Budgeters, I need your advice on this trip..

[DreadpiratK]

It's getting close to the time when we need to pull the trigger on our September trip to Disney, and I'm trying to decide what to do. I know some of you may be in similar situations, so I'd like you're opinions.

Background: We have 5 kids, DS 20, DD18, DS 16 DD 5 and DD 4.

4 years ago my business went under, and everything fell apart. We were 300K in debt with no income. Fast forward to now, I have a good job, and am only 50K in debt including my house. The only reason I mention this is because our goal is to be debt free, a la Dave Ramsey, and after going through all of that, we are uber careful with money now. This is why we should not go to Disney this year.

BUT this year my oldest DD graduated high school, and will be going to college. (online for the first semester) So it's probably her last year going on the family vacation My oldest DS already left for college last year, so I'm kind of sensitive about this. Plus it's been a life long goal for me to take my parents to Disney- the last time they were there we used E tickets to ride SM! They sacrificed to take us as kids, and I want to take them back while they can still enjoy it. They are by the grace of God healthy and active, but not getting any younger. My dad went through Prostate cancer this year (he's totally fine now, but scared the heck out of us) and who knows how many more years they will be able to go with us?

I know what Dave Ramsey would say "get out of debt first", rice and beans and all that, and he'd be absolutely right. But there are other factors to consider, and we've been on rice and beans for a long time now. We haven't been to Disney in 5 years, and if we wait till we are completely debt free to go back, most likely none of my older kids will be able to go with us, and possibly not my parents either.

We're not going crazy here, we're doing the homeschool days, so cheap tickets and staying off site and so on. The trip is 100% cash, no new debt (I'll NEVER do that again!) It will not impact our budget or our emergency fund in any way, we have the money to go, but it will set back our debt free goal by about 3-4 months, possibly more.

I know I'm stacking the deck here by asking a bunch of Disney fans, but I'd like input before making a final decision.

What would you do?

 

[Planogirl]

I think that if your debt is in control and will stay that way if you take a budget trip then its OK to treat yourself. However, you HAVE to stay on your budget and can't add more debt IMO.

We have some controlled debt (most paid off in 5 months - YAY!) and I've been saving for a cheap trip. Hotel rooms (offsite) are free from points, food and extras will come from piggy bank savings and we have passes already. We need a rental car and to pay for gas and I hope to do that with bonus money. I will NOT use credit or savings.

Prepare to hear from those who disagree though.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I would go! If you wait for the "perfect time" to go you will never go. If you wait, your parents may not be able to go, your older kids probably won't want to go. I would book the trip! I would make it as special as you can.

 

[Luvchefmic]

I would go! If you wait for the "perfect time" to go you will never go. If you wait, your parents may not be able to go, your older kids probably won't want to go. I would book the trip! I would make it as special as you can.

I absolutely agree and for the simple reason that kids grow up and parents pass away...nothing is guaranteed in life...not the next second of breath I take when I type this or you read it...nothing GO FOR THE TRIP !

For the record- July 9th will be 10 years since my dear Daddy passed away...the Disney trip never happened..

 

[LuLuO]

You sound like you are well in control of your finances now. I would go and have a great time...but stay within your budget.

 

[ksumn1]

I say go. If you have a handle on your debt, won't be adding any new debt not impacting your emergency fund...then go for it. Your kids and parents aren't getting any younger and it sounds like that's a major factor in booking the trip.

Go, have fun and enjoy it.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I would go and have fun!

 

[NeedaVacation03]

It sounds like you have a great handle on your situation. I would go for sure. If my father was well enough I would love to take my parents to Disney. I say go now while the opportunity is there. As long as you stay on track and get back on track when you return, I say all is good. Go have a great time.

 

[sydneysmom]

Go. You never know when you'll get this perfect opportunity again. And you may be able to find just as good a deal on property if you stay at a mod or a value.

We follow Dave Ramsey pretty religiously. But by the same token, we understand that it's okay to ENJOY LIFE. God gives us but one life. Now, I don't advocate going around blowing cash, but something like this is an opportunity of your lifetime. Take it.

