Some Thoughts on Planning for Special Events

**Jill B.** · 02-26-2009, 12:59 PM

Yesterday was our 25th anniversary. Two and a half years ago I planned to put $100 away every month so we could go away somewhere special. I never did it because it was always one thing or another coming along to claim our money. I am very sad, today, that I did not do it.

We thought we would go away overnight but then decided to cancel that because we don't really feel like we have extra cash for that. Instead we are going out to a nice restaurant. I can kick myself for not putting the money away a few years ago.

So, now I am kicking myself but I am also thinking that I need to apply this to other things, like, say a couple of IRAs. Twenty years from now I will be kicking myself if we don't!

**Buc-O-Mama** · 02-27-2009, 08:03 AM

The economy puts a different light on lots of special splurges. Don't be hard on yourself. This won't be your last anniversary and certainly not your last chance to do something special. Things change and you might feel like a splurge later on. Congratulations on your 25 years together!

**candyapplelady** · 02-27-2009, 09:21 PM

Jill,
Congrats on your 25th anniversary! I know you're disappointed that you weren't able to save to have a special anniversary celebration. You can do something cheaper that would still be special.
One year (in May) DH and I were really broke on our anniversary. We still wanted to do something to celebrate. We got my Mom to watch our kids. We packed lunch in a picnic basket, some chicken, salad, a bottle of wine and some wine glasses. We borrowed my FIL's antique Model T Ford. We took a drive without any destination in mind and ended up at a quiet beach. We spent quite awhile just relaxing, listening to the ocean, talking and just really enjoying being together. Since that year we've celebrated many different ways. We've even taken some expensive trips for our anniversary but to this day that one anniversary is my most memorable.

**Early Bird** · 02-27-2009, 10:14 PM

Thanks for the inspiration. We are at our 24th this year, and, maybe, I could swing $50 or $100/month for a nice getaway with DH.

**peanut** · 02-28-2009, 05:23 PM

You know, I keep saying I'm going to take DH to a spa overnight or for the weekend. But our anniversary is in the fall...both his and my busiest time of year. And it's the day before DD#1's birthday. Invariably we end out going to a restaurant or something.

But this Valentine's Day I'd had enough. We chose to have me cook and create mood/atmosphere and stay home. It was much more enjoyable. Fire in the fireplace, a movie from the library...yep...I'm thinking I could swing for this for our anniversary too.

**Jill B.** · 03-01-2009, 07:05 AM

Thank you everyone for posting your very memorable anniversaries. I know that it is the time and the mood that is most important. We did go out to a very fancy restaurant and remenisced (sp?) about the past 25 years. We had a great time with the memories and with the realization that life can be so tough but when you go through it together it can bring you closer together.

**mombottoo** · 03-01-2009, 09:34 AM

Belated congratulations on your 25th anniversary!!! It takes a lot of hard work & perserverance to get to 25 years!

Try shooting for a special trip for your 30th...if you put away $25 a month, that'd give you $1500 to work with and you can do a lot for $1500.

Did you enjoy your dinner out? I hope you had a great time and don't be beating yourself up...the economy is in shambles right now and even if you had saved the money you probably would have changed your mind anyway.

**Jill B.** · 03-01-2009, 12:19 PM

mombottoo, You are quite right! If I did save $3000 for a trip, we would have taken some for an overnight somewhere and then just stashed the rest!

**rainbowgc** · 03-01-2009, 01:02 PM

Happy Anniversary
25 years is quite an accomplishment in this day and age. Sorry your plans didn't work out - now start saving for your 50th!

**craftypam** · 03-02-2009, 10:42 AM

Congratulations on 25 years. We didn't go anywhere on ours either. Instead of vacations through the years we paid things off. Sooooo much more freeing. I've now been married 33 years. I have no house payment and no car payment AND now we can go on vacations. Sooo worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!