist that in these “hard times” they can’t even consider a trip.

I respect their decision to play it safe, but I thought I’d challenge some of their reasons for staying home.

My investments have gone down the toilet.
I know how that feels, but, come on, were you relying on those investments to finance your travel this year? I’m sure there are some of you who travel on funds from your dividend checks, but most of my friends don’t operate that way. Unless you’re putting the money you would have spent on travel into a smart investment, I’m finding this excuse more about your state of mind than your capacity to travel.

It’s way too expensive.
Too expensive... compared to what? Most travel opportunities are discounted compared last year, and businesses have come to expect customers to ask about better rates and incentives. After spending last summer in Europe when the value of the euro to the dollar was at an all-time high, it’s hard for me not to see all the euro countries as a bargain right now. Plus, I just finished a 40-day roadtrip and found all kinds of recession-minded bargains in hotels, restaurants and attractions across the US.

It’s not a good time to be away from home.
When I pressed this excuse, I wasn’t able to find out exactly what they thought might happen while they were gone. I threw out some possibilities...Our government will collapse? Your home will be foreclosed on? Credit card companies will close your accounts? A family member might end up on the streets and need your help? Oddly, they did not seem to find these possibilities all that outrageous. They admitted the ideas were unlikely, but plausible! I’m sure they would have laughed at me if I suggested such notions in 2007. Now, they just kind of shrug, “Well, you never know.”

There are a lot of people suffering right now.
So then, how do you intend to spend your time at home helping those people? Oh, I see, what you meant was “What would people think?” If you’re really that caught up in people’s opinion or if you genuinely want to help people, add some volunteering to your trip. You’ll probably do more good for individuals, the economy and yourself...and your neighbors will only have positive things to say about your trip.

Living among a host of situational concerns.
Now, some of my friends did have serious concerns. One friend was planning to retire this year, but the hit on his investments has shaken up his plans. Another friend’s son lost his job, and she has offered to care for the grandchildren three times a week and help them financially until they get back on their feet. Another friend has gotten word that her department might be cut, and she’s making sure she’s prepared.

This economy is affecting many people in many different ways.
I’m not going to argue that staying home isn’t right for some people, but I don’t see a majority of my friends in education falling into this category. So, I guess I’m just asking for everyone to take a good look at the reasons they might be staying home and be honest with themselves.

I’m curious what others think on the matter.

Corey Taratuta is the Ireland Editor at Wandering Educators and is hosts the Irish Fireside Podcast at www.IrishFireside.com