Wooooohooooo! Mr W and I just booked our honeymoon in January. Yes we have been married for 2 years, and are FINALLY going to Hawaii for our honeymoon. We never took a honeymoon after our wedding, we had done it without incurring more debt, and were broke. Recently, much debate has been going on in the Wooly household. After all, we are very aware of our debt and impending parenthood. However, we also have been longing for a proper vacation, even more now with the baby on its way. Solution: spend some money, inherit some money, and (yes we are speaking to you Wooly Woman) try not to fret too much at night about it. I will tell you how we are paying for this vacation- and no this isn't a tale about credit cards folks- but first I have to tell you about the turning point. My parents were here for lunch on the weekend and we told them how I can't collect EI while on maternity leave. We had previously mentioned we were considering going to Hawaii so they asked if we were still going. We were honest and said we didn't know and then my father, Mr. Conservative when it comes to saving and money said: "We have found that sometimes in life you just can't wait, you have to do it." I was stunned. My parents know how much debt we have, some of it to them. They even offered to skip one of their payments temporarily if it meant we could go. We thanked them, but money is not currently the problem, it just will be tighter in the future without me working. One HUGE factor in this trip is that my grandmother is giving all 10 of her grandchildren some of our inheritance at Christmas. I know this will be $1000 from her, very generous! We have a budget of spending $3000 on this trip, and so far are on track. We will be staying in a condo and will eat in, saving money. The remaining $2000 is sitting in our bank account right now from an exceptionally good month in October (which has also built up our cushion again in the business thank goodness). We can afford this trip eh? And then work really hard again when we get back. Interesting tidbit about the new babe on its way- its brain is now transmitting messages even though it is still tiny. Is that not amazing?
I always tell people at work who don't have kids yet to make sure they do some travelling while they can - particularly if they like active trips such as skiing etc.
Mike
And yes, it is amazing about your baby. I went for my first ultrasound at 12 weeks (which I think is right about where you are?), and not only was the little brain transmitting, but the little muscles were receiving, as evidenced by a full body wiggle on-screen. That being said, I wouldn't be expecting higher-level math for a while yet. ;)
And so happy about the baby too! One thing I love about my part-time job is getting to spend time with new babies every day. They're so tiny and yet they work. Even preemies.
But yeah, no higher-level math yet. ;)
Have a good trip!