Dave Ramsey and Vacation

[C.Ann]

The vacation in Jan was only with one of our three kids. In the 8 months since, We have dealt with a cancer scare with our son ,my father having quadruple bypass surgery, my mother becoming a paraplegic, my husbands father in the hospital with an intestinal disorder, and the death of 5 beloved pets. Not to mention, having to hire all new employees twice, and having employees steal money from us. I DO feel the need to recharge, I want to run away, if only for a week, with my precious little family, and enjoy them away from the strains of business, employees, ailing parents, house repairs , school, etc. This has been the hardest year of my life to date. I certainly am not looking for sympathy from you all, life has its bumps and storms, and I am in the middle of some of them, but I also am not looking for judgement, just wanted a simple answer on what DR had to say on a subject. I guess you all did not need to know all those details but, I guess it is a natural instinct to defend yourself when you feel someone is wrong about you.

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All of that info wasn't necessary in order to "defend" yourself - although I know full well where you are coming from.. If you took two trips or ten trips, it doesn't really make any difference as long as you're staying on track with your goals and paying for your vacations with cash.. Some people need "recharging" more frequently than others - for a number of reasons..

So sorry for all you have been through in the past months.. Hopefully the worst is behind you and it will be clear sailing ahead..

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

But this will be your second WDW vacation in 8 months (January and September 2007). That is certainly not needed to recharge.

People are different. Some people NEVER need or take vacations. Some need to get away several times each year.

I know my husband and I need to get away a couple a times a year or else I will lose my mind.

We both have stressful jobs & a busy household (2 kids, plus their boyfriend and girlfriend who are over quite often and my 2 elderly parents). My kids are great, but my parents are very difficult to handle. They are in their late 80's and there is always something medically going on, some type of illness or operation. I try my best to keep them happy & healthy, but they also have difficult personalities.

I am their sole caretaker, so whenever I get a chance to get away, I run!!!

 

[mickeyfan2]

People are different. Some people NEVER need or take vacations. Some need to get away several times each year.

I know my husband and I need to get away a couple a times a year or else I will lose my mind.

We both have stressful jobs & a busy household (2 kids, plus their boyfriend and girlfriend who are over quite often and my 2 elderly parents). My kids are great, but my parents are very difficult to handle. They are in their late 80's and there is always something medically going on, some type of illness or operation. I try my best to keep them happy & healthy, but they also have difficult personalities.

I am their sole caretaker, so whenever I get a chance to get away, I run!!!

That is fine if you are not doing DR and in the snowball stage. If you want to get out of debt you need to make tough decisions. Taking multiple vacations maybe the reason for needing to do DR.

Why bother doing DR when you will make excuses for expenditures that are not a need?

 

[OKWAnneMarie]

That is fine if you are not doing DR and in the snowball stage. If you want to get out of debt you need to make tough decisions. Taking multiple vacations maybe the reason for needing to do DR.

Why bother doing DR when you will make excuses for expenditures that are not a need?

I never said I was doing DR or that I was in debt. I was just making a statement on WHY people feel the need to take vacations. Sometimes your mental health has to take priority.

Everyone is different and these are all personal decisions and the OP doesn't need to defend her decision to take 2 vacations within one year. That is her business.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I never said I was doing DR or that I was in debt. I was just making a statement on WHY people feel the need to take vacations. Sometimes your mental health has to take priority.

Everyone is different and these are all personal decisions and the OP doesn't need to defend her decision to take 2 vacations within one year. That is her business.

I was refering to the OP not to you.

If all she wants is for others to tell her she really needs this vacation, then why ask, just go.

 

[crisi]

Why bother doing DR when you will make excuses for expenditures that are not a need?

I think one big difference is that some people think they NEED vacations. And you can't work 24x7 and maintain mental and physical health. But what no one NEEDS is trips to WDW. If you need to recharge, you can go camping, you can stay home for a week and enjoy the free events and attractions in your city.

For those of us who are convinced these aren't needs and are financially conservative to start with, this along with debt to start with is a horrifying combination.

