thanks

[castlemom3]

 

[crashbb]

If I had $40,000 of debt that I just found out about, there is no way that I'd be taking a vacation, I'd be using any money I had in paying down my debt.

 

[castlemom3]

Sad to say....I agree. Would you still feel that way if your marriage needed a vacation?

 

[Nie0214]

You could always shorten / downgrade the vacation too. Cancel the cruise part maybe?

 

[goofypooh]

The vacation will only be a temporary fix for your marriage. When you get home, the debt will still be there....probably more so after a trip to WDW. Sorry....I know how exciting a trip to WDW sounds & how disappointing this must be.

 

[Sweedee]

Is there a way to save and pay off your debt? The reason I ask you this is because we have btdt! In 1998, dh had gall bladder surgery, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer...and from there our bills mounted up with my own gall bladder surgery, 2 pregnancy losses (one at 15 wks, the other at 20 wks), a hospital stay following a post partum blood clot, our son was diagnosed with autism, and our daughter was having some issue with her heart. After the last pregnancy loss 2 years ago, dh and I just bit the bullet. We needed a vacation, and we were so far in debt, it wasn't even funny. If we waited until we were out of debt, we would never have a vacation. So, we took that trip to Disney, and it was the best thing we ever did! We lost that baby 2 wks before our trip. Our doctors, to the man, told us to get out of town, and take that trip! We did! When we came back, we continued to pay down our debt and save for our next trip. We have finally gotten everyone paid off, and we have had three trips to Disney in the past 2 years.

I would really encourage you to rethink how you might take this trip in a way that might be more responsible (such as a fewer days, less amenities, etc), but don't necessarily cancel it right now. It's not irresponsible to take a vacation if you are in debt, but since you know what you are up against, it would be irresponsible to still plan in the same way. HTH

 

[EthansMom]

Is any of the money refundable? If so, I would seriously consider at least reducing the trip... maybe doing just WDW or just the cruise. It might cost you a fee to change the airline tix, but that is the only money I can think that you might lose. Have you purchased all of the clothes necessary for the cruise (any formalwear, shorts and tees, etc..)? If not, that would be an additional expense that might offset your ticket fees.

If you cancel the cruise portion of your trip, you could still go to WDW. Where were you planning on staying at WDW? If you had a Deluxe booked, you could save $$$ by switching to POR.

I'm going to estimate that you could save $6000 by canceling the cruise and maybe cut another $500-$1000 off your plans for WDW. Wouldn't that make quite a difference to your debt?

Good Luck!

 

[Sweedee]

Is any of the money refundable? If so, I would seriously consider at least reducing the trip... maybe doing just WDW or just the cruise. It might cost you a fee to change the airline tix, but that is the only money I can think that you might lose. Have you purchased all of the clothes necessary for the cruise (any formalwear, shorts and tees, etc..)? If not, that would be an additional expense that might offset your ticket fees.

If you cancel the cruise portion of your trip, you could still go to WDW. Where were you planning on staying at WDW? If you had a Deluxe booked, you could save $$$ by switching to POR.

I'm going to estimate that you could save $6000 by canceling the cruise and maybe cut another $500-$1000 off your plans for WDW. Wouldn't that make quite a difference to your debt?

Good Luck!

'

In addition, changing the amount of days you stay a hotel (either on or off-site), or changing from a deluxe to a value resort, or changing from park hoppers to base tickets...each and everyone one of those decisions can save money! We opted not to have park hopper tickets this past time, and just stay with base tix, and it saved us 120.00.

 

[castlemom3]

Thanks for all the helpfull responses! I am going to cancel the cruise and still plan on going because we have probably over $6000 spent that we can not get refunded for. Debt sucks and most of it is from medical for my husband. He has no medical insurance and nobody will cover him because of high blood pressure.

Does anyone know of a legit way to make money at home?? I cant afford day care and my 2 youngest won't go to school until next year.

