In a panic!! My husband says that if the dollar declines further, NO LOnDON!!! The pound is worth a whopping 1.95 I cant get over it!!!
Dec 4th, 2004, 06:39 AM
#61
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>My husband and I have a relationship that is pretty much equitable but when it comes to finances I am a bit more impulsive and he has to reign me in a bit. </i>
For me, that comment by praline pretty much negates a lot of the comments that have been made about her, the hubby and the relationship. Her comment indicates that she understands the dynamics of their relationship as well as each person's strengths and weaknesses.
Regarding the comments about hubby who is willing to take a trip when the exchange rate is X but unwilling when it is 5% more expensive, I disagree with most of those comments. We don't know the context. Possibly he felt that the cost was already a stretch at the original exchange rate. Possibly he has legitimate concerns about the viability of the budget for whatever reason, causing him to wonder if their budget has a lot of risk of being inaccurate. There are a lot of "ifs" that we don't know.
When deciding whether to spend money, there really is a point at which it is a prudent decision not to spend it. At every one of those points where each of us draws that fine line, is it prudent to take a trip just because an extra 1%, 2% or 5% really doesn't matter? No, that's not necessarily prudent financial planning.
Considering that praline acknowledged that she tends to be a bit more impulsive and that she relies on hubby to reign her in occasionally, I especially respect that hubby might feel that it is his responsibility to everyone in his family that if he is to err, he should err on the conservative side.
I'm equally respectful of praline's disappointment in the prospect of having to postpone the trip, especially since she particularly appreciates English history and literature and has been looking forward to it for two years.
My best wish is that praline and hubby look back several years from now and feel good about the decision they make about this trip, whatever that decision is.
For me, that comment by praline pretty much negates a lot of the comments that have been made about her, the hubby and the relationship. Her comment indicates that she understands the dynamics of their relationship as well as each person's strengths and weaknesses.
Regarding the comments about hubby who is willing to take a trip when the exchange rate is X but unwilling when it is 5% more expensive, I disagree with most of those comments. We don't know the context. Possibly he felt that the cost was already a stretch at the original exchange rate. Possibly he has legitimate concerns about the viability of the budget for whatever reason, causing him to wonder if their budget has a lot of risk of being inaccurate. There are a lot of "ifs" that we don't know.
When deciding whether to spend money, there really is a point at which it is a prudent decision not to spend it. At every one of those points where each of us draws that fine line, is it prudent to take a trip just because an extra 1%, 2% or 5% really doesn't matter? No, that's not necessarily prudent financial planning.
Considering that praline acknowledged that she tends to be a bit more impulsive and that she relies on hubby to reign her in occasionally, I especially respect that hubby might feel that it is his responsibility to everyone in his family that if he is to err, he should err on the conservative side.
I'm equally respectful of praline's disappointment in the prospect of having to postpone the trip, especially since she particularly appreciates English history and literature and has been looking forward to it for two years.
My best wish is that praline and hubby look back several years from now and feel good about the decision they make about this trip, whatever that decision is.
Dec 4th, 2004, 06:51 AM
#63
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
What am I thinking, yes, you are right I guess this administration does want a weak dollar. But if it continues to decline against the Euro, lets say, it is possible that the European Union might intervene. Not the Us. I wish!
Dec 4th, 2004, 07:03 AM
#64
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,323
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, the dollar is worthless now. No need to agonize and dispair any longer. The fat lady has sung.
Best to just bundle your worthless dollars up and send them to me for an IRS-approved disposal. Don't try tis at home as there are massive government rules and regulations pertaining to this subject.
This is a free service that I'm doing out of the goodness of my heart. In extreme cases, I will also pay for your mailing fees.
Send serious and large offers only to: [email protected]
For a 25E fee, I will send you the dollar ashes in a made in the USA urn.
For 100E, I will scatter them all over europe.
Best to just bundle your worthless dollars up and send them to me for an IRS-approved disposal. Don't try tis at home as there are massive government rules and regulations pertaining to this subject.
This is a free service that I'm doing out of the goodness of my heart. In extreme cases, I will also pay for your mailing fees.
Send serious and large offers only to: [email protected]
For a 25E fee, I will send you the dollar ashes in a made in the USA urn.
For 100E, I will scatter them all over europe.
Dec 4th, 2004, 07:11 AM
#65
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,793
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dec 4th, 2004, 07:55 AM
#66
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
praline, how about convincing your husband that it's only going to get worse. So going to London now will be cheaper than waiting for the dollar to fall even more.
The two most expensive elements of your trip (airfare and hotel) can be paid for in US dollars. Airfares purchased in the US don't take into account the exchange rate and if you book your hotel through Priceline, you pay in US dollars. So in reality, it's just your food, local transportation and attraction admissions that you'll be converting $'s to £'s.
The two most expensive elements of your trip (airfare and hotel) can be paid for in US dollars. Airfares purchased in the US don't take into account the exchange rate and if you book your hotel through Priceline, you pay in US dollars. So in reality, it's just your food, local transportation and attraction admissions that you'll be converting $'s to £'s.
Dec 4th, 2004, 08:19 AM
#68
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kayb, the exchange rate affects a traveler's cost of the hotel regardless of whether it is paid for in dollars or the local currency. If the exchange rate was different, the Priceline cost in dollars would also be different.
Dec 4th, 2004, 08:22 AM
#69
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 186
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You never know what life has in store for you. I say go and pay the extra. If you don't go you may regret it. Life is too short to worry about a few dollars either way. Enjoy the trip and later, the memories.