To the OP - no you can't do that on Dave Ramsey's plan. You can go anyway - its your life. It will take you longer to get out of debt, and their is the possibility that if you can't make this sacrifice, over the long term, you won't get out of debt. Eight months from now there may be more family events that you can justify a family vacation with - with your debt still not paid down. You certainly don't need my permission to go - but you shouldn't ask if you aren't looking for advice.

To some extent, debt reduction is like breaking a habit. If you drink too much - maybe you aren't actually an alcoholic - but you drink too much - and you want to stop - you won't stop if "well, today was a really hard day, I'll just have a beer." and "well, it IS a special occation, we should get a bottle of wine." Or "gee, you poured that drink for me - well, I guess I have to drink it now."

 

[daisax]

Except that isn't what Ramsey says. Ramsey's program is that you limit yourself to needs - real needs (food and shelter) until your debt is paid.

I seem to recall he's okay (or even extremely pro) tithing, so maybe you can tithe to Walt!

 

[Malificient Tater]

OK we have been working on and off of the Dave plan for awhile now. I see it as a life change. He is in my head helping the little angel on my shoulder keep me in check at times.

I am not hard core beans and rice, nothing wrong with that, just we did bare bones with only having allowances for the child to have some fun. And we finally had to stop, we were too hard on ourselves. So we have given each other a little allowance and breathing room and actually things are moving along better.

Dave wants people to have money and not be a slave to the lender. If you are paying cash or even the slight rental car on credit, so be it. It is your life. Dave says it is your life. The plan does not want you to go and charge a 3000 vacation making 5 bucks and hours 10 hours a week.

And I think the fact that you are trying to justify it with yourself is a good thing. You are looking at the bigger picture and your family. I have to justify to myself stuff all the time, because we have to live while we are on earth. We took a small vacation, weekend thing one year, and my Hubby told his boss " it is cheaper to go on a mini vacation than to pay for therapy or a divorce"

 

[TnTWalter]

OK People was the OP ....WOULD YOU GO ON VACATION IF YOU WERE IN DEBT???.....

IF it was; then we could explain how we are SMART using credit cards instead of that silly cash [even though it's been studied by CREDIT CARD COMPANIES that people SPEND 37% MORE with CREDIT than they would with CASH]....AND we could write about how we DESERVE vacations because OUR life is SO STRESSFUL [as opposed to whom?]; how Dave Ramsey is Stupid and it's COMMON SENSE [yet most people don't follow and SCOFF at it] OR you should only listen to Insert Name here...WHATEVER....

But was the OP....

DAVE RAMSEY AND VACATION...I am reading Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover". I don't see anything so far about his opinion on vacationing if you have not paid off all of your debt. For those of you who are doing the makeover, have you ever read or heard him address this issue?

I am just tired of everything turning into a 'my toy is better than your toy' battle....if you have a plan that is WORKING, good for you, but could you KINDLY start YOUR OWN POST talking about how YOU BECAME WEALTHY doing X,Y,Z?

I really should delete this but I'm not going to.......sorry I'm a tad cranky......perhaps I NEED my DESERVED VACATION [that's already PAID FOR].... or perhaps a brewsky will do!!!
Thanks

 

[TnTWalter]

The vacation in Jan was only with one of our three kids. In the 8 months since, We have dealt with a cancer scare with our son ,my father having quadruple bypass surgery, my mother becoming a paraplegic, my husbands father in the hospital with an intestinal disorder, and the death of 5 beloved pets. Not to mention, having to hire all new employees twice, and having employees steal money from us. I DO feel the need to recharge, I want to run away, if only for a week, with my precious little family, and enjoy them away from the strains of business, employees, ailing parents, house repairs , school, etc. This has been the hardest year of my life to date. I certainly am not looking for sympathy from you all, life has its bumps and storms, and I am in the middle of some of them, but I also am not looking for judgement, just wanted a simple answer on what DR had to say on a subject. I guess you all did not need to know all those details but, I guess it is a natural instinct to defend yourself when you feel someone is wrong about you.

I think you need to COMMIT to the plan and see it through. I didn't realize you had just been to WDW. I'm sorry about all you've been through. Being out of debt will alleviate a LOT of family stress. Your kids will love WDW now or a YEAR from now and you can make it a family goal. Just my opinion, you can and should do what you want. Best of luck and hopefully the years to come will be brighter and better!

