I have a dilemma...

[LuvSnowWhite]

Okay,

I don't know if this is a common problem or not but here is my dilemma.
First of all I have to say, single no kids.(that may make a difference)

This year my friend and I decided to go to WDW. I actually suggested that I wanted to go by myself and then she said she would go with me and that would make the hotel less expensive. We stay on site. Then I started feeling guilty because that money should really go towards paying off my (med-large) debt. Also her and her husband are going in March also. (She's so lucky).

I really want to go but at the same time I don't feel like I deserve to go if I have outstanding debt. I'm not talking about mortgage or car even. Just bad debt.
I did up a budget and it looks like I can still afford to go and still keep my repayment plan on track.

Do you guys have any opinions? To help me with my decision of whether or not to go this year? It would be in October.

 

[kymom99]

I am of the opinion that if you have a payment plan in place and are working on it, it is okay to go on vacation. However, only you know if you will allow yourself to enjoy the trip under these circumstances. Last year we took a nice vacation and I worried the whole time because our son was starting high school and I wasn't sure if the costs would be a lot more for athletic fees, etc. It ended up that I was really pinched by the time summer came to and end and I started getting paid again. (I am a teacher.) So listen to your gut. Maybe the friend will still go at a later date. But don't deny yourself too long.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Okay,

I don't know if this is a common problem or not but here is my dilemma.
First of all I have to say, single no kids.(that may make a difference)

This year my friend and I decided to go to WDW. I actually suggested that I wanted to go by myself and then she said she would go with me and that would make the hotel less expensive. We stay on site. Then I started feeling guilty because that money should really go towards paying off my (med-large) debt. Also her and her husband are going in March also. (She's so lucky).

I really want to go but at the same time I don't feel like I deserve to go if I have outstanding debt. I'm not talking about mortgage or car even. Just bad debt.
I did up a budget and it looks like I can still afford to go and still keep my repayment plan on track.

Do you guys have any opinions? To help me with my decision of whether or not to go this year? It would be in October.

I think bad debt should always come first. There is such a peace when you do not have debt. But, you also told her you would go with her. I think maybe you should feel her out and see if she would be upset if you back out. You may find that she wouldn't care. Maybe once you pay off your debt, you could then reschedule the trip.

 

[MomToOne]

I did up a budget and it looks like I can still afford to go and still keep my repayment plan on track.

Do you have an emergency fund? If not, does the budget you drew up also allow for you to start putting savings towards an emergency fund? Are you saving for retirement in any way?

I personally don't think you need to give up trips when you have some debt, if you are repaying that on schedule. However, I believe you DO need to put off a vacation if you don't have some of your other basic ducks in a row.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Keep paying the debt and go later. Debt free is the best feeling.

 

[KennesawNemo]

I would not go if I were you, but that's just me.

 

[Happyjen27]

Decisions like these are always based on a person's comfort level with certain aspects of finance.

It seems as if you aren't comfortable with your current debt load. It also seems as if you are thinking that going to Disney is not a great idea for you at this time.

If it were me, and I were feeling like my actions did not "feel right" in my gut, I would not go.

Is this complicated by the friend who wants to join you? Like, were you kind of dreaming and thinking, and she took it like a concrete plan? And now you feel trapped in this vacation that was not quite a concrete plan before she wanted to come along? If so, she'll understand. She can go any time she wants to go, it won't be as big a disappointment to her as you might think. Just be honest and tell her right now is not a good time for you to go, and you hope she understands.

 

[dmoore718]

Do what your gut tells you..just make sure that you won't be any worse off after you pay the trip off.

 

[JillianMarie]

If it were me, I wouldn't go because I wouldn't be able to enjoy it. I don't know what your specific 'bad debt' is. To me when you say that it means debt that's gone to collections and is damaging your credit score. I would never go on an extravagant vacation if that were my financial situation.

Your brain is arguing with your heart. Let your brain win this one, get some of your situation settled and then go when you can afford it.

 

[North of Mouse]

I would not go if I had outstanding debt - but that's JMO. It would make me feel guilty and irresponsible and I could not enjoy my trip.

 

[DisneyDiana]

I took bad debt to be credit card debt but not anything going into collections, especially since it sounds like she is paying it. I would still go if I was on track with paying back the debt and had savings. I would just make sure to keep it as inexpensive as possible like eating mostly CS instead of TS and staying at a value or DTD hotel.

 

[wiigirl]

Do what your gut tells you..just make sure that you won't be any worse off after you pay the trip off.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

What about staying offsite for cheaper than staying at a WDW resort. Might lessen the burden

 

[LuvSnowWhite]

I love DISboards! As always thoughtful answers. Thank-you so much everyone

My friend is already going with her husband this March.
I don't think she will be upset if I decide not to go.
The debt is Line of Credit outstanding. I do have an emergency fund in place and retirement funds that I am continually contributing to.
I am leaning toward not going this year. WDW isn't going anywhere. As was mentioned I am afraid that I will not even enjoy the holiday because I will be feeling guilty and worrying about the debt the whole time. Every time I buy a meal, snack; every time I buy a t-shirt, pin, etc.

I am thinking that if I don't go this year, then when I do get my debt paid off (in 5 years based on my new budget -ps same friend helps me with budget)
it will be a real reward.
It's not like I don't have lots of stuff to do around my apt. (Kidding-I have organizing to do I do all that other stuff every other day LOL)
I think I have made my decision. I waver because I don't want to disappoint my friend but she's already going in March! so it should not bother her too much. This trip would be in October.

 

[LuvSnowWhite]

LOL Now I'm wavering again there's some good deals on Expedia. OMG Must make a decision, must make a decision mu......

 

[danceintherain]

I love DISboards! As always thoughtful answers. Thank-you so much everyone

My friend is already going with her husband this March.
I don't think she will be upset if I decide not to go.
The debt is Line of Credit outstanding. I do have an emergency fund in place and retirement funds that I am continually contributing to.
I am leaning toward not going this year. WDW isn't going anywhere. As was mentioned I am afraid that I will not even enjoy the holiday because I will be feeling guilty and worrying about the debt the whole time. Every time I buy a meal, snack; every time I buy a t-shirt, pin, etc.

I am thinking that if I don't go this year, then when I do get my debt paid off (in 5 years based on my new budget -ps same friend helps me with budget)
it will be a real reward.
It's not like I don't have lots of stuff to do around my apt. (Kidding-I have organizing to do I do all that other stuff every other day LOL)
I think I have made my decision. I waver because I don't want to disappoint my friend but she's already going in March! so it should not bother her too much. This trip would be in October.

If she's the one who helped you set up your budget, then she's probably more understanding than you think she'd be. It's possible that she already thinks you shouldn't spend money on the trip, but doesn't want to tell you that. She may have been simply planning to go with you to "lessen the burden" of her own guilt as much as actually making it affordable for you.

Pay off the debt, and use Disney as a reward for yourself. Then, you may even be able to treat your friend to something for all the help she's given you with the budget!

 

[Handbag Lady]

I would go because you know you have debt, you have a plan, you have a savings, and you have a retirement. And if there is a killer sale on...

Stick to the plan and you're good.

Why not set a budget for this trip? You may not always be single and childless, you know? Enjoy yourself, too. You don't NEED to buy another Disney t-shirt or pin. Pack breakfast items to eat in your room. Pick ONE thing you can get this trip and leave it at that, then you'll have less stuff to organize in your home!

 

[4luv2cdisney]

How much faster will your debt be paid if you don't take the trip. You mentioned 5 years. Will it take more than 5 years if you go on vacation?

 

[gracie1]

I would go because you know you have debt, you have a plan, you have a savings, and you have a retirement. And if there is a killer sale on... Stick to the plan and you're good. Why not set a budget for this trip? You may not always be single and childless, you know? Enjoy yourself, too. You don't NEED to buy another Disney t-shirt or pin. Pack breakfast items to eat in your room. Pick ONE thing you can get this trip and leave it at that, then you'll have less stuff to organize in your home!

Very well said!! Op, if it's not going to affect your budget then go and enjoy yourself. Just don't spend on things you don't need. When we went to Disney for 12 days I didn't buy any souvenirs - just a mat for my dog bowls! Lol. And my mom bought a watch. We just enjoyed ourselves - didn't need to spend money on souvenirs.

 

[JillianMarie]

I'm not trying to sound harsh - but you have a credit balance that is going to take you five YEARS to pay off. To me that says that you have made some questionable financial decisions in your past and might have prioritized immediate gratification over careful planning. I would counsel maybe using this as an opportunity to practice some delayed gratification. Believe me - I completely get it, but like you said - it's not going anywhere.