usvi-on-line
Feeling down :o(
Feeling down :o(
We have no plans for a vacation. Our last vacation was cut short by 5 days (Mom).
How do you do it in this economy? I see people going twice a year sometimes. We use to do that, but real life calls. Always something to pay for. i.e. taxes, insurance, mortages.
I really feel the need to get away.
Is anybody else in the same boat?
How do you do it in this economy? I see people going twice a year sometimes. We use to do that, but real life calls. Always something to pay for. i.e. taxes, insurance, mortages.
I really feel the need to get away.
Is anybody else in the same boat?
"Paradise...it's a state of mine"
Yup - only worse.....
Lost my job 2 months ago (got 6 month severance package so we're okay).
There will be no VI for us this year no matter what. We'll have to relocate for a new job and will be moving right through the winter months.
But - we resolved to get through this and be back to paradise Winter 2013!
Lost my job 2 months ago (got 6 month severance package so we're okay).
There will be no VI for us this year no matter what. We'll have to relocate for a new job and will be moving right through the winter months.
But - we resolved to get through this and be back to paradise Winter 2013!
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snorkelqueen
- Posts: 432
- Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 12:33 pm
- Location: california
My hubby had to retire in August because of serious health issues. Luckly I had already gotten air tickets and put down the deposits for the villa and Caneel. I am stressed about making the final payments in May but know that having St John to look forward to is helping us cope. And believe me - since it might be our last trip ever we are going to party!!!
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greyhoundmom
- Posts: 978
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 3:06 pm
- Location: Columbia South Carolina
We have been lucky enough to get a trip in each yr for the last 3 yrs..This past trip was flown on airmiles...and believe me...it made all the difference in the world...without them...I dont know that we would have been able to go back as we already had a trip planned to Niagara Falls.
We also stayed at Cinnamon Bay...and even stayed in a baresite...which we enjoyed...and would have no problems doing it again..but we are also campers here at home....But what we did do to make furture trips it a little less expensive..was get a card that pays you back in Miles.. we use it for gas and food..and try to pay it off asap..and the miles really rack up..if you use it right...Thats exactly how we will go back in 2012..and as far as budgeting a villa or condo...we'll so how things look then....or even back to Cinnamon (Good thing about being there is you can get away without getting a jeep) but yeah..We have mortgages..taxes..and all that jazz too..unfortunately we havent hit the lottery yet either..oh yeah...and 2 teens...lol and I just got a new van..but for us...its
#1 Budgeting the accomodations..we figure we dont spend that much time inside anyway..why pay 2 or 300 a night?..just to have somewhere to sleep..
.
#2.Use airmiles..
Heres hoping your mom is doing well and you make it back to STJ soon !!!
We also stayed at Cinnamon Bay...and even stayed in a baresite...which we enjoyed...and would have no problems doing it again..but we are also campers here at home....But what we did do to make furture trips it a little less expensive..was get a card that pays you back in Miles.. we use it for gas and food..and try to pay it off asap..and the miles really rack up..if you use it right...Thats exactly how we will go back in 2012..and as far as budgeting a villa or condo...we'll so how things look then....or even back to Cinnamon (Good thing about being there is you can get away without getting a jeep) but yeah..We have mortgages..taxes..and all that jazz too..unfortunately we havent hit the lottery yet either..oh yeah...and 2 teens...lol and I just got a new van..but for us...its
#1 Budgeting the accomodations..we figure we dont spend that much time inside anyway..why pay 2 or 300 a night?..just to have somewhere to sleep..
.#2.Use airmiles..
Heres hoping your mom is doing well and you make it back to STJ soon !!!
Good luck to everybody that replied to my post. I'm sorry about all your personal positions and I hope everything turns around for all of you.
JJ, we do use our card for miles, but the camping thing would be definety out for me (panic sets in...something with my childhood...lol)
I'm just getting back to work after not working for 6 months, so I'm hoping that will help.
Again, I hope everyone gets back sooner or later.
JJ, we do use our card for miles, but the camping thing would be definety out for me (panic sets in...something with my childhood...lol)
I'm just getting back to work after not working for 6 months, so I'm hoping that will help.
Again, I hope everyone gets back sooner or later.
"Paradise...it's a state of mine"
Connie wrote:Good luck to everybody that replied to my post. I'm sorry about all your personal positions and I hope everything turns around for all of you.
