Does anyone else have trouble spending money?

I'm on vacation for the whole week. We didn't plan a week long vacation because I simply couldn't afford it. We have done 2 day trips thus far, one costing me a couple hundred bucks and one costing me nothing. I have a canoe trip planned with one kiddo that will be inexpensive but had a couple other things in mind that will not be as cheap.

I can't seem to get past the idea of spending money on these other things. I know my kids will be disappointed if we don't do at least one of them. I feel bad already that I can't provide them a nice vacation like I always had growing up.

Trying to decide if I should just get past it and spend the money to make memories...

or

Find something else to do that doesn't cost a lot, like more time at the beach etc...

Your thoughts?

Heather - kind of a catch 22 situation here.

you can make memories either way, personally I'd chose the less expensive route - like you mentioned more time at beach, a park, and maybe even local events.

Have fun on your vacation

I don't have it to spend, so it's not a problem.

It shouldn't be about the money, it should be about the memories and good times spent together. There are a lot of things that families can do together, that do not cost anything at all, or the cost is very little. What ended up mattering to my boys, was the time we spent together. None of the things we did, cost much at all.

Thank you Fran.

I know it sounds shallow wishing they could have a vacation like I did growing up, but I remember the times so fondly when we would pack up the car and get to stay at the hotel and so forth. Somehow it just doesn't seem the same only going away for the day. My daughter did mention she had so much fun at the beach yesterday and didn't at all seem upset that it was something that was free. Maybe it's more me worrying over it than the kids...

Well I set aside some money in my head, knowing it would be the only stretch of time I had off work. But I can see that money going towards bill so much easier than I can towards "other stuff".

Time spent together is definitely the most important thing. The other 2 things I had in mind would require an overnight stay as it's a longer trip. Might have to back up and pick something closer to home.

Well heather, you know of my upcoming grand touring adventure planned for august on motorcycle. It doesn't happen overnight. Everything is planned accordingly and organized extensively.

Heather, my 10 yr old son has told me some of the best times he has with me is when we pack up the cooler, the grill, a bucket, a net an go spend the day at the creek. Doesn't cost me anything but gas an hot dogs for lunch. When I say we spend the day, we spend the day. We're there by 10am. We swim, we try to catch minnows, now u know why the bucket an net LOL, we grill hot dogs. We don't leave until the sun is goin down. I personally don't think for the average kid it's the amount of money we spend on them, but the time we spend with them.

Does not sound shallow at all. Rest assured so long as they are having fun they are not missing anything else nor do they care if it costs money. Keep them busy, entertained and get them tired

Doesn't matter what you do as long as you are spending time together!

I think that kids are much more resilient and knowledgeable than many give them credit for. My son is used to "big" vacations, lots of long weekends etc. But, the past couple of years have been difficult and we've had to scale waaaaaaaay back. I simply explained to him that I couldn't afford to do what we'd been doing, not this year anyway. And we talked about choices, that we can't afford to do everything but would have to choose among a couple of options that I could afford. Surprisingly, not a single word of complaint, disappointment, nothing.

This year, I found a cheap place in the Outer Banks, where we're spending a week. But, we're cooking almost all our meals instead of eating out and our activities that we spend money are on are very limited. Most of the time will just be spent lounging at the beach, etc. We've picked a couple of lower cost things to do, but that's it.

Actually you bring up a good point. Maybe this winter I should plan ahead for a week's trip and start putting a little money aside each week for it.

The only problem I see with this is I have a little OCD issue with larger amounts of money. When I have it, I always pay something off rather than spend it on anything fun. My ex used to have a huge issue with this. I would pay things off and not leave enough to go and do things. My mind is always more peaceful when the bills are payed and nothing is left on installments or credit. And the weird thing is I have very little debt compared to most people.

Money is tight and times are hard, we're taking our vacation in the back yard.

You will make the right decision.
The fun stuff is great, but worrying about the bills is not.
A little indulgence is not a bad thing.

I'm hearing a common theme here....and that makes my heart happy!

Time is whats important ! Your time .Not where you go or what you do .Make the time spent memorable .

There are millions of people who would love to learn your secret! I don't see this as a problem, really. Unless you're so obsessive to the point it overshadows everything? But, otherwise, is sounds like a sound way to live.

You should think about teaching classes, then you could make some extra vacation money

For the longer trip, is it possible to schedule it with another family, and help cut the costs?

Yep, if only my credit rating showed it! Divorce and ex's with crappy payment history on the stuff he supposedly took with him (with my name still attached) sunk it into the ground. But this too I will change over time. I had a girlfriend that used to laugh at me for saying I couldn't go places because I had bills to pay. She's sunk herself into a big black hole with her new house while I live in my modest lil' shack with the ability to meet my needs (most of the time!). I wouldn't trade that for anything.

That's actually a good idea. Lots of fun places you can go and rent houses, cabins, etc. Split the cost of the house and food and it can make what was once unaffordable, affordable.

I was trying to talk my family into renting our beach house with us but none could make it this year. I think next year, though, we're keeping that option open.