How do you bite the bullet?

[disneylovinmom3]

We have our first family trip scheduled for 11/26-12/4, I have been planing this trip seriously for six months and pre-planing for five or more years. We are making our final payment in a few weeks and for some reason I'm having second thoughts, I don't know what it is that makes me second guess it so badly. I grew up with nothing and we struggled for everything so I know I'm beyond cheap and I also know that financially we are in a place that we don't have to worry but for some reason the price just gives me pause, I don't quite get it. How do you stop being cheap and see this as not just a large sum of money but as something you can't get back? I think that not going on vacations as a kid is part of the problem as well because it wasn't part of my lifestyle.

 

[manning]

Very gingerly. Too hard and it will explode.

 

[BarbMike821]

You can't get it back? Sweetie, you get it back ten fold! Twenty years from now they aren't going to remember the money spent and the struggle to get it saved. They're going to remember the moments and talk about the magic and meeting their favorite characters and what it was like to go on space mountain. And THAT will be worth every penny.

 

[FortForever]

Experiences and happy memories are worth far more than money in the bank. Tomorrow is never promised. Do it.

 

[Scootypuffjr]

You can always make more money, but you can't always make more memories.

 

[cjbcam]

My DH and I have been together for 20yrs (married 15) and he refused to take holidays. Well about four years ago we went on our first trip to Disney and ever since we have gone somewhere each year on holiday. It took that one time for him to realize that making memories is what life's about.

 

[ellie05]

Just make the final payment and don't look back. Whenever your mind starts drifting to any negative/money related about the trip stop yourself and think of how much fun your family is going to have or if it is easier think of something else. I am all for saving, but not to the extreme. Money is great only if you can use it to enjoy yourself once we leave this earth we won't take a penny with us.
Start doing this now so when you are on your trip you can enjoy it instead of being worried about the money you are spending. Seriously if it is so bad to the point you won't be able to enjoy yourself you should go seek help and deal with it before your trip gets here otherwise you won't enjoy it.

 

[ConnecticutFlea]

I understand. I have the cheap gene too and I always get ill when spending large amounts of money.

If you know you can afford it, take a deep breath and send the final payment. Then forget about it.

 

[TwoMisfits]

By making sure the cost isn't so large that I have that question...it's why my vacation payment is kept well under 5 figures. If I started thinking it was $8-$10K, I probably couldn't pull the trigger, either...I could have 1/2 a car or more for that...

 

[Marionnette]

We have our first family trip scheduled for 11/26-12/4, I have been planing this trip seriously for six months and pre-planing for five or more years. We are making our final payment in a few weeks and for some reason I'm having second thoughts, I don't know what it is that makes me second guess it so badly. I grew up with nothing and we struggled for everything so I know I'm beyond cheap and I also know that financially we are in a place that we don't have to worry but for some reason the price just gives me pause, I don't quite get it. How do you stop being cheap and see this as not just a large sum of money but as something you can't get back? I think that not going on vacations as a kid is part of the problem as well because it wasn't part of my lifestyle.

We have savings that is specifically earmarked for vacationing and travel. We don't scrape together money for years in order to go. We don't sacrifice eating nutritious food in order to go to Disney. We don't have HD antennae and watch Hulu just so that we can visit Disney. I think that it is much more difficult to let go of money that was so hard to accrue. We have travel as a line item in our budget and when it comes time to pay for a vacation, we pull the money from that account and spend it. That's what it is there for.

You've had years of pre-planning and 6 months of real planning to come to terms with the amount of money you are about to spend. Something kept you from turning back and canceling your plans up to this point. Draw on that "something" for the resolve that you need to make this last step. Then don't look back at the money you have spent. It served the purpose it was intended to fulfill.

 

[hsmamato2]

what others have said.... money spent on travel is 'getting something back'- I much prefer actual memories of fun times to money spent on material things......(this is after necessities money,food-shelter-clothing aren't in this category) Like Marionette said a line item in the weekly budget and a plan keeps things in perspective, and helps to see clearly that you do have the $ to spend on this(you noted that you had enough no problem)

 

[QVCshopper]

OP, I get you. Same story, grew up poor, hard time spending money. Growing up in that situation changes you to the core. To me, a big lump sum sitting in a mutual fund is mental stability, even if it's mostly slated for retirement and kids' college because ultimately we have everything we need.

But, I do my tricks to make the vacation money stretch a little, like work extra, buy Disney gift cards at a discount, and even use the dreaded Disney Savings Account to get a bit back, and I just pay it off without looking back. It's just money, I can make more and I can save more. And, I want to make memories and do things with my family because the kids grow so so fast!

Good luck!

 

[kymom99]

I had a talk with my son who is 17. I told him something not many parents tell their kids, because I was like you. No vacations as a kid and also none till I was well into my 20s and working full time. I was too cautious. I told him to take the time now to pick up and go. Later when he is working and has obligations it will be one thing after another. You won't get these years back with your kids. I took mine to Disney 5 times in his younger years. I don't regret it for a minute.

 

[Talby]

You can leave the money in the bank, or you can go live life and experience magic and make memories with the people you love most in life. The memories your family will make on this special vacation will be priceless. Sure, special family memories can be made for free and certainly don't require Disney to create. But there truly is something very magical about a Disney vacation and it's hard to really describe until you experience it for yourself. While it is indeed a large sum of money, I would bet nearly anything that you will NOT regret it. Personally, I think life is about experiences and connections with the people we love. When we can enjoy amazing experiences with our loved ones...well, it just doesn't get any better than that in my opinion. I took my kids for the first time as a single mom in 2013. I can't tell you how many times in the last nearly 3 years that something about that trip has come up. We're a silly bunch and we have a lot of what I guess I'd call inside jokes from that vacation. So things like that come up, or something will remind us of something that happened on our vacation, or the kids will want to look at the Disney photo albums. It truly was worth every single penny and I saved for a very long time to be able to go. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. I don't think it's unusual to have those moments of doubt when forking over a large amount of hard-earned money, but I can nearly 100% guarantee you'll be so glad that you did. Have a magical vacation and enjoy making those amazing memories with your family! I'm really excited for you...first trips are SOOOOO special!

 

[Nettlelondon]

Filling the memory bank is as important in life as filling the piggy bank (once the basics of a roof, food, clothing and whatever transport needs you have to be able to generate refilling the piggy bank and healthcare issues if you live in a country where you have to pay for that directly).

None of us knows what life has in store round the corner for any of us but I know that were something to happen to anyone close to me it would be easier to bear to remember events with them, look at photos of us and that kind of thing than look at bank statements for the same period and say to myself "well, we didn't have a holiday that year but I added £5k to my retirement fund". Not sure I would enjoy that half as much.

 

[2TxAgs]

There is no question that a Disney trip is a lot of money, and the alternative that is often thrown out is its Disney or money in the bank, and you'll have no fond memories of money in the bank. The reality is that it's Disney instead of lots of other options - maybe multiple weekend trips to the beach, or a play structure for your backyard, or a week visiting NYC or a down payment on a car. There are many ways to make memories that are not Disney, so you have to decide what to do with THIS particular amount of money. You've made all but the last payment and have presumably not missed that money and not removed it for other uses. You've dreamed of this trip - so take it, enjoy it and then start setting aside money on a regular basis for other trips/events/special moments. I agree that when it's set aside regularly, with a plan and a goal in mind, it will be easier to pay for the next wonderful goal that you plan for your family.

Have an awesome trip

 

[Talby]

There is no question that a Disney trip is a lot of money, and the alternative that is often thrown out is its Disney or money in the bank, and you'll have no fond memories of money in the bank. The reality is that it's Disney instead of lots of other options - maybe multiple weekend trips to the beach, or a play structure for your backyard, or a week visiting NYC or a down payment on a car. There are many ways to make memories that are not Disney, so you have to decide what to do with THIS particular amount of money. You've made all but the last payment and have presumably not missed that money and not removed it for other uses. You've dreamed of this trip - so take it, enjoy it and then start setting aside money on a regular basis for other trips/events/special moments. I agree that when it's set aside regularly, with a plan and a goal in mind, it will be easier to pay for the next wonderful goal that you plan for your family.

Have an awesome trip

Excellent and valid point. It really isn't an either/or thing when considering that particular sum of money; i.e., EITHER Disney OR leave in the bank. There are an infinite number of ways one could choose to spend that money. I will admit to times I have imagined what else I might have done with Disney trip money despite the incredible time we had there, though I definitely do not even remotely regret having gone. I guess, to put it in a nutshell, I think money spent on Disney is money well spent.

 

[verleniahall]

you can't get this time back - they won't be little forever. You need to make the memories now and enjoy life - you cant' take money with you when you die

 

[disneylovinmom3]

Thank you all so much for the kind words. I was worried about posting and being judged but everyone is so kind. I realized that we're already going during free dining and we've changed so many things such as eating out once a week instead of twice, taking our lunch. I bought gift cards for a savings. I've done the work so it's time for me to take a breath and just realize that if I keep stressing I'm going to take something away from my kids and it's time to enjoy myself and stop stressing.

 

[MariMama]

We have our first family trip scheduled for 11/26-12/4, I have been planing this trip seriously for six months and pre-planing for five or more years. We are making our final payment in a few weeks and for some reason I'm having second thoughts, I don't know what it is that makes me second guess it so badly. I grew up with nothing and we struggled for everything so I know I'm beyond cheap and I also know that financially we are in a place that we don't have to worry but for some reason the price just gives me pause, I don't quite get it. How do you stop being cheap and see this as not just a large sum of money but as something you can't get back? I think that not going on vacations as a kid is part of the problem as well because it wasn't part of my lifestyle.

I have the exact same misgivings before every single trip, no matter the destination. But then I think about a great memory from the last trip, put in the credit card number and say "what's done is done!". I have to frame it from the perspective of making memories and giving my kids experiences I didn't have, rather than spending money.