JJ, we do use our card for miles, but the camping thing would be definety out for me (panic sets in...something with my childhood...lol)
I'm just getting back to work after not working for 6 months, so I'm hoping that will help.
Again, I hope everyone gets back sooner or later.
LOL..The camping thing isnt really that bad...IF you enjoy camping...and we do...I know it isnt everyones cup of tea..and its not something I would want to do every trip..but we thought we would try it..and we enjoyed it..I dont think I would want to camp even down there in the winter months..the showers I think would be too cold...but then again I freeze at 70...so who knows..but keep in mind they also have cottages..we stayed in one in 09 and enjoyed that as well..and the location...well..is by far hard to beat..unless of course one can afford Gibney...(which I think is gorgeous)...
Connie- we can relate.
We haven't been back to STJ for 3 years now I think! Yikes! Due to money and timing and some health issues.
Living in New England, we've instead taken long weekends and done staycations to the casinos in CT (the spa at Mohegan and very luxurious) or to the waterfront in Boston.
We also just came back from a week in the White Mountains.
Not the islands, but much cheaper and just as relaxing!
We haven't been back to STJ for 3 years now I think! Yikes! Due to money and timing and some health issues.
Living in New England, we've instead taken long weekends and done staycations to the casinos in CT (the spa at Mohegan and very luxurious) or to the waterfront in Boston.
We also just came back from a week in the White Mountains.
Not the islands, but much cheaper and just as relaxing!
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GotToGetAway
- Posts: 396
- Joined: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:55 pm
- Location: FL
Someone posted an article a while back I think from NY Times about how important vacations are to people. They suggested that taking several long weekend vacations was better than 1 or 2 week long vacations. And long weekends can be much cheaper as you can drive and skip paying airfare all together. Just a thought.
Tickerless 
Weekends are great and we do have a condo at the Jersey Shore. I'm very grateful that we have that condo, but that's what we do every weekend in the summer and it can get old.
We just may look into Florida again. Been to many places down there. East Coast, West Coast and the Keys. Airfare is sure cheaper then trying to get to STT.
I guess I just like the Islands so much that I'm spoiled.
Not only did we have to leave STT 5 days early and the stress at that time was super high, but the weather we had wasn't good at all. It feels like we didn't have a vacation at all.
Oh well....there's always hope
We just may look into Florida again. Been to many places down there. East Coast, West Coast and the Keys. Airfare is sure cheaper then trying to get to STT.
I guess I just like the Islands so much that I'm spoiled.
Not only did we have to leave STT 5 days early and the stress at that time was super high, but the weather we had wasn't good at all. It feels like we didn't have a vacation at all.
Oh well....there's always hope
"Paradise...it's a state of mine"
Hey Connie,
I feel your pain. Times are tough for some. We, too, have been taking several long weekend excursions. It is cheaper and serves the purpose of "getting away".
We're lucky to have family in CA and I just watch for $150/rt airfare and book it. We can also get to Vegas for next to nothing and have friends that work there that can get us cheap hotel rates.
We repay those family & friends with gift cards for things they like or pass deals onto them.
Tap into your resources. In tough times, folks go back to exchanging goods.
Just a thought.
I feel your pain. Times are tough for some. We, too, have been taking several long weekend excursions. It is cheaper and serves the purpose of "getting away".
We're lucky to have family in CA and I just watch for $150/rt airfare and book it. We can also get to Vegas for next to nothing and have friends that work there that can get us cheap hotel rates.
We repay those family & friends with gift cards for things they like or pass deals onto them.
Tap into your resources. In tough times, folks go back to exchanging goods.
Just a thought.
Thanks Terry. I do have a cousin that has a place down in Florida, so we're seeing if we could exchange some work for a stay. Husband is an amazing Handyman, so that may work out.
I haven't worked in 6 mos. (my decision), but i'm going back to work on Tuesday. It's 1/2 the pay, but I know I'll be happier and at least keep myself busy.
If the airfares went down for the Islands, we may be able to swing it, but they're crazy right now.
I miss the days when the airfare was 250.00 and they were direct flights. Now they're up to 700-800 and you have connecting flights.
Hopefully, that will change.
I haven't worked in 6 mos. (my decision), but i'm going back to work on Tuesday. It's 1/2 the pay, but I know I'll be happier and at least keep myself busy.
If the airfares went down for the Islands, we may be able to swing it, but they're crazy right now.
