Has Anyone Felt This Way???

[GOOFY4DONALD]

I do not know where else to post this and since it involves my family I thought it would be ok. I have been wanting to go back to WDW since we arrived on our last trip. Well I have planned everything (although the actual resort was up in the air). Even DH was excited about it (this is nothing short of a miracle). We are planning on going next Dec and we even talked about where we are going to eat. Here is the problem...For some reason I am feeling stress, doubt and even guilt for booking this trip. I don't know why. Maybe it's the economy I just don't know. We do not charge anything on the trip so we don't have a big bill when we get home. I even use mostly gift card for souvies. Has anyone felt this guilt for booking a vacation at the happiest place on earth? I sure don't remember feeling like this last time.

 

[daleswife]

im having the same trouble. to go or not to go. We are penny pinching now and to go just seems so wrong. Maybe its just those last minute jitters....I hope so anyhow...

 

[lucigo]

Two thoughts...

1. You are helping the economy by keeping the money flowing

2. If you plan ahead and pay for your trip over a year's time, you can enjoy your trip and never even feel the expense! I look at it like this...we don't eat out every weekend, buy Starbucks, heck going to target is a "night out" for us! But we do go on cruises and get year passes to Disney every few years...its all a matter of priorities!

 

[GOOFY4DONALD]

Two thoughts...

1. You are helping the economy by keeping the money flowing

2. If you plan ahead and pay for your trip over a year's time, you can enjoy your trip and never even feel the expense! I look at it like this...we don't eat out every weekend, buy Starbucks, heck going to target is a "night out" for us! But we do go on cruises and get year passes to Disney every few years...its all a matter of priorities!

I like the #1 reason. Taking trip does help so many people (sounds funny though). And we are going in December 2009. We plan ahead and the only money that really comes out of our household is the 200.00 deposit. I like to tell people that I put the trip on Layaway . So I have no idea why I would feel guilty...Maybe because I feel so bad for all of those people in the news and I feel like a trip may be innappropriate.

 

[LadyShea]

It's probably due to the economy. With people losing jobs and losing homes and the future so uncertain, almost anyone can feel guilt about spending money on non-necessities. It's a by product of compassion and empathy.

I feel, however, that with all this uncertainty we should grab what happiness and fun we can. During the Depression, people went to movies a lot...often choosing a movie over a meal. We humans NEED diversion and entertainment, especially when times are tough. So, as long as you aren't going into debt to take the trip, or taking food and shelter away from your kids to take the trip, you should go.

 

[atksn]

It's probably due to the economy. With people losing jobs and losing homes and the future so uncertain, almost anyone can feel guilt about spending money on non-necessities. It's a by product of compassion and empathy.

I feel, however, that with all this uncertainty we should grab what happiness and fun we can. During the Depression, people went to movies a lot...often choosing a movie over a meal. We humans NEED diversion and entertainment, especially when times are tough. So, as long as you aren't going into debt to take the trip, or taking food and shelter away from your kids to take the trip, you should go.

I agree entirely. I have had some friends ask "how are you going on vacation in a time like this? If you have the spare money, shouldn't you be investing it in something safe?". First of all, not their business to question . Secondly, I am investing it---- in my family. It isn't like the few thousand dollars that we are spending would make or break us if it came down to it.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

If you can afford it, it really is better for the economy if you go spend. If you feel guilty, think of this. What if Disney has to lay off people because not enough people are going. So, you are helping save someone's job in Orlando!

 

[luvmy3jewels]

We are going on a cruise next week and I'm feeling the same way. The reservations were made last summer when things weren't quite looking so bad, and now I regret making them. Everything is paid for, but I feel guilty for spending the money and not putting it in savings. My employer is beginning to make cuts and there is a good chance they will have to begin lay offs sometime next year. I'm so stressed/depressed about the economy right now it's going to be hard to sit back and enjoy a vacation!

