Talk some sense into me... please.

[Aimeedyan]

My mom lives in Orlando now. I miss her terribly. DH has vacation time he HAS to take before Oct 15th. I can go pretty much anytime, since I work PT and go to school. (I already secretly wanted to go in Dec because she's singing in the Candelight Processional thingy, but he can't get off then and said I can't go without him - so maybe next year)

Financially, the medical treatments I'm getting are killing us, but we're making ends meet with loan money. We have plenty to live comfortably, and don't live off much of a budget (though we should, since alot of it IS loan money).

I would LOVE to fly out for a WDW trip in Oct, to see the Food and Wine Festival and see her. I love Florida in Oct. DH would love to go too. Realistically, we just have to come up with airline for us both. We can stay with mom, get into parks for free with her, get a discount on meals (she's a CM), and we have leftover days at Universal from our May trip. And believe it or not, there is plenty to do in Orlando that doesn't take money! Since we're staying with her, we have just as much access to a kitchen as at home, and so our food costs would not be much higher (and we can cut down on eating out for a month or two and save it up for days that we are in the parks).

It's just the airfare, really...

My question is... would you go? I am having a hard time finding a good rate, I figure we'll end up paying about $500 for us both roundtrip. That's alot. I never book airfare, so I'm not so good at looking...

Thinking maturely, we shouldn't... but I keep thinking that we'd just spend that $500 on something else anyways. How completely irresponsible is it to jet to Orlando to visit family like that?

What if you had to charge it and pay it off slowly?

DH was thinking of just spending that week camping, but by the time we buy tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear, food, campsite rental, gas, etc. we could just go for the gold and jet to Orlando! Like how my mind works?

Honest thoughts. But NO FLAMES!

 

[Cebhfhionn]

I say "Go for it!" I'm not the most responsible of individuals but family is important!

You're right, by the time you pay for gas & all that other stuff to go camping, you could've spent the money to come down here to see your Mom.

See if there are any smaller airports near you that www.flyseal.com use to fly into Sanford. There are many cheap airfares out there, does JetBlue or Song fly out of your airport?

Just do it! You only live once!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I'm surprised that the airfare would be so expensive. I know that I can get RT from the Wash DC area for under $150 per person. I've seen it quite a bit less than that--more like $116RT including fees. Shop around more for the airfare and then maybe it would be easier for you to justify!

T&B

 

[WDWorBUST]

Go for it. And if you don't have to arrive at a certain time of day Priceline is great.

 

[oogieboogie]

I say totally go for it! Family is important!

As for the airfare, how bout doing a garage sale, or selling some stuff on ebay? Then use the money you get from that and add a little bit more to get your airfare dollars.

Look around the house and see what you could sell. You'd be suprised at what people are willing to buy!

 

[Beth76]

I think visiting family is a good reason to go. And you can easily save $500 by just asking yourself "do I really need this?" everytime you go shopping. Besides, you never know when you can get a good rate. When I'm looking for airfare, I check the rates everyday. Have you thought of using priceline?

 

[jkovick]

I am going to try to be the voice of reason here. I know it may be very tempting to go to Orlando, but spending borrowed money on a trip that is out of your budget will hurt you in the long run. I mean between school and medical expenses, etc you may need that money for an emergency rather than a vacation. I know its hard, and if you had money saved up somewhere, I might be saying differently, but a trip on borrowed money when there are other expenses is not a financially sound idea.
Can Mom come visit you? That way you would get to see her and it wouldn't cost you at all.

 

[binny]

I pm'ed you

 

[aimee11621]

Go!!! Go!! see mom and don't regret it . You have plenty of time to find a cheap airfare!!! Soooo looook haaaarder. I'm sure someone on the dis can help in finding a cheap air fare. Tips ideas anyone?

By the way you mentioned medical problems/treatment??

If it doesn't interrupt your other problems go!

Hay voice of reason please don't be upset . I burried my father in law last week. (62year old man full of life) My mother in law says and I quote "live as much as you can and enjoy your family every minute that you can". IF she will be spending only the airfare. And mom can get her freebies. Please life is tooo precious if her health permits go.

 

[Rajah]

I'd go, no question. For a chance like this, family is way, way too important to me to worry about $500.

 

[leahannpen]

Seriously, I've got to agree with this statement:

Originally posted by jkovick
I am going to try to be the voice of reason here. I know it may be very tempting to go to Orlando, but spending borrowed money on a trip that is out of your budget will hurt you in the long run. I mean between school and medical expenses, etc you may need that money for an emergency rather than a vacation. I know its hard, and if you had money saved up somewhere, I might be saying differently, but a trip on borrowed money when there are other expenses is not a financially sound idea.
Can Mom come visit you? That way you would get to see her and it wouldn't cost you at all.

It's hard now, but in the long run, it'll be worth it. Wait until you can do it without this situation. Or drive. It'll take longer, but be cheaper if you can't get a better air fare. Though I'd think the air would come down. There are some good fares now. What about Southwest Airlines or something like that?

 

[Microcell]

If Southwest Airlines is an option ( one of the cheaper ones anyway) if you book there and there is a sale after you buy, they may be able to refund you the difference.

Also challange the budget board people to find the cheapest rate to and from a major city near you and you may be surprised. I looked at Southwest and it was around $500.00 and I am supposed to be doing Girl Scout stuff right now or I would look more!

 

[Az Pirates]

IF you were looking at a regular trip where you had a lot of other expenses like hotel, park passes, lots of meals out etc. I'd vote with "the voice of reason" folks.

But, since your only real expense (above what you would have if you stayed home) is the airfare - I say keep searching for some better prices - like someone else mentioned maybe priceline would be an option there.

You say you're not really on much of a budget right now. Start one. I bet you'll be surprised at how much you can save by Oct. if you really keep track of where the money goes.
We are saving a LOT for a cruise we want to take just by cutting way down on eating out and fast foods.

Get creative - save up that airfare...
Then get away and spend some time with your mom!

 

[orvilleair]

I wouldn't do anything until you can get cheaper airfare. With that in hand, it would be easier to convince your husband to go to WDW. Family is so important, but I'm sure your mother understands your financial situation. She wouldn't want you to put financial strain on your household. Good luck.

 

[Kallison]

I say go. When DH and I were first married, money was tight and I took a month long cross country trip with my parents, he flew out to CA for two weeks. A few months later my friend was working in Orlando and I BEGGED him to go to Disney. We couldn't afford it at all, but we went. I can't remember the money we spent, but I can remember the fabulous time we had with our college friends in Disney World before kids. Can that be your Christmas/Birthday gift to each other. It sounds like you can do this trip very economical, so I say go for it. Life is short, who knows what tomorrow will bring.

 

[DisMN]

You COULD consider it an early Christmas gift to yourselves. (I see one or two others have mentioned it as well and I think it's a way to help overcome the guilt of spending that much.)
I do think you might be able to find cheaper airfare too if you're patient.

Good luck on your decision!