Just another help me decide thread...

[BigAlsGal]

Hi everyone! I'm struggling here. The dreaded what should I do thread. It's lame. Really lame.

I desperately want to go to Disney in November with my family. The problem is I've already been multiple times this year. Financially we are fine. Vehicles recently paid off, no debt except house, and income is steady and good. Have investments, retirement funds, and all that good stuff started. Lord what SHOULD I be doing with my money!!

Disney seems to be all I want anymore. I don't want clothes or jewelry. Just disney world. There are 2 problems.

#1 is the whole "We should be doing other things with the money" internal struggle.

#2 is my obsession with disney.

Part of me wants to shut it all down and just basically get over it. I mean it's just a theme park right?

The other part of me just wants to keep going no matter how ludicrous it seems to be.

Everyone thinks I've lost it.

I guess I just want some kind words. Advice.

 

[SnowWhite2000]

This resonates! I started planning our first family vacation for November, and now I have three separate trips in the works over the next 12 months. Lame, crazy, or just awesome?!? Truly, to be able to be in this situation means we are truly fortunate, but how much is too much? I'm a bit obsessed with this planning and I don't seem to want to stop! I wish I had some good advice for you, but the only thing that comes to mind relates to giving. Are you able to give generously? Do you hold what you have loosely? Just something to think about. If the answers are yes, perhaps Disney is a wonderful gift to you and your family. If not, perhaps focusing on meeting others' needs might be wise in the short term. I have no idea, since I don't know you at all, but you ask good and tough questions. I feel I may be in a similar boat. My very best to you as you figure things out!

 

[BigAlsGal]

This resonates! I started planning our first family vacation for November, and now I have three separate trips in the works over the next 12 months. Lame, crazy, or just awesome?!? Truly, to be able to be in this situation means we are truly fortunate, but how much is too much? I'm a bit obsessed with this planning and I don't seem to want to stop! I wish I had some good advice for you, but the only thing that comes to mind relates to giving. Are you able to give generously? Do you hold what you have loosely? Just something to think about. If the answers are yes, perhaps Disney is a wonderful gift to you and your family. If not, perhaps focusing on meeting others' needs might be wise in the short term. I have no idea, since I don't know you at all, but you ask good and tough questions. I feel I may be in a similar boat. My very best to you as you figure things out!

Thank you. Definitely food for thought. I'm glad to hear Im not alone.

 

[Jess_S]

If you have no debt, and have investments and retirement savings, I see no reason why you should feel guilty for spending your discretionary income however you want. I say enjoy your trips and stop feeling guilty. (There are also studies that show that spending money on doing things instead of on stuff is proven to bring more happiness).

 

[BigAlsGal]

If you have no debt, and have investments and retirement savings, I see no reason why you should feel guilty for spending your discretionary income however you want. I say enjoy your trips and stop feeling guilty. (There are also studies that show that spending money on doing things instead of on stuff is proven to bring more happiness).

Thank you. I've never been a stuff person myself.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

Hmmm...well in four days I'm about to embark on trip 2 of 4 this year. Trips 2 and 3 are separated by less than two weeks! Talk about crazy and obsessed! I think your obsession is fine, but maybe you could branch out and try a different kind of vacation...last year we went on a guided kayaking camping trip in the Grand Tetons by Oars. It was by far our favorite family vacation ever. So maybe there's something else out there you have yet to fall in love with. Now excuse me while I go continue to load up on my disboards before we leave on Friday!

 

[elsbit]

It doesn't sound like this is causing a negative financial impact. Maybe a way to alleviate your guilt is set aside a specific amount for Disney each year. Your planning would control how many trips you get to do and on what level. That way you don't feel guilty for going multiple times if that is what you worked within your budget. How does our significant other/family feel about this? If everyone is gung ho why not pursuit your happiness as you see fit? Invest in what makes you happy~

 

[SerJohnF]

it's all just what you and your family want to do with that $$.

for me, if i had that sort of spending power, I'd look to lower the number of times i go and increase the quality of places i stay at/things i do while there. Unless you're already staying at the top end places...

 

[Lisaloo]

I guess I would ask who the "everyone" is who thinks you've lost it. Outside of DH (my parents are deceased) I really don't give a rip what anyone thinks about how we spend our money or our time. Sounds like you are doing the right things financially....enjoy yourself!

 

[SerJohnF]

this november will be our third trip in 3 years and my wife worries that it looks extravagant, but i tihink since we are able to, its great fun for us. we tried planning alternate vacations, but they end up costing just as much, and for now at least, we love going to DW.

 

[mandis77]

People spend money on the things they enjoy, whatever it is. If you can afford it, then do it!

 

[BigAlsGal]

Thank you everyone for the kind words. DH is very supportive of my love for disney. He always enjoyed disney too and even though he won't admit it I think he's caught some of the bug as well. (He got his first annual pass )

I guess I just needed to hear that it's ok. I realize going to disney so often is...well....nutty. It's nice to know there's other nuts out there.