Vacation or Staycation? Or neither?

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 11-18-2009, 08:46 PM

Ok...so, here's the deal...

Dh and I have been talking about/planning a vacation for this December for I don't know how long (insert "years")...

Between now and December it's his 30th bday, college graduation (B.S. Accounting), we put off doing something for my 30th bday to do something 'big' together (shared bday celebration), and have planned on celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary early (it's in April and he'll be a tax accountant), plus we didn't get a honeymoon so wanted to do something extra-special/romantic for 10th...and essentially combining all these "BIG" milestones into one celebration this December.

We'd talked 'vacation'...like 2-3 weeks in the lower 48 (thus, getting us away from the frigid temps and cabin fever at the same time...it was negative 8* last night...yay, Alaska

).

We *had* the cash set aside for it all...but ended up using it for emergencies (Dh had to go to ER and we have no insurance, car needed BIG repair and our EF is set up to cover small ones...good grief, the list goes on and on). Needless to say, the cash is gone and I'm disappointed (but glad it was cash!). All these big milestones to celebrate and all years of plans seem tossed out the window.

I can't even believe I'm considering this (

), but we're talking about (no one hit me

) charging it and paying it in full (half in January and half in February). It would put us 2 months behind (at the end of our plan) in paying off our debts (SL's - all current or ahead and our EF is still in place, as well).

I feel SOOOOOOOO horrid for even *thinking* about doing this...and at the same time I'm SOOOOOOOO disappointed.

I know there are bigger 'issues' in the world...jobless, homeless, hungry... And I know we're lucky to have a nice place to live, a full pantry, etc. and I should just be happy with that. Dh even got the job he was hoping for - starts the beginning of January!! It even pays more than we were hoping for and the benefits are better! The catch is he won't be able to get time off for at least a year after starting, so no 'sliding' plans for a couple months.

We talked about 'staycation' ideas...but, frankly - we're not into outdoor stuff - especially in the winter! COLD! The only thing we came up with is there is a sleigh ride company about an hour's drive away...at least that would be special/memorable/romantic.

I'm sure I sound whiny...but just needed to 'vent'...and have some confirmation...

I've been trying to just not think about it, but feel "blah" and just want to get it off my chest. Thanks for listening!

Advice? Input? Thanks

**Debbie-cat** · 11-18-2009, 09:01 PM

I love to travel so I say go for it.

Have fun!

**frugalwarrior2** · 11-18-2009, 09:09 PM

my cc just went up to 21% so my present mood says stay. Sometimes you just need to write it out on paper. KWIM?

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 11-18-2009, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by Debbie-cat

I love to travel so I say go for it.

Have fun!

I do, too! And I've been looking forward to this for SO long!! Which is why I'm so ARGH about this!!

Originally Posted by frugalwarrior2

my cc just went up to 21% so my present mood says stay. Sometimes you just need to write it out on paper. KWIM?

Yup...I know what you mean...that's why I'm so "aaaaahhhhh!!!" about it all!

Ours is 17.99% (they already raised it to that, so I'm guessing we've taken our 'hit' in that category? Never know, though...).

So, it would be a max of 2.5 months on the card -- at 17.99% APR. So, 1.499%/mo. I'm not sure how to calculate a balance past that because we would only put the tickets/hotel on until mid-December until we'd go. Then the rest of the trip mid-late December. Then at least 1/2 of it would be paid the middle of January. Then the rest by mid-February.

**Contrary Housewife** · 11-18-2009, 11:28 PM

If you are absolutely certain you can pay it off (the job is a done deal) and you can still pay all other debts and expenses, AND you can live with having one more emergency to deal with unexpectedly in that time frame (it will happen, you know it), then go for it.

**Thevail** · 11-19-2009, 01:03 AM

I have to say... maybe shorten it to a week and DO IT ANYWAY!

The bills will be a few months, but the memories are a lifetime.

