Maybe THIS board will help me!!!!

[Tinkerbelll]

FYI: I posted this on the "Theme Parks..." board, but later realized that this "Disney for Families" board would probably warrant more interest in my question (and more much needed opinions and responses!!!).... So here it is...(a little long )...

My family is going to WDW in August. Cast is Me(22), DBF(27), DM, DF, DS(19), and DB(14). I will be paying for myself in full. My parents, who are not wealthy by any means and will be struggling a bit to fund this vacation, will be paying for my brother (who is, in reality, just too young for a "real" job). They are facing a dilemma, however, when it comes to my sister. She will be almost 20 years old and have a full time job over the summer. She doesn't have any real bills to pay (no rent, food, etc.). So, all of the money that she makes during the summer will be pocket money for her to spend on what she chooses.

As a side note, by the end of the summer, the amount of money DS will make should be equal to about twice what it will cost for her share of the vacation. Now the hard question ... how much should she be expected to contribute to the trip?

Say it costs $1000.00 pp (which isn't that far off from the actual price )... should she be expected to pay half ($500.00)? 75% ($750.00)? Don't get me wrong, everyone WANTS her to go. But, my parents just cannot afford to pay for her as well as my brother. My sister always seems very excited and happy when talking about our summer trip, but when we have had family discussions about her contributing some of the money she makes over the summer to the trip, it doesn't seem to be very well received. She always ends up responding with "Oh I won't have the money so I guess I can't go." She will be making the money, but there are other things she wants to buy like "clothes and things for her dorm room" etc. It is almost as if she wants to go, but doesn't want to go badly enough to put any of her money into it. My parents are afraid that she is expecting them to feel guilty and pay for her whole trip, even though she will be making more money than it will cost for her entire trip before we leave... My parents are willing to help her out, just not willing (or able... or both?) to give her a free ride. They would love to pay for all six of us to go (DBF included! ), but at this point, it is just not possible for them.

Long story short, what would you do? Would you set a dollar amount for her to meet so that if she wants to go, she will save her money and reach that amount? If she decides that it is not worth it for her to save the money, how would you come to terms with going without her? Opinions please!!!

 

[tmt martins]

Well if I were you I'd talk to her and see what she thinks .I would suggest she picks up her own cost for certain things rather then a set price ( park tickets ,flights,)

The bad part is that it's not up to you and will only get you in a huff about your vacation.Your parents will only pay for what they want to pay and it is their money to do so.They should just tell her to start giving them money to put away for the trip .That might drop the hint if they just can't bring themselves to flat out tell her.

Good luck and enjoy YOUR vacation.

I'm lucky enough to treat my DM and DsF to a nice 2 bedroom SSR trip this year so I know it adds up real fast.

 

[Christy93]

Well...you might not like my answer. She's only 20 and in college without a fulltime job during the school year. If she has to use the money she earns during the summer for living off of during the school year, I don't think it's fair to ask her to pay.

 

[hollyb]

Well...you might not like my answer. She's only 20 and in college without a fulltime job during the school year. If she has to use the money she earns during the summer for living off of during the school year, I don't think it's fair to ask her to pay.

Well said.

 

[mamaminnie]

I'm going to be flamed for this but. . .If they can't afford to go, either scale back your travel plans (less expensive hotel, shorter trip) or just wait until they can afford it. I don't think it is fair to your sister to make her pay for herself.

JMO.

 

[melomouse]

Hi Tink -

Opinions? Guess you'll get 'em!!!

I see that you are only 3 years older than your sister, yet it sounds like, though you didn't say directly - that YOU are paying your own way, as well as DBF paying his. Seems like you and your sister are different. Though it would be NICE if she would kick in or pay 1/2,1/3,3/4, whatever...that will likely not happen and your parents will pay her share. It seems like it's up to them.

From your perspective, I would think she should pay, too.

But from your parent's perspective, and having been the mom of a stepson through those college years and wanting him to join us for family vacations with his younger siblings, I think I'd tell this 19 year old to have spending money for "extras" and foot the rest of the bill myself. Just the way it is with parents sometimes.

It may seem unfair. Let it go, don't think about this, and concentrate on you and DBF having an awesome time in the World!!!!!

 

[disneymom3]

I am going on these assumptions--sis lives at home full time and goes to school full time during the school year. You do not live at home. If that is not correct, please let us know.

If that is correct, I think she shouldn't be paying. I know my parents never expected us to pay for "our share" of vacations as long as we lived at home. One sis lived at home til she was 25, but didn't have to pay to go along on the family vacation. If this is something that is normally done in your family though, I guess I would go with either her plane ticket or her park tickets. Spending money obviously--even my four year old brings his own spending money(which we supplement)--but no meals or the like.

 

[sammielynn]

I think she should pay part of her trip. But I would get the details straight very soon. My DS's 16 and 14 are saving their own spending money. I will pay for food, lodging and travel but they do have some responsiblity. Sounds like the sister wants it all, her money to do with as she sees fit and Parents money to play on.
Who is paying for her college expences??? That is a chunk of money, if your parents are paying for college she should be grateful and pitch in something.

 

[lizardqueen]

Sorry, but your parents shouldn't be planning a family trip where they can offer to pay for your brother to go, but not your sister -- at least at the ages they are. That being said, she should definitely be held responsible for souvies and snacks. Even if she will make double what her portion of the trip costs, clothes and things for her dorm room will take a big chunk out of the money she earns.

 

[crisi]

A family trip is one where everyone either has their way paid, or has the option of opting out. If you parents "expect" her to go, they need to foot the bill. If they don't want to foot the bill, they can't say anything when she says "sorry, love to go with you guys, but I'm choosing to spend my money elsewhere." They should also be paying your way, if this is their idea. If its yours, YOU should be paying for everyone or letting people opt out.

(She can pay her own souvies and snacks).