Kind of worried my husband lost his job yesterday.

[ssatterly]

That is NEXT years trip not this years,...this years is much less

Well, I don't know their expense but every trip that we have ever taken to the world has been several thousand dollars and that would cover a lot of our expenses for the month. I do not know the first thing about the OP or her finances, but i was just saying that is what I would do in this situation.

This is what she quoted as the cost of her trip. I think that $3762.79 could pay a few expenses.

***from OP
Sept 20th thru sept 25 th POR standard view 3...

Sept 20th thru sept 25 th
POR standard view
3 Disney adults




That is not the trip in question. That's NEXT years. This years is much less
DDP
6 day hoppers
$3762.79

If we get free dinning it will be a lot less

 

[ssatterly]

Not so worried you then asked later in the day about wearing a life jacket in shark reef because you were watching videos of it. I guess the Disney planning is still full steam ahead.

Am I not allowed to still ask questions since as of right now it has not been cxled yet.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

OP, good luck to your husband on the job search. I would cancel the trip. No way could I enjoy a trip, or even the planning of a trip, if DH was unemployed.

 

[kirsangel]

Flame me if you want, but people on unemployment should NOT be taking a family trip to Disney World! Period. You already have a trip planned for next year, so skip this one.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

That is NEXT years trip not this years,...this years is much less

Yes, someone pointed that out. Still, any amount that you can avoid spending while your husband is unemployed would surely be helpful. What does your husband say about this? Does he work in a field where employment is easy to find? Just for the heck of it I asked my husband what we would do in that situation to see what he said and he flat out told me that Disney would be cancelled.

Now, I may hold out hope that he could find a new job and everything works out. I may even continue to plan just in case BUT when the last day came that I could cancel without a penalty, and if he still did not have a job with the same pay as before or better, I would cancel.

I really do wish you the very best of luck. I hope everything works out for you and your family. I'll keep you all in my prayers.

 

[Nancyg56]

If your husband finds another job pretty quickly, they may not allow him to take vacation time that soon. Reassess at the 45 day mark to be sure you can get your money back.
Hope things turn around quickly for your family and you get to enjoy your trip!

I agree. I know that there are some employers who can allow a new hire to take a vacation that has been planned, but I would not bank on it. I would decide at the 45 day mark.

I've never in my life had a job that would not allow me to take a pre-planned trip simply because it was close to my starting date
.

I know it happens, and I am glad that it happened for you, but it would be foolhardy to assume that this would be the case for the OP's DH. I think that this is a huge decision for the OP and her family, because if her Dh is offered a job, he has to decide what chance he wants to take, and where he paces the vacation vs the job on his priority list.

I just wanted to comment on this one. To me, an employer who isn't willing to negotiate when it comes to preexisting plans is an employer who is just looking for a warm body in the seat- and they don't care if that warm body is you, or the next Joe they interview.

It's the same reason that I would never work for an organization where I felt that my job would be in jeopardy if I took a maternity leave without FMLA protection. If you have to worry about a company giving your position the axe simply because you took time off after a major medical event to bond with your new child, it's not the type of company that values their employees' well-being.

There is a difference between an employer filling a position that is open, and expecting to be able to complete a training and acclimation process without a gap due to an early vacation, and an employer honoring maternity leave or FMLA> big difference.

 

[ConvenientTruth]

If it was me in the situation, I would cancel the trip without question. Disney is a lot of fun and some years is almost needed to recharge (so to speak), but it is a luxury and in a situation were one of the main contributor is no longer "contributing" it would be almost irresponsible to go.

Some have mentioned need to escape the "real world" for a bit, but if the husband still hasn't found a job the "real world" will still weigh on them mentally on the trip. The fact that you are posting that you are worried should be enough of a clue as to what the wise decision should be.

 

[ssatterly]

IN the spirit of helping the OP, can I repeat my question?

What field of work is her husband in? What education does he have? What's his work background? DOes he have any hobbies that could translate into a job?

If we could help him find a job, this thread would be moot.

