Summer Decision Help
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| Tue, 12-09-2008 - 11:13am |
Wondering if you guys can help talk something out with me. I have two little kids - 5 yo DS and a almost 2 yo DD. Each summer for the past three years we've joined our zoo. It costs us $84/year. The zoo is about a 30 minute drive and this past summer we didn't utilize the passes much because gas was over $4 per gallon. We went to the zoo probably about 5 times.
I was thinking for this upcoming summer to not renew our zoo membership and instead join our local pool. This costs $140/season for a family of four. Now, last year I put my son in swimming lessons which cost us $50. But, if we join the local pool I wouldn't sign him up for lessons - I would just make a point of taking him alone without my DD and getting him some lesson time. So:
$84 (zoo pass) + $50 (swim lesson) = $134
That is essentially the same price as the pool pass for the summer. AND the thing that's really getting me is the pool is FIVE minutes from the house. SO close. If we get there and one of the kids has a meltdown we can just leave and not worry that we are blowing our money.
Now, this is something I would never have even hestitated spending money on a year ago. Now that my mindset on debt/money has changed I want to know if you guys think this is a smart thing to do?? We can work this money for the pool into our budget and pay cash for the pass. We wouldn't charge it.

I think that makes total sense to me.
I just wanted to let you know that in my city the library carries free or hugely discounted passes to all the museums in the area. This includes the Boston Children's museum and the Boston Museum of Science. maybe your library does something similar? We recently went to a childrens museum for 8 dollars for the whole family.
I would say you may get more use out of the pool membership though. It's right next to your house...that's great...and maybe your kids are tired of the zoo anyway if you've always gotten the yearly pass.
Abbie
Our city offers several free days at the zoo and several museums but I understand that they are crazy busy those days.
Do the pool
Mary Ann
I say "POOL".
Norma
"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus