An obsessive planner's 2nd annual Once-in-a-lifetime trip CANCELLED :( 3/22

[-Hope-]

Love the Club Cool idea!!!
I think you can totally cut TS and bring lunches. I would probably bring PB&J so I'm no help. we do eat some meals in the villa and bring our own snacks to the park ( my kids have rarely, if ever, had Disney snacks!).
Sorry people are so caught up in their own self-importance and can't answer a reasonable question.

Amanda

Thanks, the Club Cool day was lots of fun!

We'll prob do pb&j a couple of times but I figured if I did it for a week my kids might revolt. As for people being caught up in themselves, I'm finding it amusing at this point. I unsubscribed from the thread since I have plenty of ideas already but still couldn't help checking it earlier, they are getting more wrapped up in the bizarre, over the top stuff (a website suggesting cooking chicken breasts in the coffee pot??). You just have to laugh at the absurdity of it.

 

[-Hope-]

Well folks, I really don't want to be giving this update but here goes...

We've decided to cancel the trip. There are a lot of factors that went into the decision but the bottom line is that it just doesn't make good financial sense for us right now. I couldn't figure out how I was going to pay for this trip without taking most of it from our savings which I like to keep at a certain amount. It's there for emergencies and we usually only spend it if we need it or if it's above the amount we've designated as an emergency fund. We are a one income family and me being able to homeschool the kids is our FIRST priority; the emergency fund is a big part of why that's possible. Right now it doesn't have as much in it as we'd like and I just can't justify using it to pay for a trip to Disney this year.

We'll still go on our trips to Chicago and KC. They are both super cheap compared to Disney (combined they are about 2/3 the cost of Disney alone) and they are what the kids want the most. In fact when I talked to them about canceling the trip they both immediately wanted to know if we were still going to Chicago and KC. I guess for them Disney wasn't a big deal. I have been telling them all along that this trip wasn't for sure so that made it easier.

We'll still being doing Disney days with Karen and Savannah so be sure to check in with her PTR for those updates.

Thanks to all my readers who've helped me plan and supported my crazy.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

 

[Victoriasmom98]

So sorry about your Disney trip, but you have to do what is best for your family!!!

 

[Pixiedust530]

It's always sad to hear of anyone having to cancel their trip, but it sounds like you have your head on straight and are doing what's best for your family! Good for you! Hopefully you'll have some Pixie Dust sprinkled on you sometime in the near future & you will get to plan another Disney trip!

 

[lledman]

I am sorry to read about your change of plans. But keep faith – you’ll make it back sooner than you think.

 

[ronnmel]

Awwww, this is sad. At least I'm glad the kdis are taking it well.

 

[DrMomof3]

I'm sorry Hope. I know you must be very disappointed.


Amanda

 

[-Hope-]

Thanks for commiserating with me guys.

I am disappointed but I'm also a little relieved. I didn't realize just how much this was weighing on me until after I made the decision. I was watching every penny and not enjoying day to day life which is just not worth a one week vacation, even one at WDW. Tonight I got $2 Happy Meals for the kids and 2 for $1 movies from the video store. A little thing I know but something that I either wouldn't have done a few days ago or would have done and then felt stressed about it.

I'm also throwing my planning energy into redecorating Kya's bedroom. We'd promised her to update her room for her birthday (the wallpaper was put up when she was two and she feels like she's outgrown it). Now I can think about buying things to make it really special for her without worrying about how to afford that and save for Disney.

So, yes it's a little sad, especially since it would have been fun to be there with Karen, but I also feel really good about the decision.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I can't wait to hear all about Kya's "clean sweep"!! That's going to be a lot of fun planning!

Hmmmm...off to look at calendar's for 2013.

 

[Tink-erin-belle]

Wait! What? Cancelled? Oh, I’m sorry, but I know EXACTLY what you mean about the savings and having to do what is right for your family. I felt like I was reading my own PTR. I could picture myself the same way, feeling uncomfortable scrimping and saving for a trip and getting stressed out about it, not being able to enjoy day to day things. I’m glad the kids are taking it well and that you still have your KC and Chicago trips planned. It is kinda funny that they were more concerned about those trips that the WDW trip! Kids! I’m glad you’re happy about your decision and that it gave you a sense of relief. I’m also glad you’ll still be doing Disney Days with Karen! Speaking of which – Club Cool was a terrific idea! That looked like so much fun!

 

[-Hope-]

Wait! What? Cancelled? Oh, I’m sorry, but I know EXACTLY what you mean about the savings and having to do what is right for your family. I felt like I was reading my own PTR. I could picture myself the same way, feeling uncomfortable scrimping and saving for a trip and getting stressed out about it, not being able to enjoy day to day things. I’m glad the kids are taking it well and that you still have your KC and Chicago trips planned. It is kinda funny that they were more concerned about those trips that the WDW trip! Kids! I’m glad you’re happy about your decision and that it gave you a sense of relief. I’m also glad you’ll still be doing Disney Days with Karen! Speaking of which – Club Cool was a terrific idea! That looked like so much fun!

Thanks Erin, I know you understand what brought on this decision.

Club Cool was a fun day, be sure to check Karen's PTR next week so you can see what we have planned for Monday...