I need a freaking holiday. And I just had one.
Mum, somehow, managed to save some money during her time here on earth. Not a lot, and how, on a pension, spoiling her grandkids absolutely rotten, she achieved this, is beyond my comprehension. I mean we (my husband and I) do alright, there are two of us working, we don’t have an out of control mortgage, yet we seem to struggle to save a single cent. We have the usual expenses of course that is associated with working for yourself, two cars, three kids (one that needs extra medical assistance) and just the everyday stuff like groceries. But I think, honestly, it may be of course, more than likely due to two factors. The husband has a penchant for all things Bunning’s and I have an affinity for buying stuff I rarely use. Except for my Tupperware Happy Chopper. That, my friends, is a blog post all of its own.
Anyway, back to Mum. She constantly told me, all through my adult life, that she would leave enough money for her funeral, much to my equally constant protests. But of course she did. And then some.
Just enough it seems for us to either pay off a credit card (obviously the most efficient and smartest move), put the money against the mortgage (equally good for the finances) pay the school fees for the year (smart and getting rid of one major bill) or go on a holiday. I’ll let that linger. Because clearly financially this is just a crap idea. We just had 4 weeks off at Christmas and we have whopper credit card bills. Smart people would pay off bills and hop to it.
Straight up: I’m not that smart.
I want a big fuck off holiday. And I want it to have a swim up pool-bar and kids club.
See it seems the last 6 months have left me spent. I used to hate that term. Spent. It's just so “I can’t believe it not’s butter” Fabio, Mills and Boon speak. But I digress.
From having my mother die from rapid moving cancer which to be honest, I don’t think I’ve actually sat down and thought about properly, to not having not one, but two sons in hospital with broken arms, then subsequent week spent in hospital with Sam and his infected pins in his arm, I am just, I don’t know, the best term I can come up with is, rooted.
So I have started googling in ernest family holidays. Bali is looking good. I know Bali well. My husband I going there no less than 7 times pre-kids. I know, I know, we could have gone around the world with that money, but honestly, it suited us. He liked to surf, I like to shop, we both like to eat and lie down a lot, and did I mention that it is CHEAP! Eat like a king for $10 a day. Sure, I would never venture outback into a kitchen in one of those joints, but I never got sick, if anything, I lost weight. Holy hell, what other holiday leaves you this satisfied and brings you back skinnier and more thankful for the fact that you live in the greatest country on earth?
Fiji is also looking promising price wise. I’ve heard the lovely ladies at the resort take your kids off your hands and you are lucky if you see them for more than 5 minutes a day, such is the fun of Kids Club. Not that I don’t want to see my kids, but geez, a day of snoozing on a recliner by the pool sounds like heaven. Just one day.
Sam has a special fascination with Lego. So Lego land has been bandied about. But to be honest, a second mortgage on the house would be required to spend a couple of weeks in the US of A. Although, to be honest, New York, is my ultimate destination. May have to wait awhile though.
There’s always the local (1-4hr drive) option. Sunshine Coast/Yamba. Equally lovely.
So now I am just in disarray. Where to go, what to do. If anything. I’m sure if Mum is looking down right now she is appalled at my modern debt. Her answer would more than likely be to cut that shit down (well not in those words). But then I reckon there would also be a side of her that wants me to relax and have a break. We’ve got a lifetime to work on the debt. The same can’t be said for my sanity.
Suggestions on your ultimate family holiday welcome. Keep in mind my pre-requisites of a swim up bar and kids club J
26 comments:
While paying off the credit card or boosting the mortgage payment might be sound financially, this is what your Mum left to you not to your debt. Looking at it realistically will you remember a fabulous holiday funded by her or that you paid the credit card off once... ? I say go for the holiday and make sure you enjoy it in memory of a wonderful woman :) and take lots of photos :)
Ideal destination - I can't help there, really haven't had many holidays and only two as an adult. That's a poor record so I think I'd suck at hedonism lol
Bali, Novotel Nusa Dua. Great for kids and families. Great prices and I can't say enough positive stuff about it. Book in April, someone fabulous I know is going at the same time. We could meet up!
yeah - agree - normally i would look stern and tell u to pay off credit card, but this is from yr mum.
Go for it, Bern, you've had a rotten time. I vote Bali :)
Know what? I reckon she'd want you to relax and have a break too...and you deserve your heaven on earth.
Go for it! I know you deserve it!! xx
I yearn for a family holiday. Big Time. Like you... a big fuck off one! Love that! We have never really holiday'ed with the kids to an exotic destination. We always taking the easy road and driving a few hours to our holiday spot. Which is ok. But not razzling is it!? Let us know what you decide on. Of all people Bern, you have had a seriously bad run and FUCKING DESERVE A GOOD HOLIDAY. GO FOR IT.
Go the holiday....and go Bali coz I sense that you love it. Bills are ALWAYS there. Holidays that fill your memory banks are priceless xx
A holiday!!! Vanuatu is a great place for kids and they have pool bars!! they have kids club they take your kids and they are very good with them! we stayed at Le Lagon, on the Lagoon its beautiful and relaxing with crystal clear water...the people are so friendly.. hence the reason it was voted the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH TO Live!
ive also been to Fiji and bali id choose Vanuatu if i was to go away again!
I haven't been to any of those locations but New York, but I think the beach destinations sound WAY better! Good luck with your choice! I agree, I think Mum would want you to relax and enjoy your family! Go for it!!
Honey - take door No. 3 - the HOLIDAY! You have bloody well earned it. Over and over again. Life is for LIVING!
