Next year, 2010, will bring great things for the TBS household. Our only child will graduate from high school and hopefully enter the college of his choice. Mr TBS and I will celebrate 10 years of matrimony, as well.
After we've gotten The Boy off to school, we've decided to take a trip to Paris, France in celebration of our marriage. Over the weekend, we discussed how much fun this might be. It would be our first time to Paris and we'd have the opportunity to experience this significant event together. *swoon*
Mr TBS and I have decided that we will plan this trip without the aid of credit cards. This decision, of course, means a deliberate savings plan and that the plan, Operation Oui Oui, begins right now. We will put $200 per month toward our trip until we depart in November 2010.
In addition to our financial health, Operation Oui Oui dictates that we intend to be in our best physical shape. In addition to ramping up our individual exercise, Mr TBS and I will be joining Weight Watchers this week. We view it as an investment in ourselves and each other. Our Weight Watchers classes will also give us another "date" (and I love those) each week.
So join us in our excitement! We will definitely be enjoying Paris on a budget and I can't wait.
*adjusting my virtual beret*
Have you ever implemented long-term planning for a vacation? Any tips/ideas? Been to Paris?
Yeah! I'm way excited. I did a semester abroad in Paris many moons ago and had the best time. I returned sadely only for a day with my mom about 10 years ago and really need to get back there. Paris is magnificent and get ready to walk because I think that's the best way to truly visit. I think you guys are doing a great job with financially planning this vacation as of now. I generally use my tax return as a vacation savings plan which isn't the best idea.
ReplyDeleteOMG, this is fabulous! I am so excited for you two. Your international experience together will exceed your wildest dreams. How romantic! And I give a standing ovation for paying cash for this trip. My husband Eric and I are on baby step 2 of the Dave Ramsey financial plan as we seek to live debt free. We have no credit cards and pay cash for everything. Can you imagine how much you will enjoy your trip knowing that it's already paid for?!!! You won't come home with bills and spend the next 2 or 3 years paying off that trip. You'll be able to truly relax, soak up the experience, and share all your wonderful photos and stories with friends and family. Bravo, bravo.
ReplyDeleteI am currently saving to take my oldest to Japan for her high school graduation present. We have some time to save as she is only a 6th grader. But I want to spend 1 month or two there with friends and there is a lot I want to show her and experience with her in that fabulous country as I lived there for some time. Saving a little over a long period of time is always better than cramming.
Hurray for Sensei and Mr. TBS!
Tre bien! We must chat during our next outing and I can give you the full 411 from our trip - we had a ball on budget!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think it's fantastic that you & Mr.TBS hubby are doing WW together! Last year the Husband & I joined together and it was such a great bonding experience for us! We were able to encourage and support each other. I used to dread the weigh ins, but we went to meetings Sat AM together and then went out for a healthy breakfast to celebrate and those were some of our best dates ever!
Wow! How fabulous! I love that you have decided to pay cash for this trip. I'm excited for you! We plan to go to Europe also for our 20th anniversary in 2011. I can't wait to hear about your "budget-friendly", but FABULOUS adventures! Good luck with Weight Watchers!
ReplyDeleteHi TBS!!! Sounds like a great plan for a fabulous trip. A couple of ideas: I used Hotwire for my hotels in Europe last fall. They were great hotels at unbelievable prices. An added bonus is that you pay in USD versus Euro. I highly recommend it.
ReplyDeleteIf you have Hilton points it might be well worth it to stay there. The hotel is one block from the Eiffel Tower and staff is friendly.
I look forward to hearing about the planning and progress with WW. You go girl!!
You can absolutely do Paris on a budget. I highly recommend tripadvisor.com for specifics on hotels, activities, etc. The forums there are good for that kind of info. Paris is wonderfully beautiful and you will have a great time.
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone for the feedback and ideas!
ReplyDeleteKeep 'em coming.
I've been to Paris and I love it. (The French...no so much however. LOL!)
ReplyDeleteRobby handles the travel planning and before I met him all I needed was 14 day advance for buying my ticket so I will be reading and learning from you for sure!
I've been to Paris twice and both times it was wonderful. The croissants, the sites, the shopping is fantastic. And...a little tip. If you try to speak a wee bit of french, you'd be surprised at how far that will get you. A little bonjour there, merci here will work wonders. After living in Europe for 5 years, I found the french to be extremely welcoming. Have fun and don't let the metro frighten you. It's not so hard if you study up on the stops a little bit ahead of time. But most of all...Enjoy and appreciate every minute because it will go by in a flash!
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for the trip, your plan and your Weight Watchers "dates!" Love it! And, you're going to love Paris...
ReplyDeleteWinks & Smiles,
Wifey
So excited for you and your husband! You will love, love, love Paris and everything the city has to offer!
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Paris is fabulous, and I know you'll lap up all the fabulosity it has to offer. Congrats on the WW, too! I've always found it's the best way to lose - and keep off - the pounds!
ReplyDeleteHow fun! I haven't been to Paris in almost 20 years, but had a ball! I can only imagine how much fun it'll be for you and your honey.
ReplyDeleteI went to China in November after saving for a year and a half. I was bound and determined to pay cash for everything - and I did. I was so "cash only" insistent that I didn't even take a cc with me. (Not very wise in hindsight - thankfully I had no emergencies) Anyhow, I did what you all are planning to do - set aside a certain amount every month. I had a self-imposed deadline for airfare/hotel and one for souvenirs/spending money. I also determined that I wasn't going to buy a lot of junky knick knacks. I've decided that I will buy myself jewelry when I travel abroad. I bought a fabulous ceramic necklace and a black pearl for my charm bracelet and those were the only souvenirs I bought myself. Had a ball and didn't have any financial guilt.
What fun! I've been to Paris a couple of times. I spent a month there the winter before I moved to Atlanta. Let me know if you need any info or want to look through a gazillion pics.
ReplyDeleteLosing weight before you go is a great idea because it is so easy to put on ten pounds from all the creme brulee, frites and bread and butter. And the wine!
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ReplyDeleteBefore we went to NYC this year on vacation, we asked everybody we knew who lived in the Big Apple or went there frequently to suggest low-price eateries. I KNOW you know folks who've lived in, worked in, or have been to Paris, so put out the word that you'd like to hear where to eat on the cheap. We ended up making a spread sheet and even introduced the locals to places they'd never heard of.
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