Vicky

When United changed, for the second time, my flights to Venice, they were unsalvagable. Vayama received approval from United for a full refund, but I must wait for it to be credited. at first I began researching new places I might like to visit instead of returning to one I had already visited. Vienna and Zermatt were on the list. Alas, I decided that since I already spent $2600 on trips this year, that I should forgo this one in my goal of 'being in the black' and plans to redo the kitchen in preparation for putting it on the market. Sadly I wrote to Locanca Orseolo that I would not be coming in December. Although I call up VISa everyday to see if the refund has been credited, I was warned it could take one to two billing cycles.
Locanda was SO very warm and gracious that it breaks my heart not to have that experience. But I am being prudent and practical. Not much fun, in my opinion. Anyone else rethinking travel plans. I am not one to think the sky is falling, but I AM trying to be fiscally responsible. I HAVE GIVEN UP RECREATIONAL SHOPPING!!!! Joined a carpool, do online banking, cancelled my unlisted number, and conveterd my student loan (graduate school ) to auto deducation which shaved it down to 2.2%. Guess i just wanted to vent and see if others are changing their spending habits

nytraveler

Nothing. We've always lived well within our income.

But then I must admit I have NEVER been a proponent of recreational shopping. Frankly, shopping bores me to tears - and the wasted time is much more important than the wasted money.

november_moon

I know it is tough to make changes like this, but I wanted to congratulate you on your efforts. I think the key to financial success is mindful spending.

Cancelling the unlisted number is one of those things - if you weren't really benefiting from it, then why spend the money, right? Bringing your student loan interest rate down is another great thing. All the little bits add up tremendously.

I haven't changed my spending lately, but we did that sort of overhaul several years ago when we started saving for a house - cut out all the unncesary things and then only added back the things we really did want to spend money on rather than spending money by default.

Challiman

Sorry about your change of plans, this whole economic mess is making us all a little crabby (see nytraveler's post - LOL).
We have travel plans for October which we are not cancelling, largely because we're using FF miles and reward points for flights and hotels, as we are worried those programs could end or drastically change and make them much harder to use. Already the "free" FF miles cost us over $300. to book. We really didn't want to lose those points.
I think each of us has to do what we feel comfortable with. If we hadn't made these plans months ago I'm not sure we'd be going, but I don't think life can stop on something that may never happen. We flew right after 9/11 and others thought we were crazy.
As for recreational shopping, good or bad, most people have something they spend money on, a bigger house, living in an expensive city, cars, hobbies, travel, so who is to judge about that being the thing to do. I love "shopping" but most of the time I window shop, still like doing it and enjoy being out with friends and seeing what's new.
So, vent away and maybe the next trip won't be under these trying circumstances.

LoveItaly

Hi Vicky, well I sure have been prudent regarding my finances for quite some time as I suspected there was going to be a "problem" at some point. Wonder why the "smart people" didn't.

As much as I would love to be in Italy right now I am relieved that I did not plan the trip earlier in the year as though I am all right financially I just would not want to be spending that type of money at this time. And in that I had to have a house I own reroofed and a fence built..well that was "ciao" vacation money.

I am sorry you are not going to Venice but I salute you for what seems a good decision.

FainaAgain

I put all bills that I could on credit card, and try to charge anything I can - to earn more points. Of course I'm paying off the balance every month, so no interest.

I don't know what else to cut as living in the city with good public transport we don't have a car.

Already have free coffee at home or work instead of Starbucks. Bring my own lunch - a salad with dinner leftovers.

Shopping: if you want to buy something, leave it till next day. If you still want it tomorrow, buy it. If not, you don't need it.

Food shopping: check sales, and if something can be kept on shelf or in freezer, stock up. Detergent, bread, meat - all that you use every day or frequently.

Jayne11159

Vicky,

I feel your pain. We have two kids in college and a house we can't sell! That said, I'm using my points next month to visit my daughter who's studying abroad in Spain. My sister is going with me so we'll split expenses, got some great rates on hotels (77 euro in Valencia), we won't be splurging on any expensive meals and our pictures will be our travel keepsakes. We wouldn't be going if DH weren't already there, and DH wouldn't be there if we'd had a crystal ball!!!

Jayne11159

PS--I don't fly United anymore--the final straw was when they cancelled a leg on my daughter's flight to Spain and wanted her to spend the night in Newark.

rogeruktm

I totally agree with nytraveler. We have always lived below our income, allowing for no bills except for house payments which we laid off early by making double payments.

Get in the habit of paying off debt then saving 20-30% of your net pay and you soon will have lots of shopping money.

ElendilPickle

We, too, have always lived within our income. We don't use credit cards unless we already have the money on hand to pay for what we charge, and we paid off our mortgage two years ago. We don't have cell phones or cable or high-speed internet or any of that stuff because it doesn't fit in our budget.

Vicky, it sounds like you're taking some great steps to manage your finances. One thing I would do now, if I was in your shoes, is take the money that you were using for your unlisted number, plus the extra you're saving on your student loan interest, and put it toward that loan principal every month. You'll pay it off that much faster!

Lee Ann

greg

I still travel but at reduced frequencies.

