Florida or Not
Right now I’m trying to make a decision. As you all know (because I won’t let you forget!), I’m trying to get on top of my finances and pay down some of this debt that I have. That’s what is helping this decision be so difficult for me to make. See, there’s this conference happening in Florida in September, and I REALLY want to go. In an almost desperate sort of way. I want to go and hang out with friends, meet new friends, and finally meet some new friends in person for the first time. Not to mention, it’d just be all around a great experience. I’ve spent a bunch of time crunching the numbers, and in August I should have the money to pay cash for the trip and not have to put myself further in debt (like I did for Vegas last November, oops) in order to go, especially if I manage to find some vacation deals, which I’m hoping I will. Rooming with friends would bring down the cost of the hotel stay considerably, and as soon as Allegiant schedules their September flights, I’ll be able to see if I can get any good deals there.
So what’s the problem? It’s this whole debt repayment thing! I’m a big fan of Dave Ramsey– reading the Total Money Makeover, and listening to his radio show has been a huge catalyst in getting me moving, and finally making progress in the financial arena. And I know what he would say about taking a vacation…. so even though I could go, and pay cash, there’s a big part of me that knows I “should” be putting all that cash towards my debt snowball and making more progress forward. The rest of me is saying hey wait a minute! I’ll have the cash to do it, and don’t I deserve it? Oh yeah… never mind the fact that I deserved myself right into credit card debt in the first place. I know it’s going to take me awhile to get out of debt completely, and I am just not “gazelle intense” enough to deny myself absolutely everything for the several years it’s probably going to take. I was reading an article on somebody’s blog the other day (but of course I can’t find it now) where they were talking about sacrificing a little bit of repayment intensity for the sake of making memories, and that’s the direction I’m leaning. Yes, I want to get out of debt, and yes I’d like it to happen as quickly as possible. But at the same time, I don’t want to deny myself every great opportunity that comes along to make it happen a month or two faster either.
I’m really leaning towards making this trip as long as I can pay cash for it, so I’ve started a special savings in my ING account called Florida to start putting small amounts of money in. Even so, I won’t know for sure for another month or two. It’s kind of strange how my mindset has changed… before I never would have questioned it. I’d be going whether I could afford it or not, and I’d make it happen. I never thought I could live within my means like this, and that I’d be so committed to make sure it stays that way.
April 7th, 2008 at 9:27 am
I’m really wanting to go this time, too. We knew there was no way I could afford the Vegas trip, but hopefully Hubby and I will both be able to go this time.
At least we’ll be driving down, so that’ll help out some. We have family in the area so we decided if it comes down to it, we’ll invite ourselves to stay with them :-p and drive from Tampa to Orlando each day.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
If it makes you feel any better, I’m taking a vacation this summer instead of paying down debt with the extra money, too. I think you need to find a level of gazelle intensity that works for you. Dave Ramsey’s intensity would burn me out quickly.
I think if you really want to go and can pay cash, you should go. I think it’s important to do fun things every once in a while, especially if debt repayment will be a long process. If you don’t allow yourself a paid in cash treat sometimes, you’ll burn out quickly.
Just don’t deserve yourself back into more debt.
Thanks for the mention!
April 8th, 2008 at 9:22 am
“Conference” sounds tax deductible if its work related. Or religious. Or some other tax deductible related expense. I went to a conference to see the Dalai Lama and it was deductible because I got continuing education credits and because the ticket was a donation to a religious organization.
April 10th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Beans and rice, rice and beans — and a trip to Florida! The way I see it, Jenn, it all comes down to the budget you’ve made. Cut back where you can to build up that Florida fund, and enjoy yourself. Debt repayment is painful enough; sometimes a reward makes sucking up the rest of it easier. (How’s THAT for rationalization!?)
April 28th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
it’s a hard decision…I hope i get to see you, but it’s totally selfish reasons! On the other hand, after losing my dad, I take every trip i can, make every memory I can, and enjoy life as time goes on…while i may be able to afford it today, i might not tomorrow…so i always go when i can
He always “waited” until later…but later didn’t come…a lesson I learned the moment we lost him