We took the kids to Vanuatu last year which was fantastic. What a friendly bunch they are - and the best thing is that the flight is not so long you'll be pulling your hair out when you get there.
But friends of ours swear on Fiji, and like you say, the kids love the Kid's Club. (I've never been there. Been to Bali, but not for a loooong time.)
But whatever you do - enjoy. And post pics afterwards please. x
We're doing the 'drop everything and relax' holiday in June. The swim-up bar, kids club (will be great for our friends' kids, but our littlie will be too young for it, unless I can convince them she is 3, when she actually won't even be 2 yet?!), beach, pool... BLISS.
I highly recommend it. Even the lead up to it is exciting.
There will always be more debt and bills to pay. And sometimes being sensible is over-rated.
That's my take on it! Good luck with the decision!
I'm absolutely no use to you as I haven't been to Bali or Fiji (we did take the kids to Canada however, and I don't recommend that, particularly in winter)... but I enjoyed the vicarious thrill of watching someone else think about a holiday, so go for it! Give me more to read!
I have never been to Fiji or Vanuatu but i have seen ads at the travel agent where the kids fly and stay for free. Look into all of the options and see which is going to give the most bang for your buck. And have a FABULOUS time! You know you deserve it.
Take the holiday. When you look at the photos after you will think of your mum. You won't think of your mum everytime you get a credit card bill.
NZ is pretty special in Autumn.
I agree with Vicki - New Zealand is an amazing destination, especially with kids. And there must be some place there with a swim-up (heated!) pool...
Bern you need a break and need to look after you. You will be of no use to anyone especially your family, if you are not in a happy and healthy place. We love you and support you. Take a break with phil and the kidlets. You might never get another chance to spend this time as a family with no other interruptions again. The kids will remember it forever as well. Everything else can wait. Nadia XX
Go to Bali Bern, you and the family need it.
I'm with everyone else - you deserve a holiday. I think it will give you a chance to process everything that has happened - especially losing your mum. And you know we'll all be waiting to hear about it. :-)
Depending on it's size, the debt could pull you under, destroy your relationship and hang over everything you do.
What ever effect you get from a holiday, I promise, will be over a few weeks post holiday.
Pay off the debt and save what you would have spent on the holiday.
I've spent 10 years taking the "I really need this x now', I'll pay off that other thing later... never again.
Bern, if only I was adopted too, I would swear we had been separated at birth, such is the parallel existence we are leading. Maybe we're the same star sign at least?
In the last 6 months, my husband's father died, on the same day my son was hospitalised with severe asthma, with two more hospitalisations within 3 months, then after Christmas the same son broke his collarbone. In the midst of it all, hubby got 'promoted', using promoted in the sense of being given more responsibilty but less actual pay due to no longer being paid overtime or bonuses. Then, being the financial whiz that I am, I came across a share certificate in my name from a certain Bank I used to work for that I had, like, totally forgotten about. Windfall! ker-ching! I urge you to do as I did and give paying off the credit card all the consideration it deserves (that is to say, very little). Right after cashing that shit in, I'm going to plan a big fuck off holiday too. What could go wrong????But if you do it first and could report back on whether it was worth it, I would really appreciate it.It would save me a lot of trouble because given our dual track records, we won't be going Where Morleys Fear to Tread. (but I'm sure that won't happen, it'll be ace! Ace I tell you!)
I concur, you more then deserve a holiday and you know what, I think Yamba is great. You can drive there, it's gorgeous, the weather will still be great for the next few months and the pub is awesome. What more do you need ?
Ok this is a very boring accountant talking here ... take the holiday. Your sanity, memories of time spent with the kids and memories of your Mum all warrant a stupendous treat.
I agree with Vicki - New Zealand, its easy, spectactular and you could do mud spas in Rotorua or hot springs at Hanmer Springs (or both). The locals talk with such cute accents too (but don't rubbish their rugby teams).
While common sense suggests debt management, we have had the unfortunate situation of loosing two immediate members of our family prematurely - from that lesson we have learned not to wait until its too late to have adventures.
I say stick with Bali. That said, I've got a massive yen for something really exciting... But I am sure it won't come with a kids club attached.
Or, how about something in the Yucatan coast of Mexico? There are a heap of hotels there and I'd bet at least one has a swim up bar? Plus there's some interesting stuff to see too. If you like that sort of thing. Or I like the sound of Metropolitan Mum's holiday in St Lucia....
We recently holidayed at Samoa - free kids club and did an all-inclusive meal deal which made it very cheap. Highly recommend.
Or find a place a bit closer AND pay off some of those bills ... best of both worlds
Bern, I've never had a big fuck-off holiday, I suspect I might like it. But I do try to give the kids 'experiences' ... even if they are just weekends away. If it wasn't for stayz.com.au I think I'd go mad! We just spent a wonderful weekend in a cabin in the Barringtons (NSW) ... and apart from being beautiful, the boys reckon the best bit was feeding the wallabies from the verandah. One day I will have my big fuck-off holiday, but for now the occasional escape is mandatory.
Hey Bern,
As an ex travel agent I put in 5 votes for the big fuck off holiday!!! You definitely deserve it and the credit card bills will still be there but the memories are for a lifetime!
Bali is great, as are Fiji and Vanuatu - all relatively close - depends where you feel you will have the most FUN!
Enjoy!
Wxx
This is a very interesting blog and so i like to visit your blog again and again. Keep it up.
Alan
http://holidaydestinationinindia.blogspot.com
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