Would you go on vacation while laid off?

[crunchy_mommy]

My DH is laid off & collecting UE. We have cut out any non-essentials (not much to cut out, we live simply I guess) and are saving every last cent. We do have savings and he has 1.5 years of UE still, so we are not worried about immediately running out of money but just trying to be extra cautious in case this turns out to be really long-term.

OK so we usually go on 1-2 vacations each year -- somewhere in driving distance, stay at the cheapest hotel/camp, bring our own food, do free local activities -- so relatively inexpensive.

We really REALLY want to get away from the stress etc. and go to our favorite local spot... and DS is so much happier on vacation (he's high-needs and I just really cherish those trips because he's so happy on them, we get to feel more like a normal family!) Plus if DH does find a job, it would probably be hard for him to get time off right away, so I feel like we should take advantage of DH being so available, and just GO. And I have 4 weeks of vacation time that I somehow need to use by Dec.

But the other half of me thinks it's completely stupid to even consider spending anything on something so frivolous!!!

[NiteNicole]

Depending on the total cost, maybe.  My first reaction was NO!!!!  but if you're taking food (you'd eat at home anyway) and doing free activities and camping...how much can it really set you back?

[phathui5]

As long as you can budget it in and your bills are still paid, absolutely yes.

[MCsMom]

My husband isn't totally laid off - but his company was shut down, and now he is working for a temp firm and does not know if the new company is going to hire him or if he will be on unemployment - but either way, we are going on vacation next week.  It is his parents 50th wedding anniversary and all his siblings are coming as well.  We have already paid the major portions of the expense.

[Galatea]

Yes, you should go.

[crunchy_mommy]

Oh this is great getting your perspectives!! I tend to penny-pinch even in the best of times so I'm never sure if I'm being prudently cautious or just plain stingy.

We don't have access to the camping equipment we usually borrow (and with a toddler, borrowing anything makes me nervous since he could destroy it!!) so we'd need to buy a tent, tarp, and a few other things (probably under $50) and pay for gas plus campground fees or find a free campsite. I think ideally we'd stay in a hotel because the heat's been bothering me lately and it's easier... so depending what we'd do/how long we stay, it would cost us total between $100-400.

I desperately want to get away. *insert whining*

[ssantos]

We did!  My dh was working, and I was a SAHM (~5 years) at the time with two young children.  We were in a town where we had no family and were slowly making friends and I desperately needed a vacation.  We booked a one-week cruise and were to take the kids to grandma's house in another city.  Two days before we were to leave to go to grandma's, my dh got laid off (mid 2008).  We had no credit card debt and some savings, but we had a mortgage and a car note.  We went anyway!  I don't regret it for one minute.  I got a job 5 months later which I love, but it took my husband 2 years to find another job (he's very picky).  It took us 8 months to sell the house (while paying rent in the city where I got my job), but we were able to get through it all while keeping some savings.  We were very fortunate.  As long as you don't have credit card debt and have some savings I say go for it!   

[ollyoxenfree]

If it won't cause more financial stress, then yes, go. Enjoy. 

A few years ago, both dh and I found ourselves without jobs. We knew it was temporary, we had savings, and we were relocating anyway. We packed up the kids and took a long driving/sightseeing vacation to get to our next home. It's a very special memory for us. 

[A&A]

I wouldn't, personally. 

[springbride]

Originally Posted by phathui5 

As long as you can budget it in and your bills are still paid, absolutely yes.

This exactly!  DH is on UE also, and I am on maternity leave, but we budgeted in a couple of camping trips for this summer.  

There are lots of daily deal websites out there that can help you have really fun vacations (even if it's a day trip) for not too much money.  

 

[Sharlla]

Originally Posted by phathui5 

As long as you can budget it in and your bills are still paid, absolutely yes.

yep.  great time to get away

[lilyka]

I can't think of a better time to go.  it doesn't sound like you are being extravagant and spending money you don't have.  Might as well take a week off and get away from the stress.

[Drummer's Wife]

Yes, go! Enjoy your vacation with your family.

[chely7425]

Yes, I would go!  Just because you are laid off/on UE doesn't mean you should sit in the house and do nothing.  

[meemee]

here is my philosophy on things - which bless her heart my xmil helped me to see. 

the one whose needs has at all costs to be taken into consideration is our soul. everyday when dd was a baby she'd call me and ask me what have i done for my soul that day (marriage was on the rocks so even in a marriage i was all alone with a HNs baby and she wanted to make sure i kept my sanity). i'd tell her about what about my baby made my day and she'd tell me - no tell me what have YOU done for YOUR soul today. because i was coming from a taking care of dd perspective. teh day i told her how dd touched me emotionally she accepted. 

in times of stress we must grab at any source of joy. because i have discovered in my own journey - something changes within me when i take care of my soul (it doesnt matter whether u believe in god or not. by soul here i mean YOURself. and the word soul is a shortcut method for saying urself). for a few days, moments i feel so destressed. and the result. i can think more clearly and logically when i've had a break.

the world does not look like such a hopeless place. and you know what. the answers jump out at me. AND over and over and over again things have always worked out. 

simple example (perhaps too simple). i have the last $ in my purse and dd asks for a mexican bakery treat. i have the money but its my last $. at first i immediately ball up and fear just wells up within me. and then i go what the heck. i am tired of living that way. and we eat and walk home and its all so beautiful and the day seems better than it is. 

the key is not doing it. the key is giving yourself permission to do it. and later on while doing laundry i found that dollar in a pocket. at that moment it fills me with such deep great joy that we did something when we could. both dd and i had a great time. otherwise if i hadnt and found that dollar oh man i sink to the pits of sadness. to the very depths. that i did not spend the money. 

i have read many first accounts from the depression when even thru the hunger and darkness - little acts of soul caring really made for wonderful moments. even, yes even at the cost of food. choosing to eat buttered toast for lunch at the cost of no dinner. 

so yes. do it. a holiday means more to ur family now than it has always meant. esp. if you have the money NOW. 

[crunchy_mommy]

Meemee can you come live with me so you can just spew little bits of inspiration at me all day long?

[mnnice]

Originally Posted by crunchy_mommy 

Oh this is great getting your perspectives!! I tend to penny-pinch even in the best of times so I'm never sure if I'm being prudently cautious or just plain stingy.

We don't have access to the camping equipment we usually borrow (and with a toddler, borrowing anything makes me nervous since he could destroy it!!) so we'd need to buy a tent, tarp, and a few other things (probably under $50) and pay for gas plus campground fees or find a free campsite. I think ideally we'd stay in a hotel because the heat's been bothering me lately and it's easier... so depending what we'd do/how long we stay, it would cost us total between $100-400.

I desperately want to get away. *insert whining*

First, go and have fun.  My crew went on the longest vacation we had ever taken (18 days in the Summer 2009) when DH was laid off.  He ended up being off of work for 10 months afterward (for a totally of about 18 months).  Anyway we made lots of great memories and we all still talk about it often (and had a pretty lame vacation in 2010 since DH did not have much for vacation accrued).

I tend to be a bit of a camping equipment snob, but directionally I think spending more on tent than $50 is going to money well spent.  IMO Cheap tents=wet people and gear.  A quality tent can last a long time (We still regularly use a tent we bought in 1998 that probabily has 150 night of use on it.  It has one window that held together with duct tape, but I have never gotten wet in despite being in some crazy rainstorms).   Our average price per night is less than $2 for that tent.  Anyway a thoughtfully picked out $200 tent should last longer and be way more functional than four $50 tents.
 

[GirlBoyGirl]

Go, have fun, and come back refreshed and ready to job search!