by Hope
We’ve had a rough couple of weeks including the car wreck from last week. Our budget has been tighter then normal with having to purchase replacement food and spend more to get the house on the market than anticipated. In fact, I’ve still got a couple of bills to pay from that. We are certainly not suffering, but additional stress has wreaked habit on my normally silver lining filled personality, and as a result, has affected the kids perspectives.
So my remedy…a vacation budget for all of us to see and contribute too! And here it is!
Our vacation fund.
We’ve decided our goal vacation is to backpack through Europe after taking a cruise ship to get over there. I know it will take a lot of pickle jars full, but with that lofty goal and a commitment from everyone to throw in their loose change…well, anything is possible right!
Hope is a resourceful and solutions-driven business manager who has spent nearly two decades helping clients streamline their operations and grow their businesses through project management, digital marketing, and tech expertise. Recently transitioning from her role as a single mom of five foster/adoptive children to an empty nester, Hope is navigating the emotional and practical challenges of redefining her life while maintaining her determination to regain financial control and eliminate debt.
Living in a cozy small town in northeast Georgia with her three dogs, Hope cherishes the serenity of the mountains over the bustle of the beach. Though her kids are now finding their footing in the world—pursuing education, careers, and independence—she remains deeply committed to supporting them in this next chapter, even as she faces the bittersweet tug of letting go.
Since joining the Blogging Away Debt community in 2015, Hope has candidly shared her journey of financial ups and downs. Now, with a renewed focus and a clear path ahead, she’s ready to tackle her finances with the same passion and perseverance that she’s brought to her life and career. Through her writing, she continues to inspire others to confront their own financial challenges and strive for a brighter future.
Any update on the contractor that quit? We’re you able to get your money refunded?
No, I have not been able to recuperate any of the money and it burns me to think about it.
Have you thought about filing in small claims court?
No, I haven’t. I think our world has become way to litigious and it would be a very last resort for me. And in this case, I think I need to take it as a life lesson and let it go, the anger, stress and regret could eat me up and ruin any other joy I might find in the situation.
I’m not sure about the cruise across the Atlantic, but I think after debt is paid off and an emergency fund is funded, this dream vacation could be a reality. And you know what? I think with focus and determination it could even be in your five year picture.
I like the vacation fund idea! How did the showing on the house go last week? Any feedback?
Great idea Hope! Just don’t get distracted or discouraged by the “Vacation Jar” and end up putting money in it instead of to your more important goals like paying off debt and saving for emergencies and retirement, etc. 🙂
Very true…for me, I just put loose change into it about once a week when I clean out my purse. For the kids, they have definitely been motivated by the idea of a “in our dreams” vacation.
I LOVE this!!! I am going to Hawaii next June and I think I will do something similar. In my case, I’m going to use it as motivation to bypass little treats…like when I really want to grab a special bakery item on sale, or get fast food – I’ll take the money and put it in the jar!
Hi Hope – I think it’s a great motivator to have something to look forward to besides the drudgery of debt and bill repayment. The change jar is a great idea and a visual reminder that there is life outside and beyond the burden of debt. You are in the midst of a “life happens” period but it will get better. Hopefully with the house on the market, getting settled into your new home and maybe even a sale of the house soon, life can get back to routine and there’s something to be said for routine (and comforting as well). You got this girl!!!
Ah, routine! Yes, I totally miss that, but slowly we are getting back to that place. And even though our routine is quite crazy, the routine of it all is comforting. Thank you for your encouragement!
I think it’s great that you all have found a motivation for a break! But, I can’t help but wonder whether it wouldn’t be better to find something more realistic in your timeline.
Maybe Europe without the cruise, or the cruise, without Europe. But combining an expensive transatlantic cruise with weeks of backpacking in Europe seems financially unfeasible to me for so many people at this point in your lives. Personally, I think part of the point of goals is to make them attainable, so I’d keep the idea, but scale back to a more realistic goal, lest all the kids be too disappointed if it doesn’t happen.
And if it does, all the better!
I guess my perspective is a bit different since 1) I don’t technically have to take off work to travel and 2) back packing through Europe can actually done pretty cheaply is every literally carries their own pack, you’re open to couch-surfing and hostels and you plan it.
And after seeing my grandparents and parents work so hard all their lives and then coming to their “retirement” years without the health to take advantage of some of these things, I would prefer to live a bit now while I am healthy enough to enjoy it, have the captive audience of my kids to enjoy it with….
I am not saying this is going to happy soon, especially with the main focus on debt pay off, permanent housing and then college plans. But I am saying we have a goal that we as a family are working towards…who knows how many pickle jars it will take, but I’m sure it will take enough that we have plenty of time to find the best deals.
I agree with the last comment – Europe and a cruise?? REALLY ?? I love following your story, Hope, especially since we also were foster parents and adopted through fostering. But it just seems as if you are trying to live a rich life , and setting the kids up for disappointment. We also have four kids and we just realized we could never do a family trip to Europe. Most of our trips were drives to visit family or friends.
Personally I’d want to put that kind of money in college funds, and have the goal be something much more reasonable.
In the end we were able to send all of our kids to Europe on college trips/study abroad. I don’t feel the least bit sad that they weren’t able to go earlier in their lives. And they have all managed to travel overseas after that.
Ann, I certainly appreciate where you are coming from. You are right I want a “rich” life…not necessarily in terms of money but definitely in experience. And you’ll see in my response to debthaven above why I want to do these things sooner rather than later.
I truly believe that anyone can achieve anything they put their mind too. Yes, there will be sacrifices, but I don’t see any reason why we as a family couldn’t make this trip is we all contribute, save and plan. The debt payoff comes first…but this trip, well, it’s definitely high on the want to do after the financial is in order.