Lost job, how can we still go?

[Skatermom23]

Don't go, Don't go, Don't go. We had a tripped planned for Myrtle Beach a year ago and my husband got laid off in February, part of me wanted to keep the trip as we were driving, so not really any expense there, the hotel was free as we had points, but we easily would have still dropped $1000-$1500 on eating and everything else and we canceled it, it was a hard decision to make but for us a very responsible decision financially. I felt like it was the best move on our part. My husband was laid off for 8.5 months and financially we survived, but not knowing how long it could have lasted any money saved is serious money.
When you lose a job you start accounting for each and every penny, in this economy it's sometimes hard to find a job and harder even to find a job for the same salary you were making.

on the job loss, you will get though.

Agreed. The bottom line is that you have no money coming in. I don't think I could sleep at night if I had lost a job and still took a vacation. Every penny needs to be counted right now. Disney will always be there.

 

[Traveliz]

Don't go, Don't go, Don't go. We had a tripped planned for Myrtle Beach a year ago and my husband got laid off in February, part of me wanted to keep the trip as we were driving, so not really any expense there, the hotel was free as we had points, but we easily would have still dropped $1000-$1500 on eating and everything else and we canceled it, it was a hard decision to make but for us a very responsible decision financially. I felt like it was the best move on our part. My husband was laid off for 8.5 months and financially we survived, but not knowing how long it could have lasted any money saved is serious money.
When you lose a job you start accounting for each and every penny, in this economy it's sometimes hard to find a job and harder even to find a job for the same salary you were making.

on the job loss, you will get though.

I think the difference here is the OP has 1100 in Disney money that can be used for the entertainment and a portion of the food. Additionally they are staying in a condo versus a hotel like you were and so they have more opportunities to eat regular food (like they would be at home anyway.) Disney reward dollars can be used no where else - of course they might not expire for awhile but this can be a great time to get some bang for the Disney Reward dollar buck.

Liz

 

[DISNEY1975]

I read your subject line and was all ready to respond saying dont go until I read your post.

You have already purchased airline tickets and are staying in a friends condo.
Your husband worked with his company for 13 years and should be able to collect unemployment. Once he's back on his feet, it will be hard to take time off at a new job, so I would say go for it now while he has the time off. You have your Disney dollars. If you are thinking of souveneirs, maybe go online to www.disneyoutlet.com and pick up some Tshirts and sweatshirts for 5 - 10 rather than 20 - 60 at the parks. Right now they are having a promo with an extra 15% off too.

Second option, see if you an add non expiration to your airline tickets and hold off until hubby gets a job.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[sk!mom]

Tough situation- I'm very sorry.

If it was possible to get a credit for the airfare then I would cancel and rebook after he found a job.

If the airfare is sunk then I would probably go - frugally. I say that since you have 6 months living expenses saved and the ability to get fulltime work or a second part time job yourself.

If you go, Priceline or use a code for a small rental car. Use your regular grocery budget for food and eat meals in the condo. You can have breakfast in, head to the park for rope drop, then head back to the condo for a big lunch and rest. Go back to the parks in the evening and have a snack.

We almost always skip the souvineers so that wouldn't be a sacrifice for my family. I don't like a lot of stuff around.

I would also check the Unemployment regulations and would not claim during the vaction period if I wasn't allowed them.

 

[bellebookworm9]

I was all for saying "GO!" until I read that you don't yet have tickets. Even if you use your $1100 for the tickets, that only leaves you a few hundred extra, probably not enough for food, rental car, etc.

My mom was fired a few weeks ago and had no idea it was coming. We are still going, because EVERYTHING (resort, plane, tickets) was already paid for and we would lose $2000+ if we canceled now. My aunt couldn't believe we are still going, but we really need the vacation, and my mom has figured out that her finances will be okay for the next few months. Also, I'm paying for the majority of the trip.

I would just cut your losses on the plane tickets and focus on taking care of your every day needs for now. Disney will still be there.

 

[tinker&belle]

Another thing to keep in mind is have you already loaded your $1100 onto your reward card? If you have they expire after a certain amount of time (can't remember when exactly) in which case it makes $1100 you would lose if you don't use them by the expiration date.

Also someone already mentioned the Disney outlet, I believe you can use your rewards on that site.

 

[MEM]

IDisney reward dollars can be used no where else - of course they might not expire for awhile but this can be a great time to get some bang for the Disney Reward dollar buck.

Liz

They can be used to buy from the Disney Store, both
on-line and in person and with birthdays and holidays coming up, I might personally be tempted to save some of those reward dollars. No telling how long the unemployment might last and how tight the household budget might get. That's how my mind works.

 

[jcwishes]

I would go. My DH has been out of work for over a year, we did cancel a trip last June but it was without penalty and we were able to use airline tickets t to see family.

My main reason for not going was that I did not think I could enjoy myself with the job loss hanging over my head. Well it's still there. We are surviving and things are now looking up. So if you have enough money saved to fall back on and you can put the stress out of your mind enough just go.

 

[Kika]

I haven't read all the other responses, but for me it would probably depend on the following:

Do you work?
Can your income + the rent income you receive float your two mortgages and other living expenses until DH gets another job?

If not...

Do you have enough money liquid that can float your two mortgages and other living expenses for the next x amount of months (however long you anticipate that it will take your DH to find someting)?

I'm not asking you answer these questions here. I'm just saying these are the things that I would consider. If I didn't have any other income or a significant amount of money saved, I would postpone the trip; I don't think I could enjoy the trip worrying about how I was going to pay bills when I got back. Even though you have airfare, etc. paid for, you are still going to spend money. If you are in decent financial shape otherwise, then go, get away for a while, and enjoy!

Edited because I forgot to add: Best of luck to you, and I hope that your DH finds something soon!

 

[Shreggor]

Since you already have everything paid for, and are basically using Disney dollars that can't be used anywhere else, go. You could end up losing $$ if you don't because of airfare. Also, as someone else said, it's going to be hard to get time off at a new job.

 

[buckler]

I mentioned this before, but if you had a friend or family member going to Disney soon, they could use your rewards money towards their trip and pay you cash for your $1,100 in rewards money. So it might not be entirely true that the rewards money is "worthless" unless you go on the trip.