WWYD- Vacation or SAVE Money!!!

[mommyto4grits]

Ok Mama's need some advice..My 9yr old's brownie troop which is all of 5 girls, is going to Disney World the 22nd-25th (yes in 8 days) with their cookie sale money.
All the Mom's are going, except one who is very pregnant, and then 1 Mom is bringing an older sibling.
Here's the financial's...

The girls disney tickets are paid for
We live only 6 hours from there so we are driving- I have to pay gas for one tank $60 (we are taking 2 cars, my friend and I are splititng gas for her Suburban)
I have to pay for my ticket $90
Lodging is paid for because the leader has a time share
Food (at the park, on the way there and back, meals at the hotel, and 1 night out) $130
Souveniers- even the bare minimum is ging to be $50
My dh is taking 1 day off of work so after taxes that is about $400

Total- $780
And that is if I REALLY stick to the budget.

We went to Dave Ramsey live last night, and I am so motivated to build savings. We have a very large income, and I am so embarrased to say we currently have $5.00 in savings- yep $5.00! We owe $6000 on cc's, and have a million other expenses coming up, and no savings!

I am really just thinking I should skip going to Disney, but my dd will not go without me- she is very clingy- and I would feel so bad for not taking her. And my friend who is also in the troop would I think be mad if I don't go. But I feel this tugging to just but the breaks on ALL extra spending till there is a few thousand in savings.

Any advice is appreciated!

[ChristyMarie]

I don't think it is fair to your dd to cancel a trip 8 days before she is supposed to go with all her friends. That would be punishing her for your actions.

[mommyto4grits]

That's sort of what I was thinking, I feel bad, and this isn't her fault.

[woodchick]

Is your DH going with you? Or is he staying home with your other girls? At first I wasn't sure why the $400 came into things. Is there any other option for your other girls for that one day?

Can you pack travelling food and hit up a grocery store once you get there for food at the time share?

Can you set a $ amount for souviners? I know Disney is expensive, but can you set it at, say, $25 and then collect 'freebies' as souvineers? Like ticket stubs, character autographs, photos infront of special things... Also, you don't mention how old she is. Does she have $ herself that she can spend on trinkets? My parents used to buy us one thing and anything else we'd have to spring for ourselves.

I'm normally all for saving, and we're doing Dave Ramsey ourselves, but it isn't DDs fault that you saw Dave after you promised her the trip. I'd go, make the best of it and buckle down when I got home.

[HeatherAtHome]

He makes $400 a day? I don't think one trip to Disney (mostly paid for!) is going to throw you off budget. There's something else going on.

I wouldn't cancel last minute. Just encourage her to enjoy the trip because after that the family will be buckling down.

[mommyto4grits]

No he is not going, he is staying home with the other kids. Yes, he makes that much, and yes we have $5.00 in savings. We have had a few things come up lately that drained that. And yes, we have spent waaay to much on crap! Did DR years ago, the Financial Peace class, and after going to the live show last night I am more motivated than ever to get on track.

We are bringing food for breakfasts, and 1 Dinner, and yes I want to cap the spending on the souveniers, not a necessity. I am thinking we will still go, stick to a tight budget and get things back on track and get our savings built up!

[eirual]

I'd go. If you have someone you can trust to watch the kids for the day and pay $50-$100 that would knock $300 off your price right there. Take cash (in little amounts kept different places) so you can't go overboard and get gazelle once you get back.

[laohaire]

I'd go. I assume your DH sometimes takes a day off, right? This would be a day that qualifies.

You can spend $50 for souveniers if you want but I don't see why you'd have to. Disney is the point of the day, and taking photos are souvenier enough imho. But it's $50 on a big day, I wouldn't make it a hill to die on.

I would not consider not going under these circumstances - let it be the last hurrah.

Food estimate seems reasonable to me. Just don't get suckered into going to the Crystal Palace. If "everybody else" goes, have a quiet meal somewhere else and meet up with the gang again after. It's $30 a head. I don't know what the other restaurants cost but I was there in February, my wealthy SIL insisted we eat there (but of course my brother and SIL only paid for themselves) and my parents, who were treating me, DH and DD as well as themselves of course were stuck with an awfully large bill (and we were rushed out as well).

[Peony]

I'd go as well, try to keep the trip expenses down as much as you could, and then just pick up when you get back.

[Ianthe]

I also vote for going.. I'm sure she's worked hard for this trip and is really looking forward to it!

I agree with the pp who asked if someone else can watch your other kids so your DH doesn't have to miss work?

Maybe you could also carpool and split gas? (ETA: nevermind, just saw that you are already carpooling)

Bring your own groceries and snacks

Buy ONE souvenir for DD, or give her $20 to buy whatever she wants for her souvenir.. then take LOTS of pics and print them out for her afterwards.. maybe even spend $1 on a little photo book for her from the dollar store.

Have fun!!! You will be able to get on financial track right after this trip.. and you'll be building happy memories for your DD and you.. something very important, IMO!

[EFmom]

I'm not normally a person who spends much on vacations, but I think in this case I'd go. It's not fair to your daughter to cancel out on such short notice, and the fact that you have accomodations included is awesome. And the cost considering it's a Disney vacation is pretty awesome.

Have fun and get back on the straight and narrow when you get home.

[choli]

It seems like a lot of money for a very short vacation for very few members of your family.

However, I think it would be cruel to cancel at such short notice. The best solution would be if your daughter would go with the troupe without you, but it sounds like she is not ready for that.

[jeteaa]

If another mom will be in charge of your dd, send her and you stay home w/ the other kids. She doesn't NEED $50 worth of disny trinkets!!!!

[MissLotus]

It would be horribly disappointing for your daughter to cancel at this late date, and for a Disney vacation (free place to stay, no airfare cost?) that's really cheap. If your husband makes that much per day, it shouldn't take terribly long to get back on track, plus if it's really a huge issues, pehaps he could take it as a personal or vacation day, anyway.

[mommyto4grits]

Thank you all so much! I did totally forget he can take a vacation day and still get some pay. We are still going to go, she will have her own money (my dad gave her some) for any souveniers, and then I will get something small for my little dd. I think we will have a great time, and as long as I continue to be frugal in other areas we will get back on track quickly.

[woodchick]

I think you've got the right attitude! Have a great time!

[Irishmommy]

You should have time to hit a grocery store down there. Buy any souvenirs there rather than in the park, it's at least half the price.

[laohaire]

Ah, I just wanted to throw in, don't forget parking costs when you do your budget and plan for your cash. I don't remember what it was, I think it was about $17 for the day, but not certain.

[nd_deadhead]

I really think this is a no-brainer - you go on the trip! We're talking hundreds, not thousands of dollars, and it doesn't sound as though you're going to lose your house or not be able to feed your kids as a result of spending this amount.

Should you set up a savings plan? By all means! But don't "steal" from your dd to do it.

I've pulled my kids out of school for a couple of family vacations, which is something that some parents refuse to do (it's hard to go on ski trips during summer break). But my kids remember every trip we've taken - and they certainly don't remember ever day at school. I was so gratified when my 10-yr-old son gazed adoringly at me while riding up a chairlift and said "Mom, this is an AWESOME ski vacation!" I hope you have that kind of trip to Disney!