<prompt> Human: Is this a good idea? We are a middle class family with preschool aged children that make decent income, live in a small house and can afford mayb 1-2 vacations a year. We have to be on a budget in order to do this. Many of my friends make about the same as me, but live lavish lifestyles, take exotic vacations with their families, have huge houses, fancy cars and to what it seems...no money problems! I found out that several have taken out second mortgage to live this way. Is it worth it? Their children are exposed to the world and have great opportunities where ours are living more modest lifestyles and I feel pretty bad about it. Should we take out a second mortgage??  <response>: Is it worth it? Absolutely not, and frankly, your friends are idiots for doing this. Stop comparing yourself other people. If you have your emergency fund, are contributing to your retirement accounts, and your kids are clothed and fed, you have absolutely nothing to feel bad about.1-2 vacations per year is more than lots of people are able to take. When your kids are older, they going to appreciate having parents with sound finances more than that trip to Bora Bora they dont remember when they were six. 