I went on vacation with my family for 2 weeks (planned and purchased tickets months ago for maximum savings).
I spent way more than budget on little things, but forgot when I was planning that my sister has 6 kids and a grand-daughter and I kept buying little meals and snacks. I should have had a bigger budget to start with and its been 7 years since I was last there and about 10 years since my last vacation, so it was sort of a wild spend-thrift fling. I had budgeted around $300, and I spent $800.
When I rate my spending on a 1 - 10 for satisfaction scale, I feel everything was a joyous 10. I purchased cute little gifts for Christmas presents later in the year, little rememberances for friends, toys for nieces and a hat for the nephew, a wool jacket for one niece, books, and really expensive but good fudge.
And there was a difference now, because I kept a constant running tab, and knew at all times what I had spent, and how much over budget I was.
So even though I went over my budget, I felt like I had the controls to make the decision and know the price, and to realize I had just not made a good budget estimate in the first place.
Being with family was so good. Seeing how the kids have grown was fabulous.
Vacation Spending
September 8th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
September 9th, 2009 at 12:25 pm 1252499142
September 18th, 2009 at 04:54 pm 1253292875
Jerry
October 3rd, 2009 at 03:59 pm 1254585591