Sooo Not doing the happy Dance.

[LilalovesDisney]

I want to book a vacation at Disney for my family. I have saved enough $ to pay for our trip. I work, and I have been saving for the last year. Dh Says that I need to take that $ and put it on our Credit card. Am I out of line for feeling upset? I understand that we have debt, but ..... Am I just being selfish? We have 2 boys. They would love to go to Disney! DH says that we are NOT going to Disney! He is one of those We need to pay off our debt first, before we even think of going on a Vacation. Just upset right now. Am I out of line?

 

[figmentfan0724]

im so sorry . I do not feel you are out of line, you have every right to be upset

 

[Disneydonnam]

I don't think you are out of line at all.

 

[sheila <3 WDW]

I understand you being upset, but I have a few questions...
Did you and DH discuss saving for WDW?
How much did you save?
How much do you have on the credit cards?
If you can pay off your cards I think I would pay them off and start saving for a trip all over again. If what you have saved won't even make a dent in the balance, I think I would still want to go to WDW.

 

[LilalovesDisney]

Saved 4000$
debt.... well let just say we have debt. $4000 would pay off half of our credit card. but we also have our line of credit, which we used to buy our car. So about $12000 More of debt there.
I know putting the money on the cards would be smarter. but I was hoping for a Funner way to use that $.

 

[skiingwife]

Sorry, but I agree with your husband. I'm a Dave Ramsey fan for getting out of debt. I would put the money on the credit card. For the next year or two or whatever it takes, get intense about paying off your debt, then take your vacation. Your vacation will be that much better knowing you are debt free! I know it seems daunting, but it really is possible.

 

[lamb616]

If we all waited until our debt was gone, some of us would NEVER get to go! Kids don't stay young for very long; however, the debt will stay with you for the rest of your life. Life is too short - make having a magical vacation as much of a priority as paying down the debt. If he cannot be convinced to use this money towards the trip, then I say tell him you'll compromise - put half of it towards the credit card debt right now and keep the other half for the trip and then continue to save for your trip/pay down the credit card. If you save at the same rate, that will just postpone your trip by a year. That's not so bad.

 

[michelleiada]

I say take the vacation. Taking the vacation will not put you further in debt because you saved. You will always have debt. You have two children that will only be young once. Family vacations are important too! If you were going every year then I would say put it off and pay down your debt but if you are not taking vacations all the time...you need to go this one time and then focus on the debt when you return. You work too, you should be allowed to make some of the decision! Book the vacation and tell your hubby you are taking the kids and if he would like to join you then great!! You saved this money specifically for a Disney trip....TAKE IT! YOU DESERVE IT! Good luck! I hope you get there.

 

[LilMommyBug]

If we all waited until our debt was gone, some of us would NEVER get to go! Kids don't stay young for very long; however, the debt will stay with you for the rest of your life. Life is too short - make having a magical vacation as much of a priority as paying down the debt.

This!!!!! I'm all about paying off debt - but geez....Im not going to sit in my house and never do anything just because I owe money.

 

[ckacherm]

Isn't part of that money yours as well? I think its unfair on how your DH demands for it all or nothing. I agree debt sucks but we all have debt. If you can budget WDW then go!!!

 

[princesscharming]

I completely understand willingness to sacrifice in order to make a Disney trip happen. However, Dh and I are not debt people. So I have to agree with the husband here.

Unless debt is acquired by unforeseen medical expenses, or the like, it's usually spending beyond one's means that causes it. So a Disney trip just breathes more life to one's debt. Perhaps it doesn't increase the debt, but it's at least sustaining it. And if you always have the attitude that what you're spending isn't adding to your debt, then with what money do you actually start to pay off the debt? (You could in theory just keep pocketing your extra cash and say, "It's not adding to my debt.")

Also, I understand family vacations are special. But it kind of feels like people are saying family vacations are some kind of right that trumps being fiscally responsible. When is it fair to buy things you don't have money for? As some posters have said, you'll always have debt. That's only if you never pay your debt back. It's like saying, "Someday I'll run out of time," as an excuse to steal.

OP, I understand you posted on here, looking for sympathy. You wanted to take a Disney vacation, and Disney lovers are likely going to tell you to go on a vacation because they understand how special Disney is. I wonder how many of Disers would tell you it's wise to spend the money you saved on a rare dog over paying off your debt? But if you went to the AKC forum, they'd probably be more sympathetic to that. You might feel better getting comfort from people telling you paying off debt is the right thing. I wish you well, and a fabulous Disney trip someday. Perhaps you could take a vacation that is much less expensive than Disney, just for now.

 

[kamik86]

I can see both sides of this. I have student loan debt I should paying off while its defered (due to me being in grad school not due to any financial reason)... instead I went an bought DVC... granted DVC will be completed paid for and I'll start putting more to my student loans again before the deferrment ends.

Then again I hate credit card debt and refuse to have any. I am pretty sure the only times I have paid interest on a credit card in my life were the few times I used a different card and forgot about it (and those could be counted on one hand). So I also see your husbands reasoning and would want to get the credit card paid off too.

I think its ok to go to Disney with long term lower interest debt like student loans and mortgages, but I wouldnt be able to do it with credit cards.

 

[JLVermillion]

I agree with your husband , pay off the debt. disney is not going anywhere and if you can save for this trip you can save for another. If you go on this vacation you will only increase the debt you already have and the trip will not be as enjoyable as it could be. Think about this if you force a trip and you take the trip is your DH going to be fun to tour with? Can you say NO to all the OMG I must have this items or little Bobby really wants this toy?

I would put the money towards my debt , control my spending at home ,maybe get a little extra time at work or side job put that money in a saving account that gains interest for vacation as a reward for being responsible and being debt free aside from house / car payment . You will have a much better time and have taught your children a valuable lesson that you can not have everything you want now.

 

[KimbaLovesDisney]

One thing in life you will always have is bills. If you are paying on your credit cards, in addition to what you have been saving for this trip, then take the trip. Also even with a DH and kids, it doesnt have to cost you as much as 4k to experience Disney.

Maybe my life experience is to blame for this, but my Dad spent my childhood saying when he retired we would RV see this or that, and then Cancer took him and our future trips. Also having almost died twice myself, I just feel every day is worth living to the fullest. Yes I would say get the puppy that would bring you joy if your able to take care of it, or go to Disney and experience it with your kids while they are young enough to truly believe the magic! Soon enough they will be grown and guess what, you will still have bills to pay. Im not saying to go if you can't pay your rent or feed the kids. But if you have scrimped and saved for a special occasion, enjoy life! Maybe a compromise is in order, a less expensive trip to Disney OR a second job when you come back?? I hope you and your husband can find a middle ground!

 

[snykymom]

Consumer debt is the worst thing you can have. How long will it take to pay off the loan if you take the trip? And how much will that debt cost you?

Kids don't need a trip to Disney. Take a few day trips from home and have fun - every place has something for you to do with your kids, and all your kids really need is your time.

Yes, you might see that I have a few trips planned. I have no consumer debt, we pay cash for our cars, and just finished paying for my kid's college. If I couldn't afford these trips with cash - no interest charges - I wouldn't take them. I spent many years not taking vacations, not buying things, so that my daughter could go to the college she wanted to attend, and saving for the future. My future is here, and secure.

Have we learned nothing from the economic meltdown? How do you ever figure to get out of debt if you keep spending money on wants, not needs?

 

[anne0866]

I can undserstand you being upset but I have also been there too with needing to pay down debt. Can you meet somewhere in the middle maybe? Maybe book a trip for a year or so out from now with idea of saving another $1000 before then? Maybe book a shorter trip? And put half of the total saved towards the debt and other half for the shorter trip?

Back in 2009 I had to cancel a trip that we had planned due to financial stress - I understand how disappointing it can be especially when you have been trying so hard to save the money for it. Thankfully we hadn't purchased the airfare at the time and were able to get the $200 deposit back.

Good luck

 

[JLVermillion]

Consumer debt is the worst thing you can have. How long will it take to pay off the loan if you take the trip? And how much will that debt cost you?

Kids don't need a trip to Disney. Take a few day trips from home and have fun - every place has something for you to do with your kids, and all your kids really need is your time.

Yes, you might see that I have a few trips planned. I have no consumer debt, we pay cash for our cars, and just finished paying for my kid's college. If I couldn't afford these trips with cash - no interest charges - I wouldn't take them. I spent many years not taking vacations, not buying things, so that my daughter could go to the college she wanted to attend, and saving for the future. My future is here, and secure.

Have we learned nothing from the economic meltdown? How do you ever figure to get out of debt if you keep spending money on wants, not needs?

Very well said. We have done the same thing if we can not pay for it we do not have it. We want our grown DKs and our DGKs to learn and apply the same .

 

[manning]

The vast majority of people hurting badly are those who lost jobs and had debt to begin with. Credit is not your friend!!

 

[disneylove69]

It is all about the quality of time with the children. They will remember the time they had with you wherever you go or stay. Being debt free will be less stressful. Since your husband wants to use the money to pay off debt might he might be feeling stress. If you take the money and put it towards the CC bill you will have less interest to pay at the end. If you haven't sit down with your husband and come up with a written budget. Maybe you could have a little vacation fund going in a savings account so at least you will feel its going to happen. How about collecting cans or babysitting for a little extra money. I love Disney too but being debt free in this economy is much better. It would be nice to know the family would remain stable if anything should ever happen and the money flow stops. I also follow Dave and nothing felt better then having a paid for vacation and going home to no bills.

 

[lamb616]

Maybe my life experience is to blame for this, but my Dad spent my childhood saying when he retired we would RV see this or that, and then Cancer took him and our future trips. Also having almost died twice myself, I just feel every day is worth living to the fullest. Yes I would say get the puppy that would bring you joy if your able to take care of it, or go to Disney and experience it with your kids while they are young enough to truly believe the magic! Soon enough they will be grown and guess what, you will still have bills to pay. Im not saying to go if you can't pay your rent or feed the kids. But if you have scrimped and saved for a special occasion, enjoy life! Maybe a compromise is in order, a less expensive trip to Disney OR a second job :

I agree 100%. If we're talking about an annual Disney trip, that's one thing, but this sounds more like a "once in a lifetime" trip (or a once in a decade trip ). If you end up on your deathbed a year from now -- which would you be more thankful for -- the fact that you paid down your debt or the memories you made on your magical vacation?

For those who are saying she needs to pay off her debt before considernig the trip -- she has $20k in debt. If she continues to save $4k a year, that's another 4 years before it's paid off (or more with the interest), and then say another year to save for the trip again. That's 5+ years away! I wouldn't want to wait that long, depending on the kids' ages. (I have no idea how old the kids are. Maybe they're only babies, in which case 5 years isn't that big of a deal.)

I still say compromise and postpone just a year. It's half your money, you should have a say in where it goes.