To vacation or not

[KimDW]

Does your family take vacations even though you really can't afford it? Things are really tight right now for us. My husband lost his job last July and has been doing independent work and we are just barely meeting the bills. We didn't take a vacation last year. I was going to use our tax refund to pay for a vacation. I said I don't care what it costs, we're taking a vacation this year and going somewhere. I've even booked the hotel. We were going to go to Rapid City, SD which is about 14-15 hours away for us and with gas going up plus the expense of food and sightseeing. But I really feel I should use the money to pay off some of the credit card. I feel so bad saying we can't go now. I'd be just as happy staying home and doing things around here. I know if I tell my husband we don't have the money he's going to get all down and feel like he let me down because he lost his job. How do I tell him "Sorry, but even though we really need a vacation we can't go." Any advice?


Kimbra

 

[red_mct]

Hmm, I don't think I would take the vacation if I could use the money to pay down debt. Can you compromise? Maybe take some portion of the money to pay off your debt and use a smaller portion to take a lesser trip or settle for a couple of local or day trips? IMO, vacation is really about making memories and not necessarily visiting a specific place for a set length of time. Some of my favorite trips with my kids have been day trips to local museums and such that don't cost a lot but do let us spend time together doing something we all enjoy.

And I think I would approach my significant other with the benefits of having less debt as opposed to the disappointment of missing a big vacation.

It's a bit of a tough spot, but I'm confident you will make the right choice for your family.

Good luck, and I hope things work out for you all soon!

Marie

ETA - we are not taking a vacation this year. I want to put in a pool instead since we will be in it every single day versus one week on the glorious beach. (And I LOVE the ocean, so I am the person who will be really disappointed.)

 

[SRP]

My personal views on vacations are that they are a luxury. If I don't have the money to take one, free and clear, then I stay home. I refuse to go into debt just to have a little fun, because worrying about that debt would take all the fun out of it for me. I'm perfectly able to enjoy time off from work at home.

 

[Sunshine 1528]

Personally I think vacation are a good thing. Especially if it has been a tough year. It is difficult to just go through life and not have anything to look forward to.

I also agree with the idea that just getting away and being with your dear ones is the best part of it.

Since you have some debt you'd like to pay off, what about splitting the refund and doing a little "more inexpensive" vacationing and then paying down some of the debt.

The best of both worlds. Check out a few website by googling "family vacations deals" and maybe you can find something fun and relatively close.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

And . . . just another thought. Not sure if you have kids or not, but sometimes they can help with the family vacation by recycling, babysitting, yardwork for neighbors, etc. That would truly be a family effort and take a little pressure away from your DH (as long as it wouldn't hurt his feelings which are definitely very important !)

BTDT

Jacque

 

[endorphin_junkie]

If we can't afford it, we don't take it. For me (and I speak only for me) debt unto itself is a HUGE stressor; de-stressing by going into debt would be oxymoronic. That is not to say that we don't do lots of fun things together, I am a master at being a tourist in my own town. Whether it's a local festival, getting together with friends or packing a delish picnic for a day of swimming or canoing at a provincial park we can de-stress, have fun, a change of scenery and stay within the budget. It works for us

Perhaps if you devised an itinerary of fun and interesting things that you could do locally, figure out the cost and tell him with a postive upbeat attitude that this would be a break from the day to day, fun and good for the finances it may soften his resistance

Take Care
Laurie

 

[Fit_mommy]

I like the previous poster's idea of a compromise...if you can pay down a debt and still have some money left over to take a lesser vacation...or maybe just take a few day trips that do not require you to fork out money for a hotel?? Just a thought!

 

[melodygirl]

Kimbra

Most of us completely overlook the fun immediately around us. I'd be willing to bet you guys can have an unbelievable vacation if you never spent a night away from home.

Also, remind DH how much work it is to do the laundry, shop for necessary vacation items, pack, prep the house to leave it for a week or two, arrange for any house sitting/pet care, etc. and THEN when you come home - the laundry, the going thru the mail, the dead plants to toss out, the stressed pets from being ignored or boarded, the I'm so dang tired I need a vacation feeling", and if you have children, whoa, another list....you get the idea.

 

[KimDW]

Thanks guys for the ideas. I live in the St Louis area and I'm going to look up some things to do here locally and then "present" it to him this weekend. I know I wouldn't enjoy the trip much because I'd be always thinking about money. Not a good de-stressor (as you guys pointed out).

Kimbra