He is retired Army 21 years of service. He is in customer service and also a tank mecanhic

 

[Srbright]

Wait, who is taking a trip to Disney that's worth a MONTH of expenses?

Me...us... we are.

Well, if you want to get technical it's about 3 months worth of expenses. But we don't have a car loan any more and have an extremely low rent payment. I live 4 miles from where I work so we have almost no transportation expenses.

That will change in two months because we just beat the hub off the axle today because the wheel bearing on our car went out (thank the gods I go back to being an accountant on Monday instead of a mechanic). The decision on whether or not to get a new car has been made. We are trying to hold off until after our trip.

Stacy

 

[Kristine316]

I just wanted to comment on this one. To me, an employer who isn't willing to negotiate when it comes to preexisting plans is an employer who is just looking for a warm body in the seat- and they don't care if that warm body is you, or the next Joe they interview.

It's the same reason that I would never work for an organization where I felt that my job would be in jeopardy if I took a maternity leave without FMLA protection. If you have to worry about a company giving your position the axe simply because you took time off after a major medical event to bond with your new child, it's not the type of company that values their employees' well-being.

Who said anything about a medical leave or maternity leave? I am talking about a vacation.. and yes, I don't have an issue with a company declining a request for a new employee to take a week off right after they start a new job.



With some of these responses you would think the economy is terrific and there are amazing jobs that pay 100k and give 1 month worth of vacation every year growing on trees. However.. considering the relatively high unemployment rate and the fact the average household income in this country is only 50k a year, clearly jobs like that do not grow on trees.
And when a company has their pick of employees to choose from to fill positions, I do not think it really says anything terrible about a company when it turns down a request for an employee to take a Disney vacation right after an employee starts.

If you have an issue with it you don't have to work for that company but, in the real world most people don't have the luxury to be super picky.

 

[emelie]

flame me if you want, but people on unemployment should not be taking a family trip to disney world! Period. You already have a trip planned for next year, so skip this one.

^^^my exact thoughts^^^

 

[Minniesgal]

Check with the job. Sorry but when i have an opening I need some one to come in and hit the job running. Bottom line rarely is a candidate so exceptional that we can't find another. So if you tell me you've got a vacation planned in a month, I'll thank you and tell you have a nice day. If someone wants to give up a good salary, pension, matching 401k and health benefits for a vacation, in this economy, have at it. Way too many people looking for good jobs for me tohold up my work.
I work for a big fortune 50 company

I would steer clear of any employer that behaved like this. Work is important but life comes first. People need downtime and a life outside of work.

To the op if you can drop your troubles and enjoy the break I'd say go for it . If you are the kids of people who would let your worried invade your trip then if cancel.

 

[Aliceacc]

The problem is that, without a job, "life" can get pretty expensive.

This is NOT the economy of 10 years ago. In the years since 2008, MANY people have lost their jobs. Unemployment has skyrocketed. The employees who have not been laid off have found themselves doing the jobs that 2 or 3 of their former coworkers used to handle.It's not a matter of insensitivity, it's a matter of staying afloat. Lots of employers simply can't afford to keep a position open for that extra week. They need the job done, and they need it done now. And there are lots and lots and lots of qualified applicants, most of whom don't have a Disney vacation planned and can start today if they can only land the job.

It's great to say "be choosier among the jobs. or "avoid an employer who would expect you to miss your vacation." But the reality is that bypassing that job may very well mean not working for weeks or months, or working a job at a salary far below the one offered.

I was a SAHM for 5 years by choice. During those years, we relied on my husband's teaching salary, along with my tutoring and extra money he earned doing photography on the side (he works with a studio, doing yearbook pictures for a couple of local schools.) During those years, our vacations consisted of a trip to my parents' house in the Poconos. All it cost us was a tank of gas. There was no way we would have considered a trip to WDW. Not on one salary. Not a chance.

There's a HUGE difference between "Wants" and "Needs." A trip to WDW is a "Want." A full time job is a "Need." Paying the mortgage, having food on the table, being able to put gas into the car-- these are "Needs." If it ever came down to a conflict between the two, there would be absolutely no hesitation on my part. The trip would be cancelled at the 45 day mark.

