A common tenet of financial planning is that owning a timeshare is a terrible idea. All the articles on this subject read the same and make the same points. To be fair, many articles qualify their advice by saying owning timeshare is a bad investment, but they don’t discuss whether owning a timeshare can be a good way to pay for the next 20 years’ of vacations.
I agree that owning a timeshare is a bad investment. With the sole exception of Disney Vacation Club timeshares, I don’t think I’ve come across a single timeshare that has either increased in value, or generated enough income to qualify as a “good investment.” But we didn’t get into the timeshare industry to peddle investments, we got into this industry because we wholeheartedly believe that, when done right, timeshare ownership can help people take longer, more enjoyable, and more comfortable vacations at a lower cost. With that in mind, here is our top five reasons why we own timeshare when personal finance columnists say owning timeshare is not a good decision.
I agree that owning a timeshare is a bad investment. With the sole exception of Disney Vacation Club timeshares, I don’t think I’ve come across a single timeshare that has either increased in value, or generated enough income to qualify as a “good investment.” But we didn’t get into the timeshare industry to peddle investments, we got into this industry because we wholeheartedly believe that, when done right, timeshare ownership can help people take longer, more enjoyable, and more comfortable vacations at a lower cost. With that in mind, here is our top five reasons why we own timeshare when personal finance columnists say owning timeshare is not a good decision.
- It allows us to stay at better accommodations, longer, and for less money. After we had our kids, we bought our Disney Vacation Club timeshare because we knew we would be taking several trips to Disneyland during the next 20 years. For trips to the Magic Kingdom, you can’t beat the Grand Californian. The resort is so nice, the staff is so friendly, and I can’t tell you how much it helps knowing that, when things get too hectic at the parks, I can pop smoke and be back in the hotel room in 20 minutes. It was a significant upfront purchase (about $15,000), but I estimate our break-even will be after just 4 trips. After that, the savings really start to build.
- Day Use! Going to the beach for the day? Day use at Carlsbad Inn can’t be beat. Skiing at Squaw Valley for the day? Ski into the resort and unwind (boots off!) in the heated owners’ lounge.
- It allows us to vacation more often. Like many other people, it’s difficult for me to pull away from work. Luckily I have a spouse that puts a big emphasis on family vacations, and owning timeshare really simplifies vacation planning.
- Kitchens, kitchens, and kitchens. Can’t get them at hotels, and this family is not going to be eating all their meals out when they travel. I know you can get them with a vacation rental through a site like VRBO, and we still do this sometimes, but we don’t like all the unknowns with renting someone else’s house.
- Making memories at special places. Squaw Valley and Carlsbad are special places. We like the idea of our kids having great memories growing up at these places rather than a string of one-off locations.
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