Alternative if the dollar isn't better by fall???

[Honeystar120608]

Have you crunched the numbers as to where the $ would have to be before you'd go? I think the days of it being at or near par were dream days that no one should expect to see return. Our dollar should not be, even in an idealistic world, on par with the USD. That is why my comparison is at an 80 cent dollar - I have done up a spreadsheet with what our next trip will cost, with the dollar at it's current state and I compare that to what it would cost if the dollar were at 80 cents, that difference is what we look at and ask "is it too much?" because honestly, you are going to have to put Disney on a pretty high shelf if you won't return until the dollar is at 80 cents. When you look at it on that comparison, it's not that bad - it still sucks but it at least adds some perspective.

There is also the cost of a bad vacation to consider. I think we have all done that - pick the 'smart' vacation that makes sense financially but doesn't have your heart in it - we have done that before and then found it was sort of a waste of money because we did not get the value out of it. I get if it's just not economically feasible for you to go. But if it's a matter of a $1000 and that $1000 is already sitting in the bank - then it's a matter of wrapping ones mind around the fact that our dollar is going to be like this for awhile so what is the plan for years to come.

This is exactly the conversation hubby and I had. I do the budgeting and I know what we can save. with the dollar as it is today it's a squeeze but it's manageable. I told him I don't see it as the exchange, we have to pay that anyway (and I had said the last time was probably around .80 for exchange). I said to him can you really picture us anywhere's else on vacation for our baby's first trip and during Christmas. He said no. Then I believe it to be worth it.

Do you know of a site where I can calculate if the dollar was at .75 or .80 to show him the difference?

 

[sherilaine]

This is exactly the conversation hubby and I had. I do the budgeting and I know what we can save. with the dollar as it is today it's a squeeze but it's manageable. I told him I don't see it as the exchange, we have to pay that anyway (and I had said the last time was probably around .80 for exchange). I said to him can you really picture us anywhere's else on vacation for our baby's first trip and during Christmas. He said no. Then I believe it to be worth it.

Do you know of a site where I can calculate if the dollar was at .75 or .80 to show him the difference?

I don't know of a site, I just do it all up on an excel spreadsheet - where I have a column that calculates the costs which are in USD in CAD based on current exchange and then another column where we use a happier exchange of say 80 cents, then you can add a column which calculates the difference. By doing this you just insert the current exchange rate and poof - you see what the difference is today vs. yesterday or last week or whenever you started. It's not that complicated really - if you don't know how to do this on excel - google can be great help!!

 

[seashell724]

I was just looking at the dollar as well. It is going to be much more expensive for the (already cheap) trip we had planned. That cheap trip is now quite pricey! My plan is to walk the line between frugal and having experiences we really want. We are probably going to be staying 4-5 nights less than we had planned, renting a small car instead of a van, eating in and taking food to parks much, much more so that we can have 2 really nice meals out. I had also hopped to do a lot of shopping at the outlets but it is just not worth it right now. So, that will save some money as well.

You could take advantage of just travelling somewhere cool in Canada as well. There is SO much offered here! See the Beluga whales or polar bears in Churchill, have a beach vacation in BC, go skiing in the Rockies, visit Quebec City (which I hear is gorgeous) or go lobster fishing on the east coast! I have done some of these and after our Disney trip if the $ stays low I will be focusing on some of these places in our own country!

 

[seashell724]

Oops, just saw that you said warm location. Look out for Westjet to have sales on their vacation packages. Those are in Cdn $. Also, you can get super cheap packages to Vegas for a few days if you want hot.

 

[nervous1sttimer]

Do you know of a site where I can calculate if the dollar was at .75 or .80 to show him the difference?

The problem is that you cannot calculate based on where the dollar actually is (and even then .75 is still too high). Every bank and currency exchange place pegs their buy/sell rates to make money on every transaction. You won't be able to exchange for whatever the actual rate value is, it's going to cost you more. Plus, depending on what credit card you use, you may get additional 2.5% forex transaction fees added in on top.

I was at the bank last week and the woman in front of me wanted $100 USD. It cost her $141.08 CAD. I would do your calculations at no more than .65 to be safe. We are going in a few weeks and started planning almost a year ago. The exchange rates we used for estimating started at .80 and now are using .60 to make sure we have it all covered.

 

[LemonNeko]

I'd look at RCL (lately I've been recommending them so much I deserve a commission). They have cruises in CAN$ and not sure if they are still doing it but they were giving a break on buying OBC so the exchange is much less painful.
I was originally planning on Disney for Jan 2017 but I'm going to price out a European cruise instead for 2017 as it may end up being not that much more except the flights.

 

[sherilaine]

The problem is that you cannot calculate based on where the dollar actually is (and even then .75 is still too high). Every bank and currency exchange place pegs their buy/sell rates to make money on every transaction. You won't be able to exchange for whatever the actual rate value is, it's going to cost you more. Plus, depending on what credit card you use, you may get additional 2.5% forex transaction fees added in on top.

I was at the bank last week and the woman in front of me wanted $100 USD. It cost her $141.08 CAD. I would do your calculations at no more than .65 to be safe. We are going in a few weeks and started planning almost a year ago. The exchange rates we used for estimating started at .80 and now are using .60 to make sure we have it all covered.