Oh, and we're not going to WDW this year. We're remodeling the kitchen and simply can't afford both. So we're doing a "Staycation" on Long Island. And we'll survive. Would we love to go to WDW?? Sure!! But is it a good idea, given our current financial status? Nope.

No one here knows the financial status of the OP. Perhaps they saw this coming, they're well prepared, and she's just nervous now that the shoe has dropped. Perhaps there's a job offer pending, one that will allow for the the vacation without any sort of penalty. So each of us is posting what we would do, based on our own personal circumstances.

The best of luck to you, OP.

 

[Magpie]

My husband and I were talking about this topic yesterday!

I was commenting that we're in a really good place now, able to afford multiple Disney vacations in a year, take our eldest to Europe, and pretty much do as we please. He pointed out that there were a few years when we were living paycheck-to-paycheck and couldn't afford fancy vacations. (Yes, that was his bar for "can't afford Disney" - not unemployment, but the inability to save ahead.)

I said I never minded. Sure, for years we did every free weekend event our city had to offer instead of taking a vacation anywhere, but we still had fun. Even when our car died and we didn't get a new one for a couple years, we STILL had fun. We just had inexpensive, local fun. I remember digging through the local events pages and taking us all off to do enjoy things like the local riding stables' "free, fun day for kids", or free museum days, which were awesome! Once a year, we drove up North to visit his mother.

Disney is nice, but it's not something you HAVE to have. It's not the only way to enjoy family togetherness or escape the worries of the working world. It's just an expensive luxury. If my husband lost his job, I would cancel all our upcoming trips, get the money back, and then both of us would start job hunting.

I'd hate to decide to go ahead with the vacation, then have a pet get sick, or a child need orthopedics, dental work or glasses, and simply not have the money to cover their needs.

 

[Hopefully]

The problem is that, without a job, "life" can get pretty expensive.

This is NOT the economy of 10 years ago. In the years since 2008, MANY people have lost their jobs. Unemployment has skyrocketed. The employees who have not been laid off have found themselves doing the jobs that 2 or 3 of their former coworkers used to handle.It's not a matter of insensitivity, it's a matter of staying afloat. Lots of employers simply can't afford to keep a position open for that extra week. They need the job done, and they need it done now. And there are lots and lots and lots of qualified applicants, most of whom don't have a Disney vacation planned and can start today if they can only land the job.

It's great to say "be choosier among the jobs. or "avoid an employer who would expect you to miss your vacation." But the reality is that bypassing that job may very well mean not working for weeks or months, or working a job at a salary far below the one offered.

I was a SAHM for 5 years by choice. During those years, we relied on my husband's teaching salary, along with my tutoring and extra money he earned doing photography on the side (he works with a studio, doing yearbook pictures for a couple of local schools.) During those years, our vacations consisted of a trip to my parents' house in the Poconos. There was no way we would have considered a trip to WDW. Not on one salary. Not a chance.

There's a HUGE difference between "Wants" and "Needs." A trip to WDW is a "Want." A full time job is a "Need." If it ever came down to a conflict between the two, there would be absolutely no hesitation on my part. The trip would be cancelled at the 45 day mark.

Oh, and we're not going to WDW this year. We're remodeling the kitchen and simply can't afford both. So we're doing a "Staycation" on Long Island. And we'll survive. Would we love to go to WDW?? Sure!! But is it a good idea, given our current financial status? Nope.

I agree completely!!!
A WDW vacation is not a right nor a necessity. Bypassing a job offer because of a vacation is foolhardy in this economic environment.

 

[Patience]

The problem is that, without a job, "life" can get pretty expensive.

This is NOT the economy of 10 years ago. In the years since 2008, MANY people have lost their jobs. Unemployment has skyrocketed. The employees who have not been laid off have found themselves doing the jobs that 2 or 3 of their former coworkers used to handle.It's not a matter of insensitivity, it's a matter of staying afloat. Lots of employers simply can't afford to keep a position open for that extra week. They need the job done, and they need it done now. And there are lots and lots and lots of qualified applicants, most of whom don't have a Disney vacation planned and can start today if they can only land the job.

