I know what you mean - I used to be able to get shifts traded really easily, and very rarely used paid time off (we got a certain amount of time for every hour we were on the clock, with the option to cash out that time at the end of the year). Then I switched to a salaried job with 10 vacation days per year, plus I think 8 paid holidays off. Those 11 days would go a lot further if I didn't move 1000 miles away, since almost all my vacation is reserved to go back to the midwest - places I could *drive* to if I didn't move. I did manage to save 1 day, which I think I might use on July 5th, since that would give me a 4-day weekend. But even that may end up being used going back. Granted, normally we could be a little more selective with the family events we choose to visit for, but my mother in law has had some health issues recently.

Sorry, I've gone way off topic