Need a break, don't have the cash - Would you put $3k on credit card for vacation?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The title says it all. I am frazzled and need/want a nice vacation. I have money in the bank, but it's earmarked for other purposes (ie house repairs, summer camp, etc). So I don't want to dip into those savings to pay for the vacay. Sooooo, a friend mentioned just putting it on a credit card, and aim to pay it off by year-end. She said that's what she does.

I am very averse to debt, and don't ever carry a credit card balance. I use a card for everyday purchases but pay it off every week. I've got a mortgage, student loan, and a car loan, and I am trying to pay these debts off as quickly as feasibly possible. So I feel kind of guilty even thinking about taking a decent vacation while still paying off these debts. BUT I really want to go on one, I need it.

Wwyd? I considered a cheaper vacation, but that's what I've been doing, and quite frankly that gets old. It costs $$$ to see the places I want to go, and I'd like to move beyond just checking out local US spots (even though they are super duper affordable).

-Do any of you put vacay on the credit card, and pay it off later?
-How much?
-How long does it take you to pay it off?
-Do you ever feel bad about this debt hanging over you?

Yes. Take the vacation. Put it on the credit card. Pay it off later.

Don't make a habit of it, but life is short.

In 2005 I traveled around the world for 8 weeks and put the whole thing on a visa. I paid it off a year later. Best trip of my life.

Good post

[Anonymous]

I would lean towards putting half on the card and paying half in cash.

If I could only afford to go on the vacation if I charged the whole trip, then no...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You sound pretty disciplined, OP. If you have a 0% or very low interest card, I'd say go for it. Live a little. Enjoy your life. Stick to your payment plan when you return!

In what way does OP sound disciplined? She has tried to save for the vacation, but always wound up spending the money elsewhere. I agree with a PP who said there is no reason to expect that to change and charging a trip she was unable to save for and therefore can't afford now is courting trouble.

This! OP does not sound disciplined at all.

New poster here. I also agree that OP sounds disciplined because she does pay off her weekly balances, and is consistent/vigilant about paying off loans.

Oh ok.

[Anonymous]

The question is: will OP be ABLE to pay off the loan in a year? Or, will he/she want another trip?

My mom always said that it is okay to charge when you know you will be able to pay the bills. When you can't, it leads down a very dark path.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This post is a perfect example of the sense of American entitlement. "I want what I want! I want to see far away places! I need it! I deserve it! I WANT it! Me, me, me!"

I disagree. My American friends usually rent a beach house every year for a week and that's it. The foreigners are the ones who really travel abroad.

Yup. My friend, whom I love dearly, describes her family as one that takes expensive vacations. Yet they rent a beach house for a week and that's it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I would never charge that. I'd love to sit by a pool for a week and relax, but we can't this year due to house repairs and childcare costs. So, we are driving to Philadelphia and exploring that city for 4 days. I booked a hotel with my rewards points and made sure it had a pool and hot tub. I'm hoping the whole vacation costs about $600 total.

Don't be foolish, op.

That doesn't sound like a trip. I would rather stay home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd NEVER do that. We all want nice things in life. Doesn't mean you go out and get it.

+1

[Anonymous]

We had a long weekend at a nice beach resort area for around $600 (probably less than that). Trick is to eat only one meal out per day. Usually lunch.

It can be done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I would never charge that. I'd love to sit by a pool for a week and relax, but we can't this year due to house repairs and childcare costs. So, we are driving to Philadelphia and exploring that city for 4 days. I booked a hotel with my rewards points and made sure it had a pool and hot tub. I'm hoping the whole vacation costs about $600 total.

Don't be foolish, op.

That doesn't sound like a trip. I would rather stay home.

Thank you for that very helpful contribution to this conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I would never charge that. I'd love to sit by a pool for a week and relax, but we can't this year due to house repairs and childcare costs. So, we are driving to Philadelphia and exploring that city for 4 days. I booked a hotel with my rewards points and made sure it had a pool and hot tub. I'm hoping the whole vacation costs about $600 total.

Don't be foolish, op.

That doesn't sound like a trip. I would rather stay home.

Thank you for that very helpful contribution to this conversation.

Considering there is a ton to see there (art museums, zoo, aquarium, Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross' house, Reading Market, Independence Hall, Franklin Museum) and near there (Lancaster, Valley Forge, Gettysburg), etc. you're crazy! No, it isn't a beach, but most Americans (esp those within driving distance!) should see these things!!!

Have fun!

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if those who say do it are more likely to be in debt than those who say to either not do it or do a cheaper version of a vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, I would never charge that. I'd love to sit by a pool for a week and relax, but we can't this year due to house repairs and childcare costs. So, we are driving to Philadelphia and exploring that city for 4 days. I booked a hotel with my rewards points and made sure it had a pool and hot tub. I'm hoping the whole vacation costs about $600 total.

Don't be foolish, op.

That doesn't sound like a trip. I would rather stay home.

But, if PP had said that they were flying to London for four days and exploring the city---and spending $2400 on flight costs for her family and $2000 on other expenses for a family of four, I bet you would have said "great"!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:don't do it. can you find a cheap flight now fora flight that leaves later in the year or early next year? Then next month or the month after book your accommodations, then within a couple of months your two biggest expenses are paid for and you don't have debt. A month or two after your accommodations are booked, book your entertainment (city pass, museum tickets, whatever.) Then that's paid for. Then the next couple of months set aside money for food, bus/train tickets and incidentals. By the time you leave your trip will be paid for and no debt. I live on a small income and this is how I travel. I don't travel fancy but I always have a great time and I don't have debt. I also generally travel with a carry on rather than checked bag which makes it really easy not to shop since there's not enough room for random souvenirs. Sometimes I send myself post cards which is fun to come home to.

Delta is rocking some excellent flight prices to Spain right now. Check out who has cheap flights.

This is great!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The title says it all. I am frazzled and need/want a nice vacation. I have money in the bank, but it's earmarked for other purposes (ie house repairs, summer camp, etc). So I don't want to dip into those savings to pay for the vacay. Sooooo, a friend mentioned just putting it on a credit card, and aim to pay it off by year-end. She said that's what she does.

I am very averse to debt, and don't ever carry a credit card balance. I use a card for everyday purchases but pay it off every week. I've got a mortgage, student loan, and a car loan, and I am trying to pay these debts off as quickly as feasibly possible. So I feel kind of guilty even thinking about taking a decent vacation while still paying off these debts. BUT I really want to go on one, I need it.

Wwyd? I considered a cheaper vacation, but that's what I've been doing, and quite frankly that gets old. It costs $$$ to see the places I want to go, and I'd like to move beyond just checking out local US spots (even though they are super duper affordable).

-Do any of you put vacay on the credit card, and pay it off later?
-How much?
-How long does it take you to pay it off?
-Do you ever feel bad about this debt hanging over you?

Yes. Take the vacation. Put it on the credit card. Pay it off later.

Don't make a habit of it, but life is short.

In 2005 I traveled around the world for 8 weeks and put the whole thing on a visa. I paid it off a year later. Best trip of my life.

I envy you PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP I got a great vacation on cheapcaribbean.com in the caymans with my kids. We stayed on the less popular side of the island at the holiday inn with a daily shuttle to the beach and a view of the interior side (I'd call it the "sound" side but I'm not sure it's a sound... anyway...)

Maybe got without the kids if you need to cut costs. Airfare is what gets you with kids....

So true.