Dec 4th, 2004, 08:31 AM
#70
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,271
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>"Kayb, the exchange rate affects a traveler's cost of the hotel regardless of whether it is paid for in dollars or the local currency. If the exchange rate was different, the Priceline cost in dollars would also be different."</i>
To an extent. But I don't think if the dollar was suddenly was on par with the pound, the price of my plane ticket or hotel room would be half of what it currenty is.
To an extent. But I don't think if the dollar was suddenly was on par with the pound, the price of my plane ticket or hotel room would be half of what it currenty is.
Dec 4th, 2004, 09:00 AM
#71
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 2,399
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have a great time praline.
Housesitting will definitely give you a different experience than if you'd stayed in hotels! And it will definitely make a difference on the total price. Plus you'll get to experience Manchester and its environs as well as London.
Nice that there's a happy ending here.
Housesitting will definitely give you a different experience than if you'd stayed in hotels! And it will definitely make a difference on the total price. Plus you'll get to experience Manchester and its environs as well as London.
Nice that there's a happy ending here.
Dec 4th, 2004, 10:44 AM
#72
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The first time we went to London, my son was 16. He wanted to visit the wax museum. I wanted to go to the British Museum to take another look at the Elgin Marbles. He did not want to go with me; I did not want to go with him. After a protracted discussion over age, maturity, growing up, independence, intelligence, etc., I gave in and let Dave go alone on the Circle line from the Kensington High Street Station. I made sure he had enough money for his entry ticket and his return tube fare.
Well, several years after the fact, he told me what he did after he got inside the Wax Museum. He found a slot machine in the museum and gambled all of his money away. Then he begged pennies off of people until he had enough to ride back to the hotel.
I suppose he could have walked, but he did not know the way.
So that is one ploy. If you run out of money, send the children out to beg.
In my son's case, he learned the value of money and the risks involved in not spending it wisely. It was a tough lesson, but he learned from it. (His mother was not aware of it either, or she would have really put the clamps on him.)
My wife, Dave's mother, was along, too, but she was elsewhere visiting something neither of the guys had much interest in seeing, and vice versa!
Well, several years after the fact, he told me what he did after he got inside the Wax Museum. He found a slot machine in the museum and gambled all of his money away. Then he begged pennies off of people until he had enough to ride back to the hotel.
I suppose he could have walked, but he did not know the way.
So that is one ploy. If you run out of money, send the children out to beg.
In my son's case, he learned the value of money and the risks involved in not spending it wisely. It was a tough lesson, but he learned from it. (His mother was not aware of it either, or she would have really put the clamps on him.)
My wife, Dave's mother, was along, too, but she was elsewhere visiting something neither of the guys had much interest in seeing, and vice versa!
Dec 4th, 2004, 11:35 AM
#74
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,873
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"If you buy your £ at $1.95, what do you care what happens to the rate?"
well for one thing, you can't buy £ for $1.95 in the states. Count on at least an extra 5¢ to 10¢ per pound to buy currency Stateside.
Praline: the flat sitting will be great fun. Find out exactly where the flats is (in the central city, in a nearby development, or in a village outside of town) and we can give you ideas for things to do in the immediate area. Plus that will be a terrific base for day trips to North Wales, Chester, the Peaks/Chatsworth, even the Lake District.
well for one thing, you can't buy £ for $1.95 in the states. Count on at least an extra 5¢ to 10¢ per pound to buy currency Stateside.
Praline: the flat sitting will be great fun. Find out exactly where the flats is (in the central city, in a nearby development, or in a village outside of town) and we can give you ideas for things to do in the immediate area. Plus that will be a terrific base for day trips to North Wales, Chester, the Peaks/Chatsworth, even the Lake District.
Dec 4th, 2004, 11:40 AM
#76
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 19,000
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"When anyone tells you something is impossible, all they're <i>really</i> telling you is that <u>they</u> don't know how to do it."
If you need currency at bank rates, it is commonly available from stock brokerage houses having an international presence. My brokerage doesn't even charge a service fee, because of the size of my account.
If you need currency at bank rates, it is commonly available from stock brokerage houses having an international presence. My brokerage doesn't even charge a service fee, because of the size of my account.
Dec 4th, 2004, 12:20 PM
#77
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Consider what it will cost when / if the rate gets to $3.00 a Pound. That you went when it was only $2.00 will be a real bargain and you'll feel so smug. On an even brighter side, consider how much more we export when their money can buy more of our goods. If your husband is in manufacturing and exports goods he knows what a great deal it is for the U.S. to have a less strong dollar.
Point of interest: On 4/07/1988 I was in the UK and the exchange rate was $2.00 per pound. 16 years later it's the same thing. Go and have fun!
Point of interest: On 4/07/1988 I was in the UK and the exchange rate was $2.00 per pound. 16 years later it's the same thing. Go and have fun!
Dec 4th, 2004, 01:02 PM
#79
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Praline.
>More like 2.15 if I buy pounds here. <
I strongly urge you to bring no more than about $100 worth of GBP with you.
Get what cash you need at ATMs.
Find out from your bank what they charge for "out of network" transactions, and if they add any fees for foreign currency transactions.
My bank charges 75 cents per transaction and no additional fees.
>More like 2.15 if I buy pounds here. <
I strongly urge you to bring no more than about $100 worth of GBP with you.
Get what cash you need at ATMs.
Find out from your bank what they charge for "out of network" transactions, and if they add any fees for foreign currency transactions.
My bank charges 75 cents per transaction and no additional fees.
Dec 4th, 2004, 02:15 PM
#80
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ira--but for each of us there is still a limit. The line is crossed at some point. Yes, I guess we could cut airfare and build a raft to try to cross the Atlantic to Europe, but truly, at some point, the cost is just too high.
