Vacation next week--so excited and proud

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Vacation next week--so excited and proud
4
Wed, 05-18-2005 - 4:12pm

So, Saturday we leave for our first real vacation in more than four years. It feels so good! We split a rental house with four other families (it's a huge rental--our portion was $500 for a week, and each family gets two bedrooms). Everything is paid in cash, and we have $450 set aside for the week.

On the surface, that doesn't sound like much money, once you consider gasoline and the cost of eating out. But the person who organized the trip has arranged for everyone to bring something (we're bringing condiments), and for each family to prepare a meal one night (we're making Asian lettuce wraps). This way, no one has to buy special little packages of detergents, condiments, paper plates, etc., and no one has to choose between cooking and going out to eat every night. There will be only two nights where someone isn't scheduled to cook.

Since we purchased the ingredients for our meal out of regular grocery money, as well as additional snacks and ingredients for lunches, after gasoline costs we'll still have more than $300 to spend on various amusements. More than enough for our family, given that our tastes range toward beach-combing, sight-seeing, flea-marketing, sun-bathing, ocean-swimming, and sand-castle-building activities.

Our total cost for the week of vacation is less than $1000 for the four of us. And ALL paid in cash. :) :) :)

I'm so excited.

Heather

P.S. For newbies--it hasn't always been this way. We have gone more than four years without a vacation because we were formerly quite irresponsible with money and have taken this long to get really back on our feet and in a position where a vacation is feasible. You can do it too, but you have to be patient!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-20-2004
Wed, 05-18-2005 - 6:27pm
Heather,
That is great!!! I hope you guys have a wonderful time!!! You deserve it!!!! Heather
Avatar for mymartes
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 05-18-2005 - 10:54pm

Heather, have a great vacation.

MYM

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2004
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 9:41am
Wow- that sounds fantastic! I love the flea-marketing idea! It's a great deal too! Have a wonderful time~ get a little suntan for me too while you're lounging in the sun! (I haven't been to the beach in 20 years!!) Have fun! Nicki
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-30-2003
Thu, 05-19-2005 - 7:04pm

You're taking the best kind of vacation there is-

The PAID FOR kind!!!!

Congratulations! Enjoy your relaxing time!

Lisa