Feeling Stressed!!

[motherof4kids]

Before I tell you about the problem let me give you some history.

I have always been a huge Disney fan but believed that is was not grown-up of me to think disney 24/7. After really having a life changing event happen to me about a year ago I have been enjoying my realization that although I have 4 kids and am an adult I can still have fun and enjoy life.

Now this is the problem or concern. We went to disney feb. 2010 with family, I then went with DH for anniv. in Dec. 2010, and booked a cabin in dis for may 2011. We are excited and I got free dining for family of 6 the week is $3060 which is great.

The Problem is that we just began Dave Ramsey's steps and I am thinking that I should save the money for my bills. This has really got me thinking and I have till April 6th to cancel with no penalties. Please help!!!!!

 

[Marionnette]

Before I tell you about the problem let me give you some history.

I have always been a huge Disney fan but believed that is was not grown-up of me to think disney 24/7. After really having a life changing event happen to me about a year ago I have been enjoying my realization that although I have 4 kids and am an adult I can still have fun and enjoy life.

Now this is the problem or concern. We went to disney feb. 2010 with family, I then went with DH for anniv. in Dec. 2010, and booked a cabin in dis for may 2011. We are excited and I got free dining for family of 6 the week is $3060 which is great.

The Problem is that we just began Dave Ramsey's steps and I am thinking that I should save the money for my bills. This has really got me thinking and I have till April 6th to cancel with no penalties. Please help!!!!!

I think that you already know what you should be doing if you're following DR's baby steps. Is this what's causing your stress? Or are the bills so overwhelming that you're stressed out over paying them?

The decision whether to carry debt is a personal one. Some people handle it better than others. I would not be able to relax on vacation if I had an excessive amount of debt. But I wouldn't wait until the mortgage was paid off just to be able to vacation, either.

 

[njmom47]

You could just take this last trip, and then buckle down and concentrate on your finances. But if you're going to be worried the whole trip (and before and after) you might want to cancel the trip. I hate stressing about money!

 

[Havana]

Vacation feels much better if you are not worried about the cost. Disney will always be there next time if you decide to wait.
By the way, Dave Ramsey follower here

 

[mousebymarriage]

Do you already have the money together for the May trip, were you planning to put it on a credit card or will you be scrimping and saving until the very last minute until departure day?
Not asking you to answer this because it's honestly none of my business, I only mention it as questions to ask yourself.

The reason I mentioned the above is if the trip is already paid for or you already have all of the money put aside then I wouldn't worry about it and take the trip. If you were planning to put the entire trip on a credit card then I think you should either scale it down (bare bones if possible) or cancel it entirely. I say this because you are clearly trying to reduce your debt by doing Dave Ramsey's plan and putting the trip on a credit card (with intrest of course) will only add to your financial situation in a negative way.
Lastly, if you will have to scrimp and save until the very last minute for this trip then I would definately cancel or maybe reschedule for a date next year or so giving you the time to save for it and not have to worry about it.

I have been in all three of the situations that I mentioned and taking a trip that you will have to worry about every dime really s**ks, learned my lesson on that one and will never do it again! I am amazed at how much more enjoyable and relaxed a trip is when the entire thing is paid in full (spend money and all) and you know that there will be no vacation debt waiting for you when you return.
Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

[a1tinkfans]

Before I tell you about the problem let me give you some history.

I have always been a huge Disney fan but believed that is was not grown-up of me to think disney 24/7. After really having a life changing event happen to me about a year ago I have been enjoying my realization that although I have 4 kids and am an adult I can still have fun and enjoy life.

Now this is the problem or concern. We went to disney feb. 2010 with family, I then went with DH for anniv. in Dec. 2010, and booked a cabin in dis for may 2011. We are excited and I got free dining for family of 6 the week is $3060 which is great.

The Problem is that we just began Dave Ramsey's steps and I am thinking that I should save the money for my bills. This has really got me thinking and I have till April 6th to cancel with no penalties. Please help!!!!!

If you are "worrying" about it, I think you should go with your gut....which seems to be speaking to you

 

[Abbeys_mom]

I have been in all three of the situations that I mentioned and taking a trip that you will have to worry about every dime really s**ks, learned my lesson on that one and will never do it again! I am amazed at how much more enjoyable and relaxed a trip is when the entire thing is paid in full (spend money and all) and you know that there will be no vacation debt waiting for you when you return.
Good luck in whatever you decide!

This.

We started DR on 1/1/11. We had a trip planned for 1/5/11, with the hotel booked and paid on a credit card (naturally), and AP's already in place (also bought on a cc the previous summer). We listened to TMMO on the way to The Land and on the way back, and were very careful while we were there, but still felt that we should not be enjoying the trip - that was how we honestly felt. Our next trip will be when we are debt free and paid in cash. I am really looking forward to that trip!

We are also teaching by example for DD. She is seeing us act our wage, and that it is not all about instant gratification. Telling your kids might be hard, but if they are old enough, this will hopefully be a lesson for them to remember when they are older.

BTW, we are so glad we started TMMO when we did! Since then, we have paid off two cards with my bonus instead of blowing it. We are able to cash flow our $3,500 tax bill, and we were able to easily cash flow DDs school deposit for next year. Had we not started DR, we would be up a creek right now. Instead, we are able to handle it because we have a plan in place.

Good luck on your journey, we are right there with ya!