I agree - when I say I calculate based on the dollar being at 70 cents vs. 80 cents I use the bank exchange rate which adds several percentage points onto how much you pay for that money. For example the dollar was just shy of 71 cents on Friday, today you pay 44.3 cents more to buy a USD. If you invest the time in looking into the math you can set up something where you get a good idea how much more your vacation is costing - of course this is only valuable when you are thinking of cancelling - if you are going to go regardless then why torture yourself!

 

[samsteele]

Cruise lines that book in Cdn dollars but be sure to do your homework as there are some TAs that buy volume so can still offer a better deal overall even if paying in US dollars. Royal Carib is a great choice for budget minded Canadians. Disney Cruise Lines not so much given our dollar.

This year might be the year to consider Europe on a budget bus tour. I've done this in the past and while not a vacation (no sleeping in or laying on the beach) it is an incredible experience. There are lots of lower cost bus tour operators out there eg Trafalgar, Costsaver, etc.

 

[Madame]

CAD is not going to get better, but most likely worse...
http://www.windsorstar.com/loonie+unprecedented+plunge+cents+forecaster+warns/11647461/story.html

 

[mort1331]

We are now looking at some airbnb in PEI, check out our own country. Dollar is par...lol... and the country is beautiful.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

The latest forecast from Bloomberg...

http://www.windsorstar.com/loonie+unprecedented+plunge+cents+forecaster+warns/11647461/story.html

59 cents... right now as I type - it's sitting at 0.6987 or $1.4313 in US funds.

 

[pigletto]

Well that seals it, I've officially hit my comfort limit. We are booked for a trip in May, that luckily includes staying somewhere with a kitchen so we can save by eating in quite a bit. But after this trip, Disney will see me again when our CAD looks better.
We have always wanted to go to Banff/Jasper/Calgary as a family. That will be our 2017 trip for sure.

 

[seashell724]

Oh. My. Goodness. That seems impossible.

 

[xlxo]

Just think of what life was like 20yrs ago. Sports teams were sold off.

Perhaps what's different today is Canada does not want to raise interest rates like the USA does.

 

[greenclan67]

Well that seals it, I've officially hit my comfort limit. We are booked for a trip in May, that luckily includes staying somewhere with a kitchen so we can save by eating in quite a bit. But after this trip, Disney will see me again when our CAD looks better.
We have always wanted to go to Banff/Jasper/Calgary as a family. That will be our 2017 trip for sure.

I agree. We are doing our March trip for two weeks, we will be eating in most of the time. I have bought a few restaurant gift certificates the last few months that will cover about 3 meals out over the course of our 2 weeks, and that will be the only ones out. I have AP's for all 4 of us for the SW parks, so don't need to buy tickets. I am flying Southwest, and typically I only pack 2 suitcases for 4 of us. This time, I will pack a 3rd, (baggage being free) and will bring some dry goods to save for groceries, while watching the weight.
Then I think our usual summer vacation will be Canada side. We have enjoyed, Wisconsin dells, Virginia Beach, Chicago, Michigan Adventure, Williamsburg, but I am thinking PEI, or head west. Not sure yet!! And it will be our last trip to Florida for a bit. Sadly!

 

[quandrea]

I agree. We are doing our March trip for two weeks, we will be eating in most of the time. I have bought a few restaurant gift certificates the last few months that will cover about 3 meals out over the course of our 2 weeks, and that will be the only ones out. I have AP's for all 4 of us for the SW parks, so don't need to buy tickets. I am flying Southwest, and typically I only pack 2 suitcases for 4 of us. This time, I will pack a 3rd, (baggage being free) and will bring some dry goods to save for groceries, while watching the weight.
Then I think our usual summer vacation will be Canada side. We have enjoyed, Wisconsin dells, Virginia Beach, Chicago, Michigan Adventure, Williamsburg, but I am thinking PEI, or head west. Not sure yet!! And it will be our last trip to Florida for a bit. Sadly!

Same us us. We head down next week for two weeks. Eating in. Renting out our DVC after that. I keep reminding myself that travel is a privilege but I'm still a bit sad today.

 

[greenclan67]

Same us us. We head down next week for two weeks. Eating in. Renting out our DVC after that. I keep reminding myself that travel is a privilege but I'm still a bit sad today.

I am as well. We have been doing Xmas and March Break the last few years. It's going to be hard to pass it up. Especially knowing we are getting to the end of our vacation years with our now 14 & 16 year olds. Here's hoping 2017 is much better. I can handle 70 cents and find away to go. But with it continually dropping, I can't. I can just imagine our fly home day, how that will feel

 

[mshanson3121]

We are now looking at some airbnb in PEI, check out our own country. Dollar is par...lol... and the country is beautiful.

Check out VRBO as well, and consider Cape Breton as well. That place is soooo beautiful

 

[mshanson3121]

Just think of what life was like 20yrs ago. Sports teams were sold off.

Perhaps what's different today is Canada does not want to raise interest rates like the USA does.

They're expecting BOC to cut interest rates again next week. I mean that's just unprecedented. Unreal.

 

[quandrea]

They're expecting BOC to cut interest rates again next week. I mean that's just unprecedented. Unreal.

Yup. Shaking my head here.