Frugal living and planning an international trip

[AKA_PI]

My girlfriends and I are planning a trip to Paris for our 30th birthdays in a little less than 2 years. : The plan is to open an account that we all have access to and can make deposits into for the trip. For the 9-night trip to Paris and London, with everything included (transpo, food, air) is going to cost $1,648. Great price, I know.

My personal plan is to have an automatic weekly withdrawal of $10-$20 a week and I figure I can transfer extra when I have it. I have about $2900 in hospital debt to pay plus $3000 in credit card bills. I'm sure one of these will be paid off by next April.

Anyone ever planned a trip and had to save for it?

[woodchick]

Every trip I've ever been on I have had to save for.

You have two years to sock away some money and that's a good plan. I would also make sure not to neglect your debt payments.

Personally, I'd be a bit concerned about putting money into an account that multiple people have access to. I'd rather open a savings account of my own dedicated to the trip. That way my money would be safe and accounted for and I would have full control over it.

[notwonamesalike]

Originally Posted by woodchick

Every trip I've ever been on I have had to save for.

You have two years to sock away some money and that's a good plan. I would also make sure not to neglect your debt payments.

Personally, I'd be a bit concerned about putting money into an account that multiple people have access to. I'd rather open a savings account of my own dedicated to the trip. That way my money would be safe and accounted for and I would have full control over it.

Ditto to all that.

However - your trip sounds like fun. Work on paying off your debt first and enjoy that vacation!

[captain crunchy]

Yeah, I wouldn't do the whole "group" account thing -- money can turn friendships funny sometimes. Perhaps you could do a deal with your friends that everyone put $5 a week into a community "pot" -- more or less if they desire, for splurges on the trip -- a fancier dinner, an extra bottle of wine, etc -- if you have 4 friends putting $5 a week, you will have over 2K in the bank! That way, there is no "should we all have to pay for that expensive bottle of wine Debbie ordered??" You can use your "group" mad money on group dinners etc. Otherwise, I think everyone should save their actual *trip* money separately.

Good luck, I totally think it is beyond possible for you to save for that in two years if you are dedicated and disciplined! It is less than $20 a week.

[AKA_PI]

I hear all of you. And see one of my issues is with one of my girlfriends who has poor money management. She's so behind on her car payments, mortgage and everything else yet she's out shopping all the time. I just don't want this to be a two person thing and the 3rd isn't doing her part.

Maybe we should just start a jar like we did for our Miami trip last year. That paid for everything plus all of our meals. We didn't spend a dime of our own and we were there fore 4 days!

[llamalluv]

There is no way I would open a joint account with anyone other than my own husband. No way.

But, good luck saving for the trip! That sounds fun!