Thanks lots

 

[EthansMom]

'

In addition, changing the amount of days you stay a hotel (either on or off-site), or changing from a deluxe to a value resort, or changing from park hoppers to base tickets...each and everyone one of those decisions can save money! We opted not to have park hopper tickets this past time, and just stay with base tix, and it saved us 120.00.

We also opted to go without the park hopping option this last trip. Saved us $200!!! We also did Magical Express, saving the cost of a car rental. And we didn't do any "extras" like Bibbity Bobbity Boutique or Cirque de Soleil. For spending money, we told the kids they each had $75 to spend however they wished and when it was gone, it was gone. They both did pretty well (with some guidance from Mom and Dad) at picking out decent stuff for their money.

 

[jellybeans0607]

I guess i'm very different. Because i would still be going. I'm sure this isnt a surprise, 40,000 doesnt happen over night. So most likely you knew about this before yeasterday, right?

You said you've been saving for this trip for 4years, right. Well the money you have saved shouldn't really effect you're day to day life. After 4years this should all be extra money. Meaning whatever debt you've accumlitaed would have and would still be accumilating if you take the vacation or not.

So if it were me, I would take the vacation, then I would look at what got me into this position and figure a way to fix it.

ETA: It would also depend wht kind of debt it is. If it's all credit debt thatn i would be more likely to cancel, but if it's credit, car loan, home equity loan, etc...then no i wouldnt cancel it.

 

[RMulieri]

I would cancel.Sure you can still go on vacation, and when you come back the debt will still be there,and maybe thensome...What will you do if the economy gets worse? what will you do if Dh had another bout of medical bills? What if he lost his job?These are all things to think about .It is a hard decision and it is yours alone. Personally,I know I would feel awful if I went on vacation with debt hanging over my head, and god forbid some emergent thing happens, or I get home and now i have more debt..food for thought.Good luck.

 

[minkydog]

I think you are wise to limit the vacation. Ditch the cruise and keep the stuff in that's non-refundable. Shorten the trip and plan to be very frugal. Few, if any, sit down dinners in the park. Breakfast in your room. Cancel your character meals, for sure, and just catch the characters in the parks. This would not be the time to "blow the doors off" with a spending spree at WDW. Being $40,000 in debt is no small thing.

At this point you need to be doing everything you can to slash expenses. Stop using your credit cards NOW. If you can't go to WDW without the credit cards, then maybe you don't need to go there. Time to think of stuff to do that can maximize the fun and minimize the cash!

 

[lntsmom]

you should pull everything together and get yourself to a nonprofit debt counselor. I know most Catholic Charities organizations either have such a center or could refer you to one. Unless you are bringing in over 200K a year there is no way you are going to effectively tackle that debt on your own!

Are you charging this trip? If so, they're going to tell you that you really need to cancel. I have friends who ended up in your situation because of Disney. They went every year...sometimes more than once a year...and put it all on credit. They almost lost their home over it.

That said, be careful of where you go. Don't use a company that takes your money and lets your bills go unpaid for 2 or 3 years while they draw interest on it. That's what the for-profit's do. Make sure that you get a nonprofit who can negotiate interest and payments and get you on a plan to get the debt paid off.

I feel for you. I have no debt and I go around in a constant state of panic because I'm always afraid my small savings won't cover emergencies as they arise. Good luck!

 

[RMulieri]

you should pull everything together and get yourself to a nonprofit debt counselor. I know most Catholic Charities organizations either have such a center or could refer you to one. Unless you are bringing in over 200K a year there is no way you are going to effectively tackle that debt on your own!

Are you charging this trip? If so, they're going to tell you that you really need to cancel. I have friends who ended up in your situation because of Disney. They went every year...sometimes more than once a year...and put it all on credit. They almost lost their home over it.

That said, be careful of where you go. Don't use a company that takes your money and lets your bills go unpaid for 2 or 3 years while they draw interest on it. That's what the for-profit's do. Make sure that you get a nonprofit who can negotiate interest and payments and get you on a plan to get the debt paid off.