Trish

 

[JunieJay]

I think one big difference is that some people think they NEED vacations. And you can't work 24x7 and maintain mental and physical health. But what no one NEEDS is trips to WDW. If you need to recharge, you can go camping, you can stay home for a week and enjoy the free events and attractions in your city.

For those of us who are convinced these aren't needs and are financially conservative to start with, this along with debt to start with is a horrifying combination.

To the OP - no you can't do that on Dave Ramsey's plan. You can go anyway - its your life. It will take you longer to get out of debt, and their is the possibility that if you can't make this sacrifice, over the long term, you won't get out of debt. Eight months from now there may be more family events that you can justify a family vacation with - with your debt still not paid down. You certainly don't need my permission to go - but you shouldn't ask if you aren't looking for advice.

To some extent, debt reduction is like breaking a habit. If you drink too much - maybe you aren't actually an alcoholic - but you drink too much - and you want to stop - you won't stop if "well, today was a really hard day, I'll just have a beer." and "well, it IS a special occation, we should get a bottle of wine." Or "gee, you poured that drink for me - well, I guess I have to drink it now."

This is great advice. I'm sending this on to a loved one who has herself in deep debt doo doo for the umpteenth time. I already bought her a copy of DR's book from the suggestions I got on the DIS. I haven't read the book myself and really know nothing about the plan specifics (I'm a CC girl myself, we love the rewards, but we don't carry debt on them, we only buy what we can pay off each month). But the above sounds like practical advice to me. If you really want to do the program, get out of debt before vacationing, I bet you'll feel its so much more deserved and feel a real sense of pride afterward.

 

[bullet875]

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All of that info wasn't necessary in order to "defend" yourself - although I know full well where you are coming from.. If you took two trips or ten trips, it doesn't really make any difference as long as you're staying on track with your goals and paying for your vacations with cash.. Some people need "recharging" more frequently than others - for a number of reasons..

So sorry for all you have been through in the past months.. Hopefully the worst is behind you and it will be clear sailing ahead..

I agree. Only go if you can pay cash. Could that cash be better put towards debt reduction? Sure it could. Could that cash help you reach finanical goals faster? Sure. One thing is certain: do not increase your debt load for a vacation. IN fact the only time that personal debt is truly wise is if the items that it purchases will increase in value and the only two things I know of that do that are a house (though real estate is a bit iffy these days, but when the crisis is over, housing value will increase again) and student loans (because they increase your marketability and skill set) Suze Orman agrees that these are the only two types of personal "good debt".

You should look at your finances and see exacty what your debt load is. Can you afford your current debt repayment plan without the moeny that you will use for WDW? Would the WDW money bring you a lot closer to negating the bad personal debt? How far back will going to WDW set you in your debt repayment plan? These are some things that ned to be considered. Also, as another person said, you have to go cold turkey sometimes if the temptation to spend on wants with money that you don't have is too strong.

DR's plan is a very good one... it is very very strict though and really allows for no wiggle rooms with debt repayment. However, a personal financial advisor would do exactlythe same thing...take your money, pay your debts and give you a very strict allowance for needs (no wants).

 

[princessofcandles]

I really should delete this but I'm not going to.......sorry I'm a tad cranky......perhaps I NEED my DESERVED VACATION [that's already PAID FOR].... or perhaps a brewsky will do!!!
Thanks

For the record... I didn't do it

I just answered a question. I didn't know DR was a "hot topic" here.

That being said... I am a DR girl. Hubby (who btw owns his own business too) and I cleared $40k in debt in 2 years doing hard core rice and beans. And we are now Debt-free except morgage. We "gave" each other allowences so we would have burn money (this is listed in the DR budget). I saved mine and took us to Vegas. I certainly live like no one else to live like no one else. I was pretty money minded before DR but have gotten militant thrifty (and extreamly environmental about excess and waste) since. We had a blow out gorgous wedding 3 years ago and I swore I was gonna come in at $3,000 or under. I hit right on it. I'm doing a disney plan with park and dining and travel and am coming in at $750 per person. Not bad I think.

