I've found the trigger for my spending

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2002
I've found the trigger for my spending
6
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 5:18pm

I'm still paying off old debt and no cc's so no new debt. But no e-fund either. A few years ago I took a low paying job at an airline to travel and have some fun while I was unattached with no kids. I wasn't making alot, but got free travel and until 28, I had never gone anywhere.

I am now realizing why I have no e-fund - I kept seeing outstanding opportunities and taking them, but even the food costs add up!!!

I went to London for $200 first class, went to Paris for free first class, and went to Puerto Rico for free within a year. But, I had to pay for hotels (with the exception of Paris - stayed with my cousin) and food, and transportation. I kept thinking "I can't pass up this free travel!" so I would go. To Park City , Utah for snowboarding (all free except food), to California, everywhere. Most of the time I had a free place to stay, the flight was free, so I said why not?? But, the expenses add up!

Last year I moved and took a better paying job in a different industry and I miss the travel so I recently went to Ireland and paid for the ticket. I am 30 so I keep thinking "I want to do this NOW before I am married with kids (although I don't even know if I want that)" and I think my overwhelming feeling to see the world is the cause of my lack of e-fund.

I found the trigger, but I am not happy to admit it :) I barely shop, I don't have expensive taste, this must be it. My goal has been to get out of the US every 6 months but now maybe it should be every year only if I have an e-fund. I can't believe I didn't realize this sooner.

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2004
Wed, 04-05-2006 - 7:43pm
Hi, IDP---Well, that sounds like a "fun" trigger---seeing exciting places, free flights, exotic locales, etc. My trigger is the online version---and the grocery shopping. There's that website for Image Tours that a GF went on----inexpensive travel, bus tours, etc. She saw Europe, London, Paris, Holland, etc.---airlines were a bit extra, but everything else was included--meals, tours, itinerary, stopovers, etc. What about weekend gigs? Do you ever go anywhere for an inexpensive weekend, i.e., Boston, New Mexico, Arizona, etc? Whiz.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2005
Thu, 04-06-2006 - 1:39am
Yeah, but just think of all the wonderful memories you're going to have!

Lara

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2005
Thu, 04-06-2006 - 10:31am

I used to work for an airline, too.

 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2002
Thu, 04-06-2006 - 8:20pm

Ladies,
You are so wise and have prompted me to look deeper into thingns. This thread also prompted me to think were I've lived in the states:
Breckenridge, CO, Northern Virginia and Boston (Whiz, you got me thinking of this one when you mentioned places to see here! I've lived in good places, BUT SO EXPENSIVE!) So, the places where I've lived rank as some of the highest in he nation so I need to take that into consideration.

I also need to look at alternatives and appreicate what I have seen. And also that e-fund comes first from now on!

Avatar for mymartes
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 04-06-2006 - 9:33pm

you have some great memories of all the neat places you've gone to. that is priceless.

MYM

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Thu, 04-06-2006 - 10:07pm
What a wonderful thing to spend on! How about staying at hostels to save money on your future trips? Of course, e-fund should be established first. Many people her have accounts like ING that directly withdraw the money from their checking and put it in a savings. You can even set-up a stop date if you wanted to save for a trip or something specific.

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