Am I crazy?

[bebelle]

I just paid the balance on our WDW trip scheduled for May. With the current economic conditions and the drastic reduction of our own personal portfolio, part of me is doubting whether we should take the trip. Am I crazy to have taken $4000 out of our savings to splurge on a WDW trip when we have already been there 15 times? I really don't want to disappoint our family and friends that are joining us on the trip. But it I am really second guessing our decision to go.

 

[Ishy]

I just paid the balance on our WDW trip scheduled for May. With the current economic conditions and the drastic reduction of our own personal portfolio, part of me is doubting whether we should take the trip. Am I crazy to have taken $4000 out of our savings to splurge on a WDW trip when we have already been there 15 times? I really don't want to disappoint our family and friends that are joining us on the trip. But it I am really second guessing our decision to go.

but you didnt say how many were going and what is covered by the 4000.
I am guessing you got the best rate/package available for a large family.

Otherwise I would suggest to see where you can cut costs, do a buget challange? I dont think you will cancel your trip.

For all I know, you could be one of those rich bankers with the million dollar bonus last year _ if that is the case, please - pump some money back into the economy!!!!

 

[brenalexacamp]

GO! life is too short to be putting things off- the bills will still be there when you get back- make sure mortgage is paid before you go.

15 times- you love it and your family is happy to go- make the memories while everyone is healthy. It costs what it costs-

have a great time!

 

[miprender]

With the way things are going... I say spend the money and enjoy before the whole country is bankrupt

 

[HeyIt'sMe]

OK, I'll be the fiscal conservative here and say spending $4,000 on a vacation - to a destination you've been to 15 times already - is not being fiscally responsible. This economy is just too volatile (and scary!) and personally, I'd feel better if I kept that $4,000 in our savings account.

I know people will say to go (life's too short, etc, etc) but I say save your money and plan a trip for when the economy is more stable. Whenever that happens.

FWIW, my family is not taking a vacation this year (and probably next year) because of the economy. We have money in our savings but I don't think it would be wise to use it for vacation at this time.

Good luck in your decision.

 

[elgerber]

I can understand your concerns, but I say if you can afford it and are happy with the things you have booked for that price, then you should go. If everyone stops taking vacations etc, because they are afraid, then the economy is going to get worse. I have a couple of trips planned for this year, including Disney and I am going without a second thought (luckily we are both still employed, if that were to change, perhaps the plans would also).

 

[mytwokiddies]

It is really a personal decision. Did you clear out your savings account to pay for the trip or do you still have a reasonable cushion?

I am still planning a trip in "this" economy. Those that can afford to need to spend to keep others employed. If everyone cancelled their disney trip, disney would have to lay off all the employees making the economy worse. This is a vicious circle - stop spending b/c we are scared just nets more people unemployed which makes more people scared who stop spending.

 

[andrews_dad]

Are you crazy? Hmmm .... do you hear voices telling you to do odd things? If yes, are the voices coming into your left ear, your right ear, or both?

Do you get very angry everytime you hear a bird chirp?

Do you wake up in the middle of the night and find yourself chewing on glass and nails?

If no, I think you are OK.

 

[Darcy03231]

Here's another vote to go, as long as you can afford it. I went to WDW in October 2008 for week (took my niece for her first trip), DH and I went on a cruise in January 2009 and I'm taking my two teens to US/IOA for April vacation this year. That's three trips in 6 months.

Travel is a priority for our family. We go without other things in order to be able to travel frequently. DH and I both drive cars for years until they die, we don't own the latest and greatest electronics/gadgets, we don't eat out, go to the movies, etc. We don't buy new furniture, redecorate our house (I have curtains up that we've had since we got married) and unless its on sale we don't buy it. We have no debt other than our mortgage which will be paid off in 8 years and one car payment that's done in June of this year DH and I both have stable jobs and we're still contributing to savings, retirement, and our children's college educations. As a previous poster pointed out if everyone had the hunker down and don't spend mentality the economy would be in worse shape than it is now. Those of us that can spend should in order to help keep it going.

 

[labdogs42]

Go, do your part to boost the economy! Thanks!

 

[Teacher03]

I am fighting the same dilemma. We are scheduled for June, everything is paid for except food and gas, but I am uneasy about going. My reasoning for going is my kids are all grown and moving on with their lives, and this might be the last time we will all be able to take a vacation together. So I guess I am saying GO! Telling you to go makes me feel better about going!

 

[2manypets]

I wouldn't hesitate to disappoint my friends and family if I didn't feel financially secure. Disney will be there for many years to come.

 

[Jennifer in MI]

For me, it would depend. Do you have more money in savings? Like, a significant amount? Is your or dh's job secure? If so, GO!!!!!

We are planning a WDW/cruise vacation for next January. But, dh's job is safe, we have plenty of money in the bank, etc. We're GOING!!!

 

[Kay1]

We're taking our usual vacation but it's not until July. If "anything happens" in the meantime, I'll shorten it or cancel it. One thing about Disney, if you decide $4,000 is too much, there are so many ways to cut that amount way down.

 

[wall*e2008]

Just remember that there is 281 Billion dollars right now sitting on the sideline that is waiting for the stock market bottom. Once we hit it that money will pour in and that will lead to hyper inflation that will result in a second recession to get the inflation under control. Experts were talking about this on Sunday.

So that $4K you save will not even buy you a WDW vacation in the near future. A loaf of bread maybe.

BTW I am going to WDW again very soon. I will not put my life on hold for a possible turndown in my standard of living. My 401K is down but my actual day to day living has not changed. I have my trip paid for already.

 

[catgirl]

Go! You never know what tomorrow will bring so you need to live for today (as long as you didn't wipe out your savings to go). Even in good economic times things can go bad, there are no guarantees in life. I hope you have a great time. I'm planning a trip in 2010 no matter who thinks I'm crazy!

 

[cwf1028]

If you can afford it then go. I tend to be very conservative with spending, but we are going! I try to remind myself when I start to get nervous about spending on a vacation but I try to remind myself of a saying I heard once "When it is all said and done, you will not regret the things you did do, but you will regret the things you did not do". I try to remind myself that financial security does not mean anything if you end up not living!

With that said, we have never carried a balance on a credit card and we always maintain a comfortable emergency fund. I don't think I could enjoy a vacation without that!