My parents were always "gonna do it next year"... but now they're retired and on a fixed income.. and "next year" has become "maybe someday".

Just my two cents.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 11-19-2009, 04:41 AM

So...Dh and I are sitting here...I'm reading all your responses to him and we're trying to make a decision. We're looking at the various 'deals' available. Finally decided to book a trip to Vegas to stay at Treasure Island. We chose the dates, etc...

And then...

NEITHER of us can click the button to put anything on the card!!! Even for just 2 months!!!!

It scares us too much!!!

I'm not sure if this is funny/ironic or just kinda lame? Or maybe good? Greebo would be proud, right??

So, now I'm back to, "how do I make this VERY, VERY special while remaining up here?"...

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 11-19-2009, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by Thevail

I have to say... maybe shorten it to a week and DO IT ANYWAY!

The bills will be a few months, but the memories are a lifetime.

My parents were always "gonna do it next year"... but now they're retired and on a fixed income.. and "next year" has become "maybe someday".

Just my two cents.

I am going to hold this 'life lesson' in the forefront of my mind. VERY wise!!

**Lora88** · 11-19-2009, 06:29 AM

Go for it you deserve it and you can handle it

**shoiji** · 11-19-2009, 10:27 AM

Could your week in Vegas be shortened by a day or two. You know a six or five day week.

You could also plan a nice party gathering for the birthdays and graduation.

As far as not being able to take off time during the first year, don't forget that companies do give time off for holidays. So there are those weekend holidays that can be planned for.

While it may not be the long celebration you would like don't forget that it may take a couple weeks before he gets his first paycheck and benefits kick in. I would love to say just go for it, but Murphy's law can be unpredictable. Hence the shorter vacation.

Whatever you decide I hope it is a wonderful celebration. You two have worked and struggled to get where you are now. So I can definately understand wanting to celebrate big to say yes, we did it!!

**frugrrl** · 11-19-2009, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Luv2BeFrugal

So...Dh and I are sitting here...I'm reading all your responses to him and we're trying to make a decision. We're looking at the various 'deals' available. Finally decided to book a trip to Vegas to stay at Treasure Island. We chose the dates, etc...

And then...

NEITHER of us can click the button to put anything on the card!!! Even for just 2 months!!!!

It scares us too much!!!

I'm not sure if this is funny/ironic or just kinda lame? Or maybe good? Greebo would be proud, right??

So, now I'm back to, "how do I make this VERY, VERY special while remaining up here?"...

When in doubt -- don't.

Going into debt for this (or any reason) is really being on the top of a slippery slope.

If it were me, I'd try to really skimp these next few weeks and get some more money in my pocket. Then go somewhere relatively close, have a nice dinner and stay at a nice bed and breakfast for a night or do that sleigh ride thing.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to celebrate something. It's about the people you're with.

**Mummy2** · 11-19-2009, 11:23 AM

Go Go Go!!!
Enjoy your husband!
What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas!! Hahah!!

**PlainCash4** · 11-19-2009, 01:04 PM

If you know you can pay it in January and February, i say go for it. The fater you pay it, the less interest you will pay. OR, you can wait till summer and go someplace close by

**Emjo** · 11-19-2009, 01:55 PM

I wouldn't do it personally. What if something happens and the job doesn't work out...usually they can let you go with no notice and no severance the first few months if you're "not working out". Do you have a good healthy emergency fund?

I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself thinking of the "what ifs" the whole time I was there...I say save for the next year and then go for an awesome vacation the first chance you get! DH and I are also talking about doing Vegas for our 10th, just for a few days...we're just celebrating our 7th next month though so we've got awhile to wait!

**JenMarie** · 11-19-2009, 01:58 PM

Why don't you wait? If you'll have extra cash in Jan/Feb, save it and go on a trip after tax season. My uncle is a CPA and he always leaves for a trip on April 16th and he needs it! You'll have the cash and hubby may even have some nice OT checks.