Oh and serious congrats on bringing your debt down $ 250K ! holy cow. Go to Disney, you deserve it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[QVCshopper]

This is an example of why I like Suze Orman better than Dave Ramsey. She says people first, then money, then things. It's very true. So, go have fun on your budget trip.

 

[saraalison]

Take the trip!! If you were to pass on this opportunity and it never presented itself again, would you regret not taking it? More so than if you did go and extended your debt a few months? Go! Enjoy yourself and the time you have with your family! Life is way too short to live with "if only"!

 

[DawnM]

Go! Enjoy!

 

[momof1princess]

OP, from what you've posted, you've done an EXCELLENT job of paying down your debt and getting a handle on your finances, and you deserve a BIG and pat on the back for doing so well! based upon your family situation and the fact that this trip won't create any new debt for you and only sets your debt-free goal back 3-4 months, i would say go for it. a trip with your parents and kids is precious, and something many of us can only wish to do.

 

[Carl Fredricksen]

You sound like you are well in control of your finances now. I would go and have a great time...but stay within your budget.

I agree. You have done really well, so treat yourself for the victory you have achieved. Just no new debt, must be a cash trip.

Have fun!

 

[HeatherC]

Carpe Diem!!! (Seize the day) because Tempus Fugit (Time Flys) and there may not be a tomorrow!!!!

Just don't incur any more debt to do it.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

This is an example of why I like Suze Orman better than Dave Ramsey. She says people first, then money, then things. It's very true. So, go have fun on your budget trip.

My pal QVC said exacly what I was going to say exactly! Great minds, huh?

First off, if yo uhave gone from $300,000 to $50,000 including your house in such a short time yo uhave been doing amazing.
Sexond, family is everything, you can't put a price on those memories for yourself, your kids and your parents.

We go to Disney every other year with my grandparents who gave me my love of Disney taking me every other year as a kid. Each trip they say they are getting old and this is their last and as soon as we get back they start talking about their next. We have such wonderful memories with them and with our kids.

*Side note, my grandparents are not wealthy, they have SS and a pension but otherwise not much. They still manage to save to go with us (on a budget trip) because it is important to them. My mom and her DH are very wealthy. They have never gone with us though my mom has always wanted to, because of "the expense" (their words.) Well, now her DH has cancer and is terminal, he is not healthy enough to travel. Now whle I am not one to say live beyond your means, I am one to say to enjoy your life too, have balance. Being in debt, no it isn't a good thing, but not enjoying your life and doing the things that are important to you when you have the money to enjoy them, which you do, isn't a good choice either. You only get one life, your kids and parents aren't getting any younger. Go for it, have an amazing time and when you get hoem you can get right back on track!

 

[Swimalie]

I would go! If you wait for the "perfect time" to go you will never go. If you wait, your parents may not be able to go, your older kids probably won't want to go. I would book the trip! I would make it as special as you can.

I agree, too. My dad has prostate cancer (had surgery but it had spread first so he still has it). Go now while you can. Just do it as budget friendly as you can and enjoy it. You've done a great job of getting your debt down over the last few years. So enjoy that feeling, too.

By the way, this past March we took our son to Disney for his 5th birthday. My parents came for 3 days of our 6 days. It was extra special to see my dad and son have fun at Disney since, with the cancer and the fact that my parents are 70, I never know if they will be able to do that again. Even though they are in excellent health (dad still wins triathlons) you never know. Take the trip and enjoy!

 

[trip]

Go! I bow down to someone that can pay off $250,000 in 4 years!!!

 

[christinejane1972]

Look into Lexington Suites Hotel, if you haven't booked one yet. I've been searching Orlando Hotels for a few months now, and I've found them to be the cheapest, plus they offer bkfst every morn.

 

[MarilIncredible]

I would go, staying offsite in a condo, and just make it a budget trip. Breakfast in the room before heading out, carrying along a few snacks, mostly QS meals with maybe one or two TS meals, each kid gets his/her own souviner budget for themselves and that is it for them, no extra parties or BBB, etc.

Some folks here even talk about bringing in extra burger buns and getting the double cheeseburgers and splitting them, or pre-buying souviners for their kids before the trip.