The United case mentioned demonstrates an additional consideration of travel - the whims of the carriers. Even before the recent fuel price increases, I had more problems with United than any other airlines in monkeying around my itineraries to move me to lousy routes while keeping the premium ticket prices I paid in order to get more desirable flights.

On the side note, my friends are now rather puzzled that I can still travel to Europe. The way I see it that when my friends were investing in real estates and buying gas guzzling cars during go-go years, I stayed away from them and continued to travel. At that time, my friends were rather incredulous that I was into neither the real estate nor the big cars. Of course I didn't expect the magnitude of crisis that hit both markets. What I learned from the recent events was to stay the course with my own objectives and not swayed by the whims of the market or the friends. The market and my friends have their own priorities.

Carrybean

This year was the first year since 1991 that I haven't gone to London. Just didn't think it was worth it with the exchange rate as it was among other things.

However, I got enough miles to go next May First Class on miles with fees only costing me $199.20 so even though it might be my last trip there I'll be going in style.

marty

We are still trying to make our plan to go to Spain in NOvember. We are the poster children for frugality, but we do travel out of the country sometimes three times a year. I am just afraid if we don't go now, things may get so bad that we may not be able to because of things beyond any of our controls.

Hagan

We've put all thoughts of future travel on hold, darn it. With the dollar so weak and everything so shaky, we feel we should continue to sock away every spare dollar we can.
Hey, maybe a sock is the best place to put our money right now!

LoveItaly

Using extra money to pay off a mortgage quicker is a good idea. I do not have a mortgage. I have had always paid cash for any vehicle I have purchased. And like Faina I put all expenses on my FF credit card and pay the statement in full in each month. And I have never paid an annual fee for a credit card in my life.

Now..I just want to say that paying off a mortgage is a good idea IF one has at least in ready cash the total of what is needed for six months expenses. That is what I have always had and it has worked out quite well for me. Just a thought for you Vicky.

bozama

Priorities.
We don't shop for fun, so we save money for stuff we consider fun.
Travel.
We don't buy new furniture or redecorate,, just to modernize, we like our stuff, and its not broke, so why buy new stuff.
Cars are kept for many years, and we NEVER buy new,, I think driving off a lot and losing 10,000 in depreaciation is sad,, just to have a new car. My car is a 2006, which I got last year.
We are not paying for our kids college educations. We told them to get jobs and save money, and that they can live at home rent free ( we live in a university town) ,, or they can get scholarships,, they also each have a small ( enough for first year only) inheritance from my mom. We will help them as need arises, but we feel no obligation to finace them into their 20's like some people do..
Our eldest elected to not continue his education beyond high school,, he will pay rent when he turns 18,, next month.
We paid off our mortgage years ago.
We do not accrue CC debt.

We love to travel, and are doing more as time goes by,, we are in our late forties and are just now enjoying some more expensive type trips. When our kids were younger we bought a 2nd hand RV and camped for vacations. They did get a trip to Hawaii, and a cruise, but as a rule we have kept family vacations reasonable.

I had a trip this summer to Europe that cost me way too much,,It was my 12 yr olds first trip to Europe. I paid 1.63 for a Euro.. now that hurt, but the trip was priceless. You only live once.

Vicky,, I am not sure of your age bracket,( you still have a student loan so I assume you are not too old,LOL) .. but when I was young and broke I still took a great trip with a friend, almost 3 months. We hostelled, stayed in cheap hotels etc, and had a gas. Priceless memories. Friend died suddenly 3 yrs later, I have never regretted spending that money on travel.

There was a " travel dry period" for us,, buying 1st house, having babies, etc,, so almost 10 yrs with nothing but long weekends here and there.

Be smart now, and later you can travel more, but, yes, take at least one good trip now before kids and houses and all that stuff.

bozama

ps you have chosen a few rather expensive destinations,, why not try Greece ,, cheaper and wonderful too!

MomDDTravel

Vicky - Me... I canceled a large trip with dd to Europe - would be leaving..sob...tomorrow. deep sigh.

I am still traveling and still taking her on a trip but nothing like the expense planned.

Like Faina we put EVERYTHING on our Amex or Citi aa card - I am a point junkie... the trip I am taking dd on includes a lot of "free" hotels, and the airfare was 80.00 bucks total and we are flying first class

We are still going to Paris in December...the apartment and airfare is paid for and I have a large sum of Euros so off we go! I hope I can enjoy it without too much stress.

Proenza_Preschooler

I, The Great and Powerful Thingorjus, am going to Paris in November and--get this you are going to faint--I am staying in a hotel in the 5th for 89 euros a night!!!!!!!!!

I can't imagine not being at the Crillon, but I am determined to be able to be a budget traveller for this trip to prove to my husband that I am not a spoiled brat.

I even promised not to eat at Violon d'Ingres or Taillevent!! I am going to order the plat du jour at reasonablly priced boites (even if it kills me and my Ferragamo loafers stick to the floor).

I am allowed to go to Colette, but I can't buy anything over 20 euros.

I will get drunk on Vin de Pays.

(If this keeps up I will have to put a plastic bag over my husband's head whilst he is sleeping.)

Thin

Weekender

Thin:

I shall look for your tattered remains when I am there in December.....