When you splurge, can you enjoy it???!!!

[momtofour]

I am normally frugal by nature but am strongly considering springing for the 7 day Disney Cruise for my family of 6. When all is said and done, this will be about $8000 to $9000. My daughter will be off to college in a couple of years and I would really like to have a really wonderful vacation with all of us together. Here's my question for all of you budget experts. When you have decided to take the plunge and buy something that you normally wouldn't, can you really enjoy it?? I picture myself on this cruise constantly recalculating the cost per day, becoming a little upset if something is a little amiss etc. because this is such a large expenditure!! Any thoughts or insights? I am wondering if I can even really enjoy myself!! Thanks!!!

 

[mad4themouse]

Having been on both the 4-night Wonder and the 7-night Magic, I say, "DO IT!"

You will never feel more pampered than you will on the cruise. From your cabin steward to the waitstaff, everyone's goal is to make sure that you have a Disney Day each and every day of your voyage.

Not once did I stop to think of the cost per day or how much cheaper I could do another vacation. Yes, it is expensive but you're getting your hotel, food, entertainment and transportation from port to port. When you compare that to the cost of an all-inclusive vacation package, you'll find that it is really not that bad.

 

[HenDuck]

If I have saved for a little (or big) splurge, I can enjoy it. My problem is usually actually committing to the splurge in the first place! Once I make the decision, I commit to enjoying it too.

Having said that, if it's going to cost you more stress in the end, maybe you might want to re-think it. Maybe you could compromise on part of it (I don't know anything about cruises, sorry) to make it more palatable to your frugal nature?

BUT if you decide to go for it, remember that you and your familiy do deserve rewards in life. Save, plan and then just go out and enjoy it. Something tells me when you see the joy on your DD's face, you will relax and enjoy.

Have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[prncess674]

I think you will enjoy the splurge if it is paid for in advance. Don't do it on credit because then your stomach will be in nots if all you do is think about the big VISA bill that will arrive after your vacation. Be proud of yourself for savings for something you really wanted.

I bought an SUV last year and was so excited because I saved for it for so long! Every day I get in my car I say "I Love this Car!" Sure I could have gotten one sooner but I decided to drive my old car for several more years and saved money to put down on my SUV. I have a small note that I will pay off at the end of this year and it will be mine free and clear!

 

[Lewisc]

Make sure you add in all the "extras" when you budget the cruise. Tips, drinks, photos, shore excursions all tend to be higher than you'd expect.

 

[MrsPete]

Sure, I can enjoy myself when we splurge. But that's only because I only do it when that splurge is paid for in advance! If I knew that today's fun would be paid off on a credit card wtih 18+% interest for the next umpteen years, I would not enjoy it.

What's included in that $8000-9000? Looking at my cruise brochure, I see that you can get two adjoining porthole rooms (which would sleep eight -- two more than you need) for about $4800 in the off-season. Perhaps you were including air fare?

 

[bigbabyblues]

We enjoy ourselves guilt-free when we splurge, because we do it through saving and planning ahead of time, so it's all paid for. If I was putting it on a credit card that I didn't have the money saved specifically for paying off that bill, I would worry about the cost.

But, if you see my guilt post from earlier today, I do sometimes feel guilty about the little treats....

Steph

 

[momtofour]

My $8000 to $9000 figure includes airfare for 6, projected tips, few souvenirs and photos, and a hotel the night before at the Cape. It sort of is a ballpark figure, but very conservative!!! Unfortunately, I have to travel the third week in March and this is not the cheapest week to cruise. With school schedules for four, this is really the only week we can go!! (Summer is not much cheaper, and being from the Midwest, I need to go somewhere warm in the winter!!!)

 

[kaf7878]

I agree with the posters abt paying it in advance. If something is paid for, no matter how much of a splurge, I enjoy it to the max!!!

 

[canwegosoon]

Honestly, I have a very hard time with the splurge. I keep thinking...this costs so much...or I could be doing this with the money....even on vacation I can't stop trying to be frugal...I am learning to keep my mouth shut. It drives my DH crazy(ok so I'm OCD Frugal). I just think the only solution is to keep taking special times, and hopefully let go. I hope you have a wonderful time on the cruise. It is a dream to get there too...one day!!!

It would truly be a wonderful vacation with your family together, perhaps you can look at it like you are investing in a major family memory.

 

[MermaidsMom]

We have never regretted even one vacation we ever (and still) take with our kids. Today my son said something about him only being home for 3 more years!! He's my baby (of 4) and I want to plan something special for each year he's still here. They are gone so fast and it's so much fun to talk to them as adults and reminice(sp?) about our vacations. It is almost impossible for us to plan a 7 night cruise now because of everyones work schedules. Do it now, you won't regret it ever! Memories of fun times together are so much better than a nicer car/house/clothes, etc.

 

[pjlla]

My opinion is, as long as it is paid for (with cash, not credit!) I would enjoy it. Even if it took me three years to save up, if I really wanted to do it, I would. The only time I don't enjoy a spurge is if I have to charge it and worry about the bill!! That takes all the joy out of it.

If you are concerned about it, you could consider a 3 or 4 night cruise or something other than a Disney cruise (which I know is almost blasphemy here on the Dis). My BIL and his wife have taken many (at least 6) Royal Carribbean cruises, some just the two of them and a few with their teenaged kids and they HIGHLY recommend them. We are considering a Disney cruise in about two years and they are trying to talk us into Royal Carribbean... and truth be told, they do seem a bit cheaper than DCL. Anyhow, whatever you decide, savor the moments, make wonderful memories, and enjoy yourself!................P

 

[hockey mom]

I was that way on my first trip to Disney- constantly adding things up in my head and wondering what I should have done with the money instead. Also in my case I was converting to CDN which was adding to the stress. Then my DH said in order for us to enjoy our vacations I needed to stop and think of the money as already gone so I might as well enjoy myself. Now I pay all of our vacations in little increments and when something is paid for it is out of my head so I really never know the grand total.

 

[tink2dw]

Why not cruise the DIS boards and figure out ways to save on Air fare,transportion,souvenirs and learn ways to save money before you even leave home,like a change jar, giving up lunches out,that starbucks every morning or find ways to get discounts that cruise!!