Most Americans set aside everyday rules when they go on vacation, with many abandoning budgets, skipping routines and turning off work communications, according to a new national survey.
The poll of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted Aug. 6–11, 2025, by Talker Research for CheapCaribbean Vacations found 56% of respondents said “budgets don’t exist” while on a trip, 47% said calories don’t count and 63% regarded replying to nonemergency texts or calls as optional. Sixty-seven percent reported eating out for every single meal on a trip, and 23% said they routinely have dessert with every meal.
The survey captured a broad loosening of daily disciplines. Nearly half (49%) intentionally avoid reading work emails while away, and 59% admitted to skipping responsibilities they typically maintain at home, such as exercising or tidying. One in five respondents (19%) said they do not check social media at all on vacation, and another third either avoid posting or have no posting policy, even though 86% still use technology to some extent and 26% use it constantly.
Financial habits also change for many travelers. While roughly half said they try to be frugal, 54% acknowledged that they rarely stick to a budget on vacation and 46% said they use credit more often while away. Many respondents said they snack more and dress differently on trips: more than half reported snacking more than at home, and 54% said they wear clothes on vacation they would not normally wear at home.
Respondents described a shift in mindset that favors indulgence and spontaneity. An overwhelming 82% said vacations are a time to embrace extras — desserts, new activities or spontaneous adventures — and 72% reported feeling no guilt about overindulging. When asked to choose a vacation motto, 41% selected “Treat yourself,” 18% chose “Try everything once” and 12% picked “No alarms, no plans.” Favorite aspects of vacation included sleeping in (42%), spontaneous shopping trips (38%) and completely forgetting what day it is (36%). A quarter of respondents said they enjoy not making their bed.
"The data really shows just how different our mindset becomes the moment vacation starts," said Dana Studebaker, vice president of marketing, consumer brands at CheapCaribbean Vacations. "People are letting go of routines, ignoring their inboxes, and giving themselves permission to break the everyday rules."
The survey also captured how people manage communication: 33% admitted to outright ignoring texts and emails while away, and 63% felt returning messages in nonemergency situations was optional. Technology use declines for many but remains present in varying degrees; one respondent group said devices get a break, with only about a quarter using tech constantly.
CheapCaribbean executives framed the findings as confirmation of a widespread “vacation mode” mindset. "At the end of the day, vacation isn’t about sticking to rules; it’s about breaking from the ordinary," said Michael Lowery, head of global consumer brands at CheapCaribbean Vacations.
The survey was administered online by Talker Research and commissioned by CheapCaribbean Vacations. It polled 2,000 Americans between Aug. 6 and Aug. 11, 2025.