do the trip on a credit card? help please

[AnnaS]

Save the cash first. Luckly we never carry any balances, if we do, it's paid in a month or two. Put a few dollars away every week. I would rather have something paid and enjoy myself. I always say and tell people when they are charging things, if you don't have the extra money now, what makes you think you will have it next month or year (unless you are waiting for a bonus, gifted money, etc.). If I know something is about to break (could be oven, washer, etc.) or if I know we will need somthing new soon new, then I start to save/budget for it. As soon as I have most of it, I start shopping/browsing for it. I also feel that the only thing you should go in debt for is a mortgage car or education. Good Luck and try to wait if you can.

 

[jdm]

I use a card for everything, and I mean everything. I have an Alaska airline card and I use it for grocerys, utilities, gas, dining, movies and all our vacation expenses. If I could have our mortgage billed to it, I would! At the end of the month, I get one bill and can review how much went to living expenses, entertainment, etc. On vacations, I know exactly what we spent where. I write one check once a month and I pay the balance in FULL. I just spend what I would have spent writing checks all month long to all these various places. So far, in 3 years we've earned 6 free plane tickets and not spend a dime in interest. For us, I wouldn't consider any other way, but of course, you have to be responsible about it :~)

Jenn

 

[FatCow]

That's a great idea. Something that I've been doing since the first day I received my first CC. My parents taught me that too.

Always see your CC as your debit-card. If you're not 100% sure you'll have the cash to pay it all off at once, that means you can't afford it.

I use the above 'mantra' religiously... and what an airmiles collection I have.

 

[PamNC]

We paid for our trip this May with a credit card. We had 6 months no interest and paid it off within 2 months. In full! The only way I would do it would be if I were 100% sure I could pay it off before interest accrues. In this case, we had six months so it was easy to do.

Otherwise, I wouldn't do it - I would just wait until I could pay for the trip.

PamNC

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by FatCow
IMHO, a vacation is a luxury, not a necessity. If you don't have the money to pay for it all, that means you can't afford it.

It took me about 3 years before I can have my upcoming WDW trip and no vacation for me at all during all those years.

Very good point, very good!!
A couple of years ago, I paid for some of my Disney vacation on my Disney Credit Card, about $200 worth, it is now finally paid off!! (I let the balance drag as I didn't have the money to pay on it) The majority of the trip I put on my debit/credit card, but the money was in the bank so it was paid for. I put that last $200 on the Disney card so we would have a little extra spending money was there.
Now, it's cash or nothing!!! DH and I go other places like New Orleans, Atlanta, or Biloxi, but Disney just does not fit into the vacation picture until a couple of years of saving first. That's why our last trip was in 2001 and our next is in 2006.
I don't do credit cards because I know I cannot or will not pay a balance before interest starts to accrue. I will just stick to my Amsouth Debit/Credit card as I know the money is ALWAYS there when we need it.
I feel better knowing my trip is paid for BEFORE I leave.

 

[sdamico71]

Although I don't encourage using credit cards for every "whim" purchase, my feelings on this subject are really on an individual basis.
My thought is if your children would really benefit from the vacation (as well as you), then charge the vacation and enjoy yourself.
One never knows what tomorrow may bring, so you must enjoy yourself while you are able. Just don't overspend to the point that this purchase on your cards would break your budget when you return.