Paying bills versus going on vacation or other non-essentials

[#1hoosierfan]

I’m a part of a VERY large Disney group on Facebook. A lady posted that she can’t afford to go to WDW because she has cancer and has a lot of bills. She wanted tips on how to afford to go.

I was shocked at the number of people who said not to pay the bills or only $5 a month and go to Disney.

I commented that I’m a cancer survivor and I have a lot of bills, but those get paid first. Dang, I got raked over the coals for that remark.

I’m two years out from a stage 3 diagnosis. I’m healthy right now, but very aware that the cancer can come back at any time. I’m all about living my life to the fullest, but bills still come first.

Am I crazy? Thoughts?

Also, either the author of that post deleted it or it gotten taken down by the mods.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I’m a part of a VERY large Disney group on Facebook. A lady posted that she can’t afford to go to WDW because she has cancer and has a lot of bills. She wanted tips on how to afford to go.

I was shocked at the number of people who said not to pay the bills or only $5 a month and go to Disney.

I commented that I’m a cancer survivor and I have a lot of bills, but those get paid first. Dang, I got raked over the coals for that remark.

I’m two years out from a stage 3 diagnosis. I’m healthy right now, but very aware that the cancer can come back at any time. I’m all about living my life to the fullest, but bills still come first.

Am I crazy? Thoughts?

Also, either the author of that post deleted it or it gotten taken down by the mods.

You are not crazy. You do you. Let others do themselves.

 

[Travel60]

I think we've lost a sense of personal responsibility. People buy houses they can't afford and want the government too bail them out. People and companies run up debt through stupid decisions then file bankruptcy rather than face the consequences. Students rack up thousands of dollars of student debt to go to a name brand school then don't want to pay it back. Each generation teaches the next to not be responsible.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

I think we've lost a sense of personal responsibility. People buy houses they can't afford and want the government too bail them out. People and companies run up debt through stupid decisions then file bankruptcy rather than face the consequences. Students rack up thousands of dollars of student debt to go to a name brand school then don't want to pay it back. Each generation teaches the next to not be responsible.

When do we get on the spaceship and leave Walle to clean up our mess?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Because there are so many cancer types there's not really a way to say what one person would do.

Last year my aunt was diagnosed with Stage 3b lung cancer and for her she was advised a very low 5 year survival rate. She's now in remission but there could have been so many variables to her that made for different choices made.

My husband's coworker is dealing with his son having DIPG which is fatal. His son has done Make a Wish, there's been a lot of efforts to do things for him including biker parades, police parades and so much more. Right now they are in CA for 6 weeks for treatment hoping on hope that experimental trial/treatment can help. This poor kid is trying like heck to put on a happy face. But I have no idea what they are doing financially speaking nor can I muster up judgement and I've only met this couple once.

You're not crazy but neither is necessarily the other people. I'm all about personal responsibility and would normally say of course don't put yourself in debt but what would I do if I had cancer? That's a question I can't answer and one I hope I never have to actually ponder with seriousness.

Happy that you healthy

 

[Smugpugmug]

Personally, I wouldn't even be able to enjoy going on an expensive vacation like Disney knowing that I wouldn't be able to pay my bills. The anxiety would actually kill me.

 

[tvguy]

I couldn't sleep at night if I put Disney before bills.

 

[Robbie Cottam]

Personally, I wouldn't even be able to enjoy going on an expensive vacation like Disney knowing that I wouldn't be able to pay my bills. The anxiety would actually kill me.

That why Xanax was invented…
They say it as effective….

 

[Minnie1222]

Am I crazy? Thoughts?

No, you're the sane one. The other people are nuts.

I always live below my means and I truly hate the word "splurge".

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Because there are so many cancer types there's not really a way to say what one person would do.

Last year my aunt was diagnosed with Stage 3b lung cancer and for her she was advised a very low 5 year survival rate. She's now in remission but there could have been so many variables to her that made for different choices made.