I feel for you. I have no debt and I go around in a constant state of panic because I'm always afraid my small savings won't cover emergencies as they arise. Good luck!

good point I was once up to my eyeballs in debt and did a non-for -profit debt consolidation.it took a few years, but I have been debt free now for 8 yrs.No credit card debt,car payments.The only thing is our mortgage and that has less than 5 yrs left.I live in fear constantly.We have over 6 mos worth of salaries in one savings account, and our regular savings .I still get all paranoid.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

No way we would be going. I couldn't enjoy myself knowing I had $40,000 of debt hanging over my head.

I know you said you saved for 4 years for this trip but instead of saving for a trip why didn't you pay off some of your bills. As someone said , $40,000 doesn't happen overnight.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

You were asking for ideas for stay at home work in your response posts....

You might try looking at websites that are women-owned business/empowerment sites. Some of those companies might have things you can do. Also, think of things you are good at - do you sew? You could work for a company that makes custom drapes/costumes/baby blankets. Or, start your own business doing those things.

Do you type or are good at helping folks? One suggestion is medical transcription. Those are often work from home jobs. There should be a couple offices that handle that type of work in almost any larger city. You've probably got the computer access (since you're on the DIS), and that's most of what you need.

Some insurance companies use Customer Service and claims people that work from home. I used to know a woman who does that. (Heck - even Disney has reservation agents that telecommute!)

Does your husband work consistent hours or odd ones? That can affect some work choices, too. If you can get away in the evenings and are good with people, you might try a sales/party agency like Pampered Chef.

I understand and feel your pain. Our debt is slowly mounting, as I was laid off and we ran out of my severance money, so I know how easily it can creep up. I've never been out of a job like this, so it's been heart wrenching. I'm literally watching as the technology changes in my highly specialized career are making me obsolete!

I haven't cancelled my WDW trip for January yet, in hopes something in my luck will change. I finally scored a potential job interview for tomorrow/today, so here's hoping! Luckily, we're DVC and flying on airline miles, so it won't be the most expensive trip we've taken.

I guess my point is that you are not alone out there! Best of luck in whatever you decide!!!!

 

[jpeppers]

Nothing you can do now so take the trip because you are pretty much screwed anyway. Just cancel the cruise like you said. Get a cheap ice chest when you get there and keep milk and stuff in there for breakfasts and if you're eating out order a pizza, lots of cheap places around Orlando for that. If most of it is already payed for you can do the rest on the cheap. Disneyworld is expensive but Orlando isn't too bad. Have fun, try to save the marriage and worry about the money later. If the marriage doesn't work you are going to end up being so far in debt anyway so it just doesn't matter now.

 

[jessica52877]

There is no way I could personally sleep at night let alone go on a vacation if I had $40,000 in debt. I would have to assume this vacation is a huge chunk of money and would pay atleast 1/8 if not 1/4 off of it!

There are too many what if's and with 3 young children I wouldn't want anything to happen. How about have a "vacation" around your home town, doing something fun and cheap (or free) every day! You would be surprised what is in your own backyard.

 

[kimbo0569]

There is no way I could personally sleep at night let alone go on a vacation if I had $40,000 in debt. I would have to assume this vacation is a huge chunk of money and would pay atleast 1/8 if not 1/4 off of it!

There are too many what if's and with 3 young children I wouldn't want anything to happen. How about have a "vacation" around your home town, doing something fun and cheap (or free) every day! You would be surprised what is in your own backyard.

I was thinking the same thing. We were originally scheduled to go to Disney last year but money was extremely tight and based on a family member's financial situation and alot of thinking, we opted to wait. We did get to go two weeks ago mainly because dh got a nice raise and some really good retro pay that we were able to pay off our bills and pay for the airfare and package to DisneyWorld and we were able to pretty much do what we wanted and not have to tell the girls no to too many things.

DisneyWorld is not going anywhere, I understand that you want to go but think of the bigger picture. If you are already that much in debt, a trip to Disney is not going to make it better. Find some place closer to home if you need a getaway.