Enjoy the vacation moment instead of seeking photo-ops.

• A Bankrate survey reveals that over one-third of summer vacationers are open to incurring debt to finance their travel plans.
• When what's meant to be for you is used to display it for others, you lose the plot and your money.
• Instead of focusing on what's popular online when planning a vacation, consider what matters most to you and your loved ones.

Last winter, we went to a popular resort in the Caribbean with our family. The casino concourse had numerous attractions for us to enjoy.

An art installation to climb on, faux floral arches to position ourselves around, and giant milkshakes topped with full desserts in sugar-rimmed glasses to sip from - that's what we found. But not before taking photos.

Photos came first.

It felt more like an immersive exhibit than a vacation because everyone had taken the same photos and geotagged their location.

Traveling has become a popular activity among Gen Zers and millennials, with many of them visiting destinations they've seen on social media. People often share their travels in real-time, engaging in a constant game of capturing and sharing. A survey by Forbes Advisor found that 74% of respondents feel pressure to imitate the travel content they consume online.

On our vacation, we unwittingly found ourselves in a camp that was both exhausting and absurdly expensive.

While social media is great for staying connected and finding inspiration, it can also cloud your judgment when making financial decisions that may not be worth it in reality.

This summer, more than half of Americans plan to take a vacation, with 36% willing to take on debt to pay for it. Despite rising costs for flights, accommodations, and dining, consumer spending is increasing at the same rate. However, many travelers are sacrificing their long-term goals to experience something meaningful in the present moment.

'Pics or it didn't happen' comes at a cost

When what's meant to be a personal experience becomes a public display, you lose the plot and your money. It's a common occurrence when people prioritize showcasing their experiences over truly experiencing them. This can lead to spending more time on the wrong aspects of a vacation, such as posing for the perfect sunset photo but missing the actual sunset, or filming a concert with the camera pointed at oneself.

Have we all done this? Is it anyone's fault? But is it worth paying inflated prices for snapping pictures, going into credit card debt, or stretching our annual vacation budget to accommodate a resort everyone loves so much?

The absence of core memories attached to those photos significantly reduces their value. The casino resort was bustling, the eateries were priced similarly to Las Vegas, and the wait times were lengthy for almost everything. Despite having a wonderful time together as a family, almost nothing we captured in photos added to that experience.

Dial into vacation elements that are important to you

To effectively budget and plan for your summer vacation, start by setting a cost ceiling. Then, evaluate your proposed travel and accommodation expenses against this limit. If they nearly exceed your budget, it may be necessary to reconsider the trip. It's important to leave some financial wiggle room to fully enjoy the vacation and its associated experiences, which will also incur costs.

What will cause you to leave your vacation and return home, feeling satisfied?

Prioritize your interests and values, rather than being swayed by popular trends. If you enjoy food, focus on it, and if you enjoy adventure, invest in it. By setting your itinerary with purpose, you gain the perspective needed to cut back on unnecessary expenses.

Putting your phone away or leaving it in the room, try to focus on all five senses instead of relying on your usual coping mechanisms. Nothing will be more memorable than experiencing something new that you don't encounter in your daily routine.

We went to a low-key beach resort the following year and spent our time reading books, keeping our phones in our bags, and living our feet in the sand. We took more away from our time together than any photo-op could capture.

The Joint Account, a money newsletter for couples, is authored by Heather and Douglas Boneparth. Douglas, a certified financial planner and president of Bone Fide Wealth in New York City, is also a member of the CNBC Financial Advisor Council. Heather, an attorney, serves as the firm's director of business and legal affairs.