It's great to say "be choosier among the jobs. or "avoid an employer who would expect you to miss your vacation." But the reality is that bypassing that job may very well mean not working for weeks or months, or working a job at a salary far below the one offered.

I agree completely. As I said, the last time I hired an assistant, I had over 100 applications for the position, the vast majority of them from very well qualified or even over qualified applicants. I would not hire someone who told me they wanted to take time off right away. Not because I'm a meanie who doesn't care about my assistant or who doesn't understand the need for family time but because if I'm looking for help, it means I need help right away. I have obligations to meet and may not be able to meet those obligations if a brand new employee who is still learning the ropes wants to go on vacation. Meeting my work responsibilities is necessary, not optional.

 

[BeerMe]

OP, I hope this works out for you.

 

[323sarg]

I am simply amazed at the poor management and insensitivity. I work for a international company and a newly hired employee who has plans already for a family vacation is the least of my concerns. The two rules of management is to accomplish your mission, second is taking care o your employees. I utilize this philosophy time and time again and consistently shatter goals set for my department. My employees would walk to hell and back to ensure the mission is taken care of because they know they are going to be taken care of. So for everyone who says they would not hire someone with a planned vacation, I don't know if I would want to work for a company that does not look out for my well being as well

I think we all need a break now and then, and just because someone lost their job and still wants to get away is not the end of the world or irresponsible. This is an extremely stressful time and just as demanding as going to work every day.

I say if you can do it and be financially ok, then do it. If not then don't.

 

[Magpie]

I am simply amazed at the poor management and insensitivity. I work for a international company and a newly hired employee who has plans already for a family vacation is the least of my concerns. The two rules of management is to accomplish your mission, second is taking care o your employees. I utilize this philosophy time and time again and consistently shatter goals set for my department. My employees would walk to hell and back to ensure the mission is taken care of because they know they are going to be taken care of. So for everyone who says they would not hire someone with a planned vacation, I don't know if I would want to work for a company that does not look out for my well being as well

I think we all need a break now and then, and just because someone lost their job and still wants to get away is not the end of the world or irresponsible. This is an extremely stressful time and just as demanding as going to work every day.

I say if you can do it and be financially ok, then do it. If not then don't.

It all comes down to attitude.

Sitting in your interview and saying, "Yes, I can start tomorrow! By the way, I'll be going to Disney next month. My dates are the 7th to the 14th. Hope that's not inconvenient, because I'm not changing my plans!" is probably not a good idea.

But starting your job, working your butt off, and then saying, "By the way, I've had this vacation planned for the last year, is there any way I can get some time off from the 7th to the 14th? If not, I totally understand," is different.

However, it's important to keep in mind that the OP's husband isn't an executive in a Fortune 500 company. He's retired military, a tank mechanic by trade, and he's in customer service. Depending what kind of job he gets, they may simply NOT be able to spare him. If I get hired at the local supermarket or auto-body shop, they're not going to let me run off on a Disney vacation a month into my new job. They hired me because they NEED me, present and doing my job. If I can't do my job, they'll let me go and hire someone else.

This isn't the OPs first or last trip to Disney. I think she should get the refund, bank the money, and just go next year.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

It all comes down to attitude.

Sitting in your interview and saying, "Yes, I can start tomorrow! By the way, I'll be going to Disney next month. My dates are the 7th to the 14th. Hope that's not inconvenient, because I'm not changing my plans!" is probably not a good idea.

But starting your job, working your butt off, and then saying, "By the way, I've had this vacation planned for the last year, is there any way I can get some time off from the 7th to the 14th? If not, I totally understand," is different.

The third, correct option is to accept the job, say that you have a pre-planned commitment to be out of town from the 7-14, and say that you will be back at work the 15th. No HR department is going to turn you down.