When it comes to investing in your family's future and well-being, certain decisions, like whether or not to start a college fund or to supplement your retirement account, are easy to make. But what about the decisions that can start benefiting your family today, rather than years down the line?
Many families find themselves considering making an investment in how they choose to spend their time together. Two popular options are to purchase a cabin getaway or join a country club. While both certainly have their pros, there are also plenty of cons that you need to be aware of to help you make an informed decision. Keep reading to learn what you can expect when you buy a cabin or join a country club, and why one might be the better choice for your family.
Hours of Set-Up vs. Instant Fun
When most people dream of owning a cabin in the woods or a lake house, they picture lazy weekends of relaxing and enjoying time together. But what many don't realize is the amount of work that goes into packing and unpacking a weekend home.
Each time you want to visit your cabin, you'll need to spend time getting everything set up and unpacked, wait for the heat to re-warm your space if you turn it down while you're away, and more. Depending on the size of your home and its features, like whether it has a pool or if you plan to cook during your stay, set up and clean up could take anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour or more. And you'll be doing this on the day you arrive and the day you leave, every time you visit.
Plan to leave your cabin unused for several weeks or perhaps a month or longer? You may need to take additional measures to ensure that your home stays safe and secure while it sits empty. Summer homes that aren't used during the winter may require extensive preparation to make sure that pipes don't burst, while swimming pools or hot tubs will need to be drained and cleaned. These arrangements are not only time-consuming but can also be expensive.
With a membership to a country club, you can instantly start relaxing and enjoying time with your family from the moment you arrive. Then, stay as long as you'd like to soak up every last minute of fun.
Endless Road Trips vs. More Time on the Green
Another drawback of buying a cabin is that most families choose to do so in a destination that's at least a few hours away. While this means that every weekend away feels like a mini-vacation, it also means lots of road trips to enjoy your investment. If you want to extend your time at your second home as much as possible, you might try to leave work early on a Friday to beat the rush hour traffic and get a few extra hours of relaxation.
When you join a country club, leaving a little early on a Friday means a chance to enjoy a full round of golf before meeting back up with your family for dinner. With less of a commute, you can spend more time actually enjoying your investment.
Fun for Everyone vs. Creating Your Own Entertainment
Bringing multiple generations along with you for a day at the club means that everyone will find something that they enjoy. Kids can join in on age-friendly activities. Parents can play a round of golf or hit the courts for some tennis. Anyone who isn't up for spending time outdoors can relax in the clubhouse with a good book or spend time chatting with friends.
A cabin might have lake access for your boat or a swimming pool, but oftentimes, it'll be up to the parents to make sure that there is plenty to keep little ones entertained with, not to mention watching out to ensure that they are safe during your weekend away. Grandparents or other older family members may be unable to participate in all activities, which may mean they have to stay back at the cabin alone while the rest of the family is out.
Unexpected Expenses vs. Steady Expectations
One of the biggest perks of joining a country club, especially for any families who might be on the fence about making such an investment, is that you know what to expect financially for years to come. You can plan ahead for your dues and make it an easy addition to your yearly budget.
While you might be able to plan ahead to pay the mortgage on your cabin, there are plenty of other expenses that you'll also need to think about. Even if you purchase new or build your own cabin, down the road you'll need to deal with replacing the roof and deck, repaving the driveway, and upgrading appliances as they begin to age.
Something to Pass On vs. Traditions to Share
One benefit of investing in a cabin now is that you'll have a home that can be passed on for future generations to enjoy. Some families enjoy starting the tradition of spending certain holidays at the cabin or celebrating special occasions there. As your children grow up and eventually have kids of their own, they'll get to enjoy the cabin as well.
With a country club membership, you might not have a home to pass on, but you can still pass down lasting memories. Your children will form fond memories of their time there that might just inspire them to join with their own families one day. Often times, lasting friendships are formed with other members, and families who would have otherwise never met end up growing together.
Choosing Between a Cabin and a Club
Ultimately, choosing whether a cabin or club is right for you depends on your family's unique wants and needs. But if you are looking for a way to bring your family together, keep everyone entertained, spend less time working, create lasting memories, and avoid any unexpected costs, joining a country club like North Oaks Golf Club might just be the best investment you can make in your family's future and free-time.
