Don't feel bad for your post, many regulars have done similar (late night posts that we may or may not wish would continue!). Can't imagine the dollar will change much within any one year period, but economics are not my forte either. This is simply a kind wish that you are able go on your trip to the UK and have a great time.

Here are the best answers that any human can give to the OP's original questions:

1) Yes, the dollar will rise again. After that, it will drop again. Or maybe it will rise some more.
2) Yes, there is hope for the dollar.
3) Yes, it could get worse. After that, it will rise again. Or maybe it will drop some more.

Ok, I am NOT going to go into it for the 100th time WHY I WANT TO GO TO ENGLAND. - I mean no disrespect to anyone, but it is becoming so very apparent who bothers to read people's comments and who doesn't.
And how many times do I have to explain that I KNOW that no one can predict my question...I have explained myself over and over again.

Thank you Suze

I just don't think I can post anymore on this thread... again, I hope people understand - but some of these comments are getting on my last nerve. I am tired of having to say the same things over and over ... and I can't for the life of me figure out why I even care if I explain myself or not. If people think I'm weird or not... :rolleyes @ myself"

This is my final thought though: I always thought it was good manners to read a thread before you comment ... or at least skim the ones that are a little long.

Gosh, From,

A simple "Thank you for your responses" would have been sufficient.

I remember travelling in the 80s when the dollar was incredibly strong in Europe, and I remember travelling in the early 90s when the dollar became incredibly weak, and I remember travelling in the late 90s when the dollar was incredibly strong, and I remember travelling in 2003 when the dollar was incredibly weak.
I'd say I'm even when you average it all.

From Atlanta, Many of us have the same worry and we will still go. We don't take any trips in the US in order to go to Europe. I hope you will be well and go and have a wonderful time.

I still remember the good old days, when I lived in Frankfurt for awhile..

One dollar= 4 Marks..

These are remembrances of a golden time that does not exist anymore..

However, I am still going to Europe, despite that I probably will end up eating more baguettes for Lunch..

Ira, Gosh if you would have read the 6 posts I wrote on here thanking everyone you wouldn't have said that.

This is getting old.

Ok, that last remark of mine was uncalled for. Sorry.

Mmmm baguettes for lunch. That isn't so bad. They do have really good "supermarkets" in England. I never did mind bread and cheese ... and what is that awesome sandwich chain that is in every train station? I still remember a brie and tomatoe sandwich to die for.

Uh-oh. Looks like I broke my promise not to post on this thread anymore. Can't help it, this whole message board is so addicting!

Thanks you everyone who has sent me a kind email. You guys rock!!

You're welcome, From.

I, too, have no sense for economics and what the dollar might do. But my best tactics are to manage the expenses I can control. One reason I like fodors.com is that I've found so many cost-cutting pieces of advice pertaining to train fare, lodging, etc. Even avoiding that 3% foreign fee on my Visa card made me happy! I never would have even known about that if I hadn't read it on this site-- and 3% of all my travel bills for the last trip to Europe would have added up to about $200, since I used the credit card for meals, lodging, trains, etc. So you might ask your credit card company about that fee. I think I'd read that MBNA doesn't charge it, and my credit union didn't charge it, either. So, since you have till next May, don't worry about the exchange rate, which you can't affect anyway. Just manage all the budget pieces you can, and you'll do fine.

From Atlanta- I understand how one, for whatever reasons, just HAS to go to a certain place. For you it's London, and I'm a bit more optimistic than you- I just got back from London a couple of weeks ago, and you CAN eat cheaply-certainly less than US12 for lunch! (I was there on business invitation, so I was lucky, I got taken out a lot, however, afterwards, I was on my own!)

Like I said, the area around the So. Ken tube stop particularly, is full of relatively inexpensive Italian and other ethnic restaurants, some with early bird specials for dinner, that run the equivalent of US 12 on up. And as for lunch, well, my favorite lunch in London is a vegetable samosa or a nice fresh cut cheese and pickle sandwich (can't beat the fresh sandwiches in the U.K., in my opinion) the sandwiches run about 3.40 or so, maybe a bit more- and a diet coke and that does NOT equal $12. There are also cafes that have a nice variety of salads where what you get is weighed and it's quite reasonable-for London-
5-6GBP or so. (I just did this, so I know!) So as far as the food, FromA, I think you can do okay there, if you do your research, and of course, you already know the area so right there you're ahead of the game.

THANKS Spygirl. Maybe you can email me and give me some more tips. (If you feel like it)

In general terms, low interest rates decrease the value of a currency so the historically low rates have been very bad for the U.S. Dollar. This was done by the Administration intentionally though, in order to boost exports and give our economy a shot in the arm - which it seems to have done.

Now that rates have started rising, the dollar will probably steady and will probably rise if interest rates keep rising.

The weakness in the dollar is due to the Bush administration's deliberate policy to encourage exports. It is also due to a lack of confidence in the US economy. The bottom line is that Bush is attempting to pay for the war in Iraq with tax cuts.

Reasonable minds would tell you that that is illogical. What will happen is that the Bureau of Engraving is going to print money to pay for the war--which means inflation. The weakness in the dollar is by product of foreigners anticipating the inflation. It is coming but no one can say when. When it does come, you will see mega inflation. And the same people who voted for Bush will be the first ones to complain.

The interesting thing is that Bush's policy to encourage exports has not resulted in a lot of exports. Look at the recent close of the Dow Jones below 10,000. That is due to a lack of confidence in the economy. The bottom line is that, except for high tech, the US does not manufacture much anymore.

The real mystery to me is the relative strength of the European economies when they do not manufacture much either. The only explanation I can come up with is the Iraq war financial drain.

I did take a few college courses in economics (before the half crazed Reagan/Bush economics), but I am certainly not an expert. Listening to some of the "experts" talk on TV and in the papers, however, I wonder why I am not one.

I do look for a rise in the dollar if Bush is not reelected as he is well liked nowhere outside the US.

And, by the way, the extra cost to people who travel to Europe from a weak dollar is not going to be a large concern with either Bush or Keary. If you cannot afford Europe at present, you can always see some of the wonderful things there are to see right here in North America. I just spent a very nice 5 days in a sea kayak class near Chincoteague on the Delmarva Peninsula. It was rock bottom cost and I drove over there. I had a great time and it was only a 3 1/2 hours from where I live. I have gone to Europe on expensive trips, I have stayed in North America on cheap trips and I never have had a bad time when I take a few days off and try something new and different.

Bottom line to answer the first poster's question: The dollar will rise but when and how high no one can say. Bring extra credit cards and make sure you leave enough in your checking account when you have to hit the ATM and you will be OK. This is not, however, the time to make major discretionary purchases in Europe.

NONSENSE

FromAtlanta, I think you used admirable restraint in your 12:43 reply. I agree with you that many posters are so intent upon giving a reply they forget the question.

If I go into Best Buy to buy the latest Joe Lovano CD, I don't need to be told I should buy a microwave instead because they are very cheap.

But I digress. Hope the following helps.

The Wall Street Journal does a semiannual survey of economists asking for their predictions. In January they predicted an average value for the Euro of $1.23. The actual on June 30 was $1.22. The average printed on July 2 of the 54 economists into 2005 are for $1.20 - a small change. The range is $0.99 to $1.34. While there isn't an exact correlation between the three currencies, I would make my plans expecting no significant change in the British Pound from today's value.

By the way, some of us can remember when the British pound was close to $5.00.

I surely hope so! Working in auto-industry, I know that American mass-production manufacturing is progressing rapidly toward the Japanese lean manufacturing; hoping to reduce cost, increase efficiency, and bring in more profits.

I am still optimistic for the long term improvement of our economy in general. Although it also worries me how American companies are sending their manufacturing work overseas (China, Mexico) in attempt to reduce cost here in the States for a short term profit gain.

If you're travelling to London it is not a particularly cheap city but excellent budget accomodation can be found and you can eat well without spending a fortune.

There are several Hotel chains (Travelodge, Travel Inn, Premier Lodge) that have fixed rates, are very good value for money and are often a lot safer bet than more expensive "individual" hotels. They are no frills - but you get a good sized room, bathroom, modern decor, TV and most importantly I've always found them to be clean. There is usually a cheap pub / restaurant attached where you can get a full breakfast for about £6. Expect to pay about £60-£70 a night for a room.

Restaurants - avoid the West End rip off joints, there are hundreds of inexpensive restaurants just a short way off the main tourist centres. Many offer good value set meals particularly at Lunch and between 5-7. If Fish and Chips is your thing then there are plenty of these about. For a Take Away (The best way to do it) expect to pay about £4. If you like a Curry - go to Brick Lane and you can get an excellent meal (the works)for about £10. Beer is about £2.50 a pint, but look out for offers. Most pub chains (JD Weatherspoons is a good example) offer great bargains from time to time (all drinks £1.50 till 7pm etc). Lots of local cafe's do excellent meals (breakfast, lunch or dinner) for about £4

Sightseeing - The majority of the major musuems are now free of charge. You will have to pay extra to go into certain temporary exhibits - but these you only account for about 10% of the musuem, so can be easilly avoided. An all day tube & buss pass is very good value for money - but if you are disabled you may wish to enquire which of the tube stations has disabled access - not all do!