Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you cut out something else to not have to forgo a family vacation? Your kids will remember those trips (if they’re old enough) and will look back on them fondly as will you.

Sure! We could cut back on something, but I doubt we could recoup $1000 by August doing that alone. That, and I need to book airfare ASAP.

OP, I have a different attitude than most here, because I think $1,000 is a lot to spend on a vacation when you don't feel like you have enough saved for predictable repairs.

However, I believe you should be able to pay for much of this vacation out of cash flow. You don't need to save the full $1000 between now an August but by tightening the belt on your variable expenses; say, entertainment, meals out, convenience foods, clothing and so on for the the next two months you should be able to make, perhaps, two $300 extra payments into your savings account to replenish what this vacation will cost. And you would enjoy that vacation more .

With all these facts on the table seems more like it would be emotionally irresponsible to *not* take it.

If you are worried about 1000 I would not take it, and instead take smaller shorter long weekend type trips that are much less expensive. That way, if expensive things do happen, you cxan always cancel one of the local trips but still get some vacationing in.

Or, a local week long trip, like to a national or state parks in VA, West VA, or PA.

Go on a "big" trip next year.

Wow. You are stressing about a $1000 family vacation? Are you sure this is not a typo? Did you mean $10000?
You must be poor or extremely stingy.
This is a really cheap vacation and it would be financially irresponsible to not take it.

This all sounds very, very reasonable. Go on vacation!

Anonymous wrote:Have not had a vacation in three years.

You need to get on that.

Anonymous wrote:I’d still take it. That’s what emergency savings is for. You spend it on the emergency so that your other life things are not affected by it. Of course if you have multiple expensive emergencies that sucks and then you have to reevaluate.
We replaced our hvac this winter (unplanned) and now have water in the basement so we will have to deal with that and get new flooring. I’m still going on the vacation I booked for July which will be about $3k for the 3 of us. I need a vacation to recuperate and then kill it at work for another two months before raises and bonuses are decided

+1
I'd definitely still take the vacation.

Do it. $1000 is cheap.

Have not had a vacation in three years.

Anonymous wrote:I would take it. You sound like you are generally really financially responsible and have a good handle on your budget. Your kids won’t be at home for that many years. Take the trip and make the memories.

+1 that is a very low price for a week vacation! Take it, be careful in other areas and continue to live your responsible life

Anonymous wrote:Do you each max your 401k’s and IRA’s? (2x $18,500 and 2x 5,500?)

If so, take the vacation. If not, do that first.

Yes, we max contribute.

Do it, no question.

IF every person looked at a vacation this way 1/2 the beach would be empty

Do you each max your 401k’s and IRA’s? (2x $18,500 and 2x 5,500?)

If so, take the vacation. If not, do that first.

Not irresponsible .. but you may want to look at how you are stretched. Replacing a roof shouldn't be a big surprise. You need to have money to draw from for these types of expenses. Having said that, a modest summer vacation shouldn't be the thing on the chopping block.