Family Vacation in the Middle of Baby Step 2?

[Nathaniel Scott]

Before I started my baby steps on the first of January '08, I had been planning a family vacation for the summer of '08. About two months into things-after listening to Dave Ramsey and reading Total Money Makeover and paying of almost 5k of debt-I found myself asking if it was ok to take this vacation. I had several reasons I tried to justify it. It had been ten years since I had been out to this beautiful family location. My grandparents (who I have seen a few times in those ten years) are getting older (mid to upper 80's). And we were going to pay "cash" for the trip (but still thousands in debt?). The more I thought about it, it just did not make sense. I also saw how I could move the vacation out one more summer and very likely pay off the debt by the end of this year-one year earlier than planned. There's just too much that could happen in a year (sure my grandparents could pass away, but I could also loose my job). So as hard as the decision was to make, I have made up my mind to accelerate the debt pay-off and to put the vacation on hold till next summer.
What would you do (or are you doing) in a situation like this?

[R1986]

That's a tough one to call. If your grandparents are in good health and you feel like your debt will be eliminated around this time next year then you probably made the right decision. In my own opinion though, I would rather carry a financial burden rather than an emotional one and would opt for a trip if it was feasible to do so. You know your situation better than I do but if you thought it over and deliberated than it's very likely that you made the right decision.

[Azrael]

A nice recreation wouldn’t hurt from time to time, but if that is affecting your financials then that is the time you should stay out of these recreations. Of course, this is only from my point of view.

[brandon05]

I would have to agree that it would depend on the health of my grandparents. If they are ill I would have to say I would go. I would maybe shorten the length I stay but I would go. Now if they are healthy I would put it off for a year.

[Nathaniel Scott]

Just for the record, my grandparents are in good health. That definitely played into the decision.

[Joe]

i have been where you are as far as visiting gparents in other states. the thing is you never know when health will fail or a car accident will happen etc. this happened to me 5 years ago. we always vacationed in colorado where my sister, grandy, and grandpa lived. grandpa had cancer and fought it for a year. he died in november. he was buried on my birthday. two days later my sister and grandy were killed in a car accident driving from missouri back to colorado. you just never know... you aren't going to vegas, disney world, or other exotic place. family trips paid in cash sounds real good to me know matter what step you are on. just my 2 cents

[Marie]

As long as I was paying cash for it, I'd go. I know it's going to put you a little longer paying your debt off, but with aging relatives, I'd go. I wouldn't head to Vegas or go on a big shopping spree, but if the big expense is travel there and back, I'd make the sacrifice. Especially if your lodging is provided by staying with family. You have to eat no matter where you are.

This is one place where I just have to differ with the gurus. Your debt will be there, older relatives may not. That's just my 2 cents.