My husband's coworker is dealing with his son having DIPG which is fatal. His son has done Make a Wish, there's been a lot of efforts to do things for him including biker parades, police parades and so much more. Right now they are in CA for 6 weeks for treatment hoping on hope that experimental trial/treatment can help. This poor kid is trying like heck to put on a happy face. But I have no idea what they are doing financially speaking nor can I muster up judgement and I've only met this couple once.

You're not crazy but neither is necessarily the other people. I'm all about personal responsibility and would normally say of course don't put yourself in debt but what would I do if I had cancer? That's a question I can't answer and one I hope I never have to actually ponder with seriousness.

Happy that you healthy

You bring up good points. Maybe she was given little time to live.

I’m not here to judge. I’m honestly curious what others think or would do. I’m sure some people would not agree that we go on vacation while I have my medical bills on a payment plan. I respect that opinion too.

 

[luvthatduke]

You're not crazy, you have integrity.

 

[DCLMP]

If the cancer was terminal and I only had a few months or years to live I’m not sure what I would do. I certainly don’t begrudge anyone in that situation for wanting to enjoy their last days on earth. I‘ve had quite a few family members, co-workers and friends die from cancer. I have a hard time being judgmental when it comes to that stuff.

 

[DCLMP]

I think we've lost a sense of personal responsibility. People buy houses they can't afford and want the government too bail them out. People and companies run up debt through stupid decisions then file bankruptcy rather than face the consequences. Students rack up thousands of dollars of student debt to go to a name brand school then don't want to pay it back. Each generation teaches the next to not be responsible.

Cancer and medical bills aren’t caused from a lack of responsibility. How do you equate that to buying a house you cant afford or racking up a student debt?

 

[Meriweather]

Bills come first for me. I hate owing money and would never to able to enjoy a vacation if I had some to pay.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

If I have terminal cancer and I know my time is coming soon screw the bills but not because I would want to go to Disney. I would be more invested in spending time with my family rather than us working 50 million hours a week to cover these bills. There’s more important things to worry about. The bills will be there after I die. They can be paid with my life insurance.

If it were a cancer that I have a great chance of beating no I wouldn’t go on vacation and not pay my bills. I would have a great vacation once I hit remission. But that’s ME.

Others can do what they feel comfortable doing. It’s not my bills or my money or my life.

I also will not live broke over medical bills. I would set up a sustainable monthly payment and do that. I work in healthcare and many people pay monthly on their medical bills. $50 a month. $100 a month. As long as you are making payments it doesn’t affect your credit.

I’ve worked with many patients (and families) with glioblastoma. Often with a 1-3 year life expectancy. Most young with children. Everyone took their last years alive very differently. Not my place to judge.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Students rack up thousands of dollars of student debt to go to a name brand school then don't want to pay it back.

Please be careful with this comment as it shows clear ignorance to the modern college student. Most kids don't go to a name brand school. They go to their local state university, which although public, may still be expensive. And they may still rack up a lot of student debt in the process going to this "non-name brand" college.

Bills always come before vacation.

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

I think about this type of thing a lot being a cancer survivor and having had several loved ones die from cancer. For me, I would want to live my last days within my family's means. My brother is going through the ramifications of spending beyond their means when my late SIL was going through cancer treatments. She used retail therapy and vacations as a means of coping with her diagnosis. After her death, he couldn't keep up with the bills as he began to go through his own health struggles. My mother(who lived with them) was paying their mortgage, second mortgage, utilities, groceries and all of the household fixes. She used her monthly fixed income and then blew through all of her savings to do so. My brother had to sell his house to pay off his debts and now he and my mother live in a small 2 bedroom apartment.

My point being, I wouldn't want to saddle my family with debt after I am gone. They will already be dealing with the emotional burden and I wouldn't want to add a financial burden. Again, just my opinion.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

Responsible adults pay their bills first.

 

[Disneylover99]

I could never throw caution to the wind and go to Disney with unpaid bills. Never.

My family jokes, the last words on my deathbed would be, “Pay….my…Visa…..”
lol.

 

[SteveH]

Sadly personal responsibility isn't popular, it's the right way to live but our society has embraced the complete lack of personal responsibility. Kudos to you for being responsible and for being a cancer survivor as well.