Everyone can certainly do what they want but for me... what I DESERVE and what will REDUCE STRESS is not having to worry about money.

 

[jwann]

Except that isn't what Ramsey says.

Clearly you've never listened to him on the radio or read his books. He says, "Personal finance is more personal than finance" quite often.

 

[crisi]

Clearly you've never listened to him on the radio or read his books. He says, "Personal finance is more personal than finance" quite often.

If he means "but in the end, you can go on vacation if you really want" then I've lost what little respect I had for the man to start with - which wasn't much. Because if he is going to sell a plan, he needs to tell people they need to commit to the plan or it won't work.

 

[TnTWalter]

If he means "but in the end, you can go on vacation if you really want" then I've lost what little respect I had for the man to start with - which wasn't much. Because if he is going to sell a plan, he needs to tell people they need to commit to the plan or it won't work.

That's not what he means at all. He means that it's more heart than head. He always tells people to ONLY do his plan if you're going to DO his plan. If you're going to hodge podge it, well then it's really YOUR plan not HIS plan. For example, he recommends stopping 401k contribution for SHORT term [if you can be out of debt within 1.5 years otherwise, keep contributing] to GET OUT OF DEBT FAST. But if you stop 401K and still take a vacation or take 3 years to pay off debt, you're doing WORSE than you would have if you hadn't done anything.

........................................bleep.............................................

UGH. Done.

Trish

 

[mickeyfan2]

That's not what he means at all. He means that it's more heart than head. He always tells people to ONLY do his plan if you're going to DO his plan. If you're going to hodge podge it, well then it's really YOUR plan not HIS plan. For example, he recommends stopping 401k contribution for SHORT term [if you can be out of debt within 1.5 years otherwise, keep contributing] to GET OUT OF DEBT FAST. But if you stop 401K and still take a vacation or take 3 years to pay off debt, you're doing WORSE than you would have if you hadn't done anything.

But again, this isn't a "LET"S DEBATE DAVE RAMSEY" Post and YOUR posts are what I have issue with. Obviously you have a GREAT financial plan, good for you....and you OBVIOUSLY do NOT agree with Dave Ramsey, that's also fine, so WHY do you HAVE to respond or even read posts with DAVE RAMSEY in the titles when you CLEARLY DO NOT AGREE????

UGH. Done.

Trish

Damn and I was trying for that honor!!!

 

[TnTWalter]

I was trying to censor myself!! LOL.

So anyone have good budget tips??

I'm not buying bottled water or wine for the rest of the month and I would LOVE both right now, ESPECIALLY the WINE. AND I gave up DIET COKE. Haven't had it in 2 weeks!! Could this be my crankiness???

Trish

 

[KristinU]

Well...we just called Dave's show this past Friday and shouted "WE'RE DEBT FREE!!!" And did it by cutting back to just about nothing - and part of that was cancelling a WDW trip for this fall and renting out DVC points (yeah, yeah, I know Dave would have us selling it...but we were comfortable renting out points and keeping it since we'd just buy back in when we were out of debt).

We're a closer family now because we realized we could have fun and relaxation just by staying at home and riding our bikes or working in our garden or walking to the park. And we're having a great time planning for our next trip that will be paid for in cash.

I'm just sayin' is all...

 

[crisi]

That's not what he means at all. He means that it's more heart than head. He always tells people to ONLY do his plan if you're going to DO his plan. If you're going to hodge podge it, well then it's really YOUR plan not HIS plan. For example, he recommends stopping 401k contribution for SHORT term [if you can be out of debt within 1.5 years otherwise, keep contributing] to GET OUT OF DEBT FAST. But if you stop 401K and still take a vacation or take 3 years to pay off debt, you're doing WORSE than you would have if you hadn't done anything.

........................................bleep.............................................

UGH. Done.

Trish

Then he is not saying what the poster who made the quote was interpreting the statement as..... And we agree..... You, me and Dave Ramsey - if you are going to follow his plan - follow his plan. Don't turn his plan into "your personal plan" and expect it to work like his plan.