I miss the days when the airfare was 250.00 and they were direct flights. Now they're up to 700-800 and you have connecting flights.
Hopefully, that will change.
"Paradise...it's a state of mine"
Connie,
Thanks for posting this...I was beginning to feel like I was the only one in this position. I get so much enjoyment from the forum reading about others trips and picking up tips, but it does get depressing when several are making multiple trips in a year, and I can't budget for one. I have been trying to plan our 2nd trip to the Virgin Islands for three years.
Our house and vehicles are at that stage where things are having to be replaced, plus two kids makes it hard to save. I have enough credit card rewards for ONE airline ticket, but need four.
I hate to sacrifice not going on vacation at all for a year to save for two years......I really need a beach getaway at least once a year...I am very thankful we can drive to the beach in 5 hours....
and I have seen people post that they put aside so much money for vacation weekly or monthly...which is what I do...but when your income is cut you have to use those funds to pay bills...and I always laugh when I see a post online about money saving tips: cut out Starbucks, brown bag, etc etc.....Most people that I know live without these luxuries normally....We can't cut out something we weren't doing. We are struggling just to pay for gas in our cars, food, utilities etc...
I pray things get better and you can return. I believe we will be very appreciative and savor every moment when we finally get the chance to return....
Thanks for posting this...I was beginning to feel like I was the only one in this position. I get so much enjoyment from the forum reading about others trips and picking up tips, but it does get depressing when several are making multiple trips in a year, and I can't budget for one. I have been trying to plan our 2nd trip to the Virgin Islands for three years.
Our house and vehicles are at that stage where things are having to be replaced, plus two kids makes it hard to save. I have enough credit card rewards for ONE airline ticket, but need four.
I hate to sacrifice not going on vacation at all for a year to save for two years......I really need a beach getaway at least once a year...I am very thankful we can drive to the beach in 5 hours....
and I have seen people post that they put aside so much money for vacation weekly or monthly...which is what I do...but when your income is cut you have to use those funds to pay bills...and I always laugh when I see a post online about money saving tips: cut out Starbucks, brown bag, etc etc.....Most people that I know live without these luxuries normally....We can't cut out something we weren't doing. We are struggling just to pay for gas in our cars, food, utilities etc...
I pray things get better and you can return. I believe we will be very appreciative and savor every moment when we finally get the chance to return....
CBama wrote:Connie,
Thanks for posting this...I was beginning to feel like I was the only one in this position. I get so much enjoyment from the forum reading about others trips and picking up tips, but it does get depressing when several are making multiple trips in a year, and I can't budget for one. I have been trying to plan our 2nd trip to the Virgin Islands for three years.
Our house and vehicles are at that stage where things are having to be replaced, plus two kids makes it hard to save. I have enough credit card rewards for ONE airline ticket, but need four. it makes a big difference paying for a villa for 4 and not having someone to split the costs..I want our kids to go so that doubles expenses...
I hate to sacrifice not going on vacation at all for a year to save for two years......I really need a beach getaway at least once a year...I am very thankful we can drive to the beach in 5 hours....
and I have seen people post that they put aside so much money for vacation weekly or monthly...which is what I do...but when your income is cut you have to use those funds to pay bills...and I always laugh when I see a post online about money saving tips: cut out Starbucks, brown bag, etc etc.....Most people that I know live without these luxuries normally....We can't cut out something we weren't doing. We are struggling just to pay for gas in our cars, food, utilities etc...
I pray things get better and you can return. I believe we will be very appreciative and savor every moment when we finally get the chance to return....
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Berlingirl
- Posts: 499
- Joined: Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:09 pm
- Location: New England
Ok...when there is a will there is always a way...
My thoughts...
Connie...how about renting out your Jersey shore place for a week or a long weekend a few times a month? Put that money towards a trip to STJ. Probably going into the "off" season now but food for thought for the future. That seems to be an "untapped" resource that you have available to you that many of the posters probably don't. Plus you can use it when it's not being rented out. Hope you get back to STJ someday soon!!!
My thoughts...
Connie...how about renting out your Jersey shore place for a week or a long weekend a few times a month? Put that money towards a trip to STJ. Probably going into the "off" season now but food for thought for the future. That seems to be an "untapped" resource that you have available to you that many of the posters probably don't. Plus you can use it when it's not being rented out. Hope you get back to STJ someday soon!!!
Hoping for a USVI ticker in 2013!