Traveler863

praline,
Just don't tell him the prices are high to start with and exchange rate makes it much worse....I found UK prices very high and that was two years ago..good luck to you.

LoveItaly

Oh good grief, what is that saying about a bad penny???

praline

Oh dear! I took the advice of one of a women here on the forum and stood up to my husband. I said that it isnt fair for him to just make the decision whether to go or nor. I think that it might have back fired and now he is threatening not to go again! I don't see her post. I think the name was Nancy Ann or Nancy Ellen. Thanks a lot, lady.

praline

I am sorry! I feel like a babbling fool here. I did not even take the time to proof read what I wrote in my last post. That women seemed to have a point to what she was saying. But what was I thinking???? Its been an emotional rollercoaster for me all day! I've really taken all which you have suggested to heart and I guess I took some really bad advice from Nancy Ellen. Its not her fault! I should have kept my mouth shut! Sorry to burden you all, its just that I dont have anyone else to talk about this problem that I have with my husband!

nytraveler

Well, I think the answer is simple - just go on one of those spouse trading "reality" shows and trade husbands with Nancy Ann - or Suzie Q - or whoever.

You'll have one easy to deal wth for the trip to London - and she can beat yours into submission while you're gone.

39Steps

LOL at this thread. She's married to a cheapskate control freak, and she's trying to convince him to go to London - one of Europe's most expensive cities. My guess is that you probably have separate checking accounts. At least the house-sitting option saved the day and you get to go anyway. Of course, he still won't want to spend any money once you're there, but you're use to that. Good Luck.

AuntNell

Dear Praline:
Advice can only be taken when you are ready to take it and act on it with conviction. Since you are generally not confrontational, it may be that you are better off "playing it cool" for a while and I think your hubby will "come around" --what do you think?

39Steps

nytraveler - clever

39Steps

Oops, I see now that the trip may be off. Guess housesitting was too expensive as well, might have to pay for the utilites. Go without that bum, you'll have a much better time.

praline

Dear Aunt Nell or Nancy,
I am sorry that I was rude to you. If that was you who told me to stand up to my husband. He is a very kind and thoughtful man. He works hard in order to provides for his family. I can't be disrespectful to this man and even though he may be severe with finances. As a good wife, I just cannot follow your advice. I am sure that you meant well but it hasn't helped my cause. Hopefully, I can persuade him to change his mind again. Thanks just the same.

Melissa5

Praline, don't despair...We took a family trip to Italy in June and the dollar compared to the euro wasn't so good in Italy either. But I learned in planning this trip that you can save a lot of money by researching and planning to stay in small towns instead of in the big popular cities...Small towns can be very charming. You can get some nice rooms in little B&Bs. Browse around in the bookstore travel section and you'll see what I mean.

If your husband really won't agree on London, how about Australia? I was just reading that the dollar is doing well compared to the Australian currency...

Or how about the Republic of Ireland?

Good luck!

praline

Thank you Melissa. Australia is a bit further than we'd like to go. If he dont go to England, maybe we could go to Bermuda as hubby suggseted this evening. I am such an Anglophile so this might be a nice substitute.
Aunt Nell, I guess I am a bit slow but were you suggesting "holding off" on my husband. Not letting him get frisky with me? I usually am not for playing those types of games. Well, you know I am so mad at him that I might consider that if that is what your were insinuating. Thank You!

SharonNRayMc

Hi Praline.... everyone of your posts is about this issue.

I'm afraid you have a problem bigger than maybe not getting to London for spring break. Many of us have offered good suggestions... here's mine from a few days ago in case you missed it.

<i>Author: SharonNRayMc
Date: 12/01/2004, 08:21 am
Message: Maybe your DH has already planned a trip which he is surprising you with at Christmas time...

Sometimes, there are things we just don't know. And, it's better if we don't fight or pressure too much. Remember, Santa Claus is watching!

Here's another angle...Have you thought of picking up a part-time job to build a vacation nest egg? Or cutting out something in your weekly budget to free up some extra cash? A money &quot;diet&quot; so to speak can really grow into a big pile over time!

-Sharon</i>

I highly suspect there is a very critical piece to this story we have not been let in on... A 2 1/2 % increase in the exchange rate is not a reason to skip the trip.

Then the whole house-sitting in Manchestor ... on again, off again... this is reading like a soap opera.
-Sharon

Suki

OK, is it just me or does praline seem to be having too much fun with us gullible Fodorites? First the trip is on,then it's off, then it's on, then, oh no, she stands up to her husband and it's off again. Boy, I hope this is a troll. To think it is real is kind of depressing.

praline

Sharon, the house sitting is still on as far as I know. He has to tell his co-worker Monday morning either way so there still is time. Im going to play it cool and say a lot of prayers at church tomorrow. Thank you.

praline

No Suki, this is anything but fun, believe me. Its been a rough day here and its only thanks to you nice people on Fodors that I have been able to put things into perspective. Thats it!

rockhopper7

Oh. Good. Grief.

praline and AuntNell are both trolls. Probably one and the same.

zzzzzzzz......

praline

No, Rockhopper, my situation is real and I wish it was quite different really. It would be nice if money was not a consideration but it just so happens that it is. Please don't be so quick to judge. I don't know Aunt Nell although her name sounds southern.

rockhopper7

Praline, In the remotest chance you're not a fraud, perhaps you should consider spending less time kvetching with your fodor's buddies and more time working the details of your trip with your family.

Report back.

MrAmazed

OK, Praline... Here is the only advice you should take. Turn OFF the computer and walk away! You should NOT take any advice of this magnitude from these people. You don't know them and they don't know you.

Y