Excited for you!

Planning is half the fun;)

Hope you have a joyful time, Debby - in the planning ... and in the execution of tbe plan.

Enjoy!

ole joyful

Sounds like a great trip.

You'll have such a good time! And you won't be in the hole when you come home. I can't understand people *financing* a *luxury* like an expensive vacation. Have they bought the advertising lie about 'deserving it'?

What fun Debby. Maybe you could start a post asking for suggestions of places to stay and things to do. I have seen others get ideas that way.

Just a suggestion because something similar worked for us. Rather than simply taking cash from your paychecks out each time is to set up a separate account somewhere that does not have a large required balance. We each had our own accounts at separate credit unions to spend as we wanted and a main account for day to day living. I used mine for travel. He used his for large gifts to his children. Taking cash out of the bank and stashing it some where will probably mean that by the time you are ready to go on a trip that money will be gone.

Edited to add that it is always wise to have some money available in a separate account from your significant other. You may have it as a Transfer on Death account so your significant other will receive it. As discussed in the thread where the Dear John letter was left some spouses/others will clear out a bank account and leave the spouse with little or no money.

Sounds wonderful. My sister and brother-in-law absolutely love it there :-) Hope you have a very enjoyable time.

This sounds like an exciting time! I hope you have a great trip.

Manifleur01, we're both pretty good at not dipping into the cash when it's for something we really want. It's just the way we've always done it. I do have another account (Tangerine), but it's a pain to wait for the money to "move" to your regular account. I don't have access to it with an ATM card at all, just online banking 100%. I use it strictly for savings. But for something like this, cash in hand. When we get enough for the trip, we'll pre-load the credit card and buy our tickets.

That does sound exciting! I hope you’re able to have the trip of your dreams. Phone cameras are ok, but I’d try to make sure you have a better camera when you go!!!

Debby I was not thinking as much of you and your husband but there are other people in your family. We both had money sent directly from our paychecks to our accounts so no need to wait for a transfer.

Have a nice vacation.

maifleur01, its just me and the other half living here. My kids would never take a dime from us. We've left money out in the open since they were little kids. They know not to take what isn't theirs. Also, Im 59, the other half is 65. No matter what I would never drain our account and neither would he *if* something happened. We have a lot of money set aside and neither of us has or will dip into it unless we have to. If he should take the cash and run, I have my house and its worth a lot more than he'll get away with. :)

I did however, set up automatic transfers just so I don't forget to take money out of the bank. I'll just have to move it all back so we can load a credit card to pay for the ticket.

Have fun planning your trip! My daughter and I are planning to do Workaway vacations. We're going to do a first trip next year. If all goes well, I'll be retiring after I pay my house off in a few years and we are planning to travel full time for a year or two. Things might change by then, so I may be doing this by myself if she changes her mind.

Have fun planning and vacationing! Y'all are going in the winter for a break from the cold?

be sure Deb to take enough cash just to do some of the offered trips or excursions that are separate from your all inclusive.

I'll look for that book. :) Thanks for showing it to me. Yes, we want to go during the winter months. They say between December and May is best. I can't do December because I work retail so hoping for January. And I've heard about having lots of extra smaller bills for tipping hotel staff and wait staff.

It'll be a great trip and you won't be hamstrung in your touring options as US citizens are under Trump's policies.

We went on a cruise to Cuba several months ago. It was interesting. Life in a communist country, is something to see. Be sure to take a bus tour.

If you're feeling brave, go Airbnb. :)

Fun!! You're going to have an adventure!