 

[Camno's Mama]

I feel the guilt as well. I also feel like people might be judging us a little for going. In fact, I'm sure that some of them are.

But, it's great time spent together as a family. And I want to do it while we can. As our kids get older, and schedules get busier, I know it won't be so easy. Right now, the kids love Disney. So, I will take our opportunities when we can.

As a side note, we all make choices. For us, we choose to spend this money on a trip instead of new cabinets or something of the sort. We can't have it all. Sometimes it seems that people view travel or eating out or having coffee with friends as less important than repainting the kitchen or fixing the fence in the backyard. I personally feel that the fence will still be there next year, and I can handle the color of the kitchen for now. Time with family and friends is something I will never regret spending money on.

 

[snowwhitemom]

Dear Mercy....... I am having this same problem!!!!!!! I feel guilty and everyone is saying to save save save!!!

I have a 10 day trip to Hawaii next month and WDW at the beginning of March. I haven't even shared with many that we are going because of the " OHHHH". Or even the dreaded...."it must be nice" oh yeah and my all time favorite is "you can't do nothing with money"
Thats the one that gets me the most, the truth is I save well, We are AP and DVC. I have alligiant air and I can fly for each way 69. So why not, but I really don't feel I should have to explain nor do I every time.

Are you kidding me??? It is sad that what others say I allow to affect me, but the truth is I do, I am only sad that I haved booked thses trips because of the slack I will catch, not because of the economy. I don't use credit so the trip will be paid for long before I get there!!!!

Feel better and enjoy yourself!!!!

 

[tr-ray]

I am totally with you guys.
We paid for this trip (or will have it paid for tomorrow, in full) completely in cash, no credit cards.

Yet, I still feel horribly guilty, especially considering my mom is in a bad position financially. What do you do?

We only booked this trip because the 4/3 deal came up, and we were able to work out the finances of it. If we couldn't pay cash for the trip, we wouldn't have gone, plain and simple.

This will be our last trip for a few years, as my DD is so little. We won't go back until maybe 2011 or 2012, so I guess that's good enough reason as it is.

 

[homedad]

its funny that this is a topic but in todays economy its a reality. We are taking a family ski trip out west in Feb and then disney this fall. I sorta fell guilty but our income is pretty safe and we have no debt....but like others we don't mention the trips because of comments and looks.....if you can do it then enjoy!!!!!!

 

[ilandrazdsw]

I have the same concerns! We have been booked since Jan and paid since June, but the begining of October I went into panic mod and was very close to canceling....could the money be put to better use, was it a good time to go, what does the future hold, etc. Then I decided that it would be worth every penny to see the kids faces and be at WDW for Christmas day...We will be there 2 weeks from today!!!!

 

[Schmeck]

Just think what would happen if no one went anywhere - then the tourist industry would come crashing down too, more people would lose their jobs, blight would spread even more quickly, and our economy would have even less chance of recovering.

It's the people who are panicking and withdrawing from their planned activities who are making it harder to recover from this mess.

Go to WDW! Save the economy! I'm trying to sell my hubby on this idea too, but we have one DD going to college next year, and the other DD wants to enroll in private school. No free cash for us, but I wouldn't want anyone else to feel guilty about their ability to go on a vacation.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Yes I have ....every time I think about taking our big 10 day trip in Oct I freak that we shouldnt go and just save the money but then I say hey we can afford it, we need it so lets just go for it....but I still have not booked my room ressie yet!

 

[momejay]

I say don't feel guilty. (as long as you plan ahead & budget for it) Why would you feel guilty about having fun with your family?
I have had my brother telling me not to spend my money in WDW. Well why not? He goes out to the movies, has a gym membership, & eats out every other night. We barely go out to eat, I rent movies & don't even have cable tv. I save for 6 months before I start planning a trip. Why not go on vacation?
We have too many people who live without working, and we have altogether too many who